Accounting Manager - Tokyo, Japan

Accounting Manager

Are you interested in fast-paced, energetic, collaborative environments? Are you interested in an organization where Accounting is considered as key strategic role for growth. If so,CIC Japan is seeking an Accounting Manager to strengthen its accounting function in a growing and dynamic environment. This role will oversee accounting operations across multiple Japan entities, manage a small team, and ensure the integrity of financial reporting and processes.The position will also support the development of scalable finance operations as the business expands across Asia.This position reports directly to the Finance Director Japan.

ABOUT CIC & CIC TOKYO

CIC is a global leader in building and operating innovation communities. Founded in 1999 in Cambridge, MA, CIC is one of the first companies to offer flexible office space and coworking options, providing a platform for the world’s most impactful entrepreneurs to innovate better and faster. We have locations in Boston, Cambridge, Philadelphia, Providence, Rotterdam, St. Louis, Warsaw, and Tokyo, and are growing into other cities. CIC Tokyo is our newest site and the first located in Asia. Opened in October 2020 in one of the business districts of Minato-ku, CIC Tokyo is a one-of-a-kind innovation-oriented center in Japan with a total area of ​​about 6,000 square meters on the 15th and 16th floors of the Toranomon Hills Business Tower. We provide a vast workspace with the capacity to house more than 250 companies. CIC Tokyo is centered on companies that aim to grow, and communities and services that are looking to accelerate their business growth and global expansion. Because of its influence in startup and innovation scenery, CIC Tokyo has frequent visits of VIPs such as  Prime Minister Kishida, Governor Koike, and other business leaders in Japan. CIC Tokyo is now recognized as a prestigious center of new businesses and startups in Japan by business leaders in Japan.

Learn more about us here.

YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK

You will engage in the preparation of reliable and adequate financial and operational reports. You will be encouraged to give solicited and unsolicited advice on accounting operations and be expected to be determined to make the accounting control of the month-end closing a success. 

You will be involved in projects from an accounting point of view and assist with issues and preparing the annual accounts. You are the person in charge of accounting operations and work closely with the Finance Director of Japan to support internal and external needs.

In addition to the above you will:

• Oversee full-cycle accounting (AP, AR, GL, fixed assets, accruals)

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes

• Manage and develop a team of two accounting staff

• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations

• Handle multi-entity accounting and intercompany transactions

• Ensure proper revenue and cost recognition (agent vs. principal)

• Drive process improvements and optimize NetSuite usage

• Support audit, tax, and compliance requirements

• Monitor cash flow and improve working capital management

• Collaborate with Finance Director and global teams

• Support regional expansion and shared service initiatives

 

ABOUT YOU

You are a professional with great attention to details, and leadership skills. You have strong communication and presentation skills and you are well-organized with solid time management skills. You are also able to meet deadlines while working autonomously, as well as collaboratively with all levels of the organization. You are adaptable, resilient and have the ability to work well under pressure in a demanding environment. You think creatively and critically about problems and enjoy a fast-paced startup environment.

More specifically, as our ideal candidate, you are:

• Comfortable working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels, treating everyone as an equal.

• Interested in and able to implement new format, structure to existing operations to improve efficiency.

• Adaptable and have the ability to work well under pressure in a demanding environment.

• Someone who brings a fresh perspective and new ideas to everything. We are always open to those, whether you have been with us for a week, a month or a year. 

• Strong accountability, detail-oriented and organized with solid time management skills.

• Personable, collaborative, diplomatic, hands-on and naturally enjoy helping others.

• Able to make decisions confidently with the best information available to you.

• Flexible and open to think out of the box, easily adapt to unexpected changes or problems and think creatively about solutions.

YOU HAVE

• 10+ years of accounting experience in Japan.

• 3-5 years of team management (preferably small team)

• Strong knowledge of JGAAP (IFRS/USGAAP is a plus)

• ERP experience (NetSuite preferred)

• Native Japanese and business-level English

• Experience of overseeing accounting for multi-entities

• Global or international company experience

• Process improvement or system implementation experience

• JCPA, USCPA, or equivalent