Accounting Manager

Posted 6 Hours Ago
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Tokyo, JPN
Hybrid
Senior level
Automotive • Big Data • Information Technology • Robotics • Software • Transportation • Manufacturing
We make amazing products people love, for every journey.
The Role
Leads GM Japan controllership, financial close, reporting, US and Japan GAAP compliance, SOX controls, tax and statutory activities, audits, balance-sheet governance, shared services, and accounting transformation. Provides commercial accounting guidance, oversees SAP-enabled processes, manages stakeholder relationships, and develops the Japan controllership team. The role requires hands-on execution, strategic judgment, and professional fluency in Japanese and English.
Summary Generated by Built In
Description
Work Arrangement
This role is categorized as on-site. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to GM Japan Headquarter office in Tokyo, Japan full time.
The Role -
General Motors is seeking a strategic, hands-on Manager, Controller to lead GM Japan controllership, including applicable GMOD Singapore and GMOD/ACD Japan activities. The role owns Japan's reporting and accounting integrity, partnering with leadership, GMIO Controllers, Global Business Services, Tax, Treasury, Legal, Operations, and other stakeholders. It combines technical judgment with operational leadership to deliver a strong close, controls, shared services, statutory compliance, and commercial guidance.
What You'll Do -
Controllership and reporting
  • Own monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, including entries, analysis, variance review, reporting packages, and submissions to GM headquarters and regional stakeholders.
  • Ensure accurate financial statements and disclosures under US GAAP, Japan GAAP, statutory requirements, and GM policy.
  • Govern trial balances, reporting, close calendars, escalation paths, chart of accounts, cost centers, profit centers, and master data.

Controls, compliance, and audit
  • Own Japan's SOX/ICFR and risk-based non-SOX controls, including reconciliations, reports, end-user computing, entries, approvals, and documentation.
  • Monitor aged items, control exceptions, and audit findings; lead remediation with Financial Assurance, Internal Audit, external auditors, and regional and corporate Controllers.
  • Maintain operating procedures, process documentation, and business-continuity plans for retained and outsourced activities.

Tax and statutory leadership
  • Coordinate Japan corporate, consumption, local, and deferred tax activities with internal and external Tax partners.
  • Oversee tax returns, tax reporting packages, statutory financial statements, transfer-pricing documentation, and the Japan local file process.
  • Act as senior contact for auditors and authorities; translate local requirements into controls and ensure accurate, timely filings.

Business and commercial accounting
  • Provide accounting guidance for dealer programs, incentives, deposits, revenue deductions, commercial terms, logistics, and initiatives.
  • Review contracts and transactions, document conclusions, obtain approvals, and escalate significant or non-standard matters to Technical Accounting, Controllers, Tax, Legal, or other specialists.
  • Oversee accounting for vehicle and product sales and purchases, reserves, freight accruals, and other Japan activities; partner cross-functionally on assumptions, forecasts, contracts, and outcomes.

Balance sheet, cash, and assets
  • Lead balance-sheet governance, including reconciliations, intercompany balances, aged receivables, dealer balances and guarantees, and resolution of open items.
  • Oversee fixed assets, depreciation and amortization, asset listings, and inventory and fixed-asset counts.
  • Partner with Treasury and Finance leadership on cash forecasting, liquidity, intercompany funds transfers, related controls, and intercompany-loan accounting and tax requirements.

Shared services, systems, and transformation
  • Lead Global Business Services and provider relationships, with clear ownership, service expectations, escalation, and performance measures.
  • Use SAP and GM reporting, consolidation, reconciliation, and workflow tools to improve data, close execution, controls, and transparency.
  • Drive close acceleration, automation, standardization, analytics, system and process changes, migrations, and control redesign while protecting continuity and reducing manual effort.

Leadership and talent
  • Build and develop a high-performing Japan controllership team and future Finance talent; set expectations, coach team members, and foster collaboration and inclusion.
  • Establish effective ways of working across Japan Finance, GMIO, Global Business Services, Tax, and global Controllers, influencing across functions and geographies.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
  • Significant multinational controllership, accounting, financial reporting, or audit experience, with demonstrated leadership of close, financial statements, balance-sheet governance, audits, and controls.
  • Strong knowledge of US GAAP and Japan GAAP or Japan statutory accounting and tax requirements.
  • Experience with SAP, reporting, consolidation, reconciliation, workflow, or journal-entry platforms.
  • Experience governing shared services or outsourced accounting, influencing stakeholders, and supporting commercial initiatives through technical accounting and contract review.
  • Team leadership experience; professional fluency in Japanese and English; strong judgment, analytical, communication, escalation, and decision-making skills.
  • Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • CPA, USCPA, CA, Japan CPA, or equivalent certification.
  • Automotive, mobility, manufacturing, distribution, or dealer-industry experience.
  • Japan tax or statutory reporting and finance transformation, automation, accelerated close, migration, data governance, or analytics experience.

About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day - individually and collectively - to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Total Rewards | Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us [email protected] or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline
  • Significant multinational controllership, accounting, financial reporting, or audit experience
  • Leadership experience overseeing financial close, financial statements, balance-sheet governance, audits, and controls
  • Strong knowledge of US GAAP and Japan GAAP or Japan statutory accounting and tax requirements
  • Experience with SAP and reporting, consolidation, reconciliation, workflow, or journal-entry platforms
  • Experience governing shared services or outsourced accounting
  • Experience influencing stakeholders and supporting commercial initiatives through technical accounting and contract review
  • Team leadership experience
  • Professional fluency in Japanese and English
  • Strong judgment, analytical, communication, escalation, and decision-making skills
  • Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution
  • CPA, USCPA, CA, Japan CPA, or equivalent certification
  • Automotive, mobility, manufacturing, distribution, or dealer-industry experience
  • Japan tax or statutory reporting experience
  • Finance transformation, automation, accelerated close, migration, data governance, or analytics experience

What the Team is Saying

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The Company
HQ: Detroit, MI
165,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1908

What We Do

At General Motors, our vision is to create a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion. We wholeheartedly embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer, and more equitable for all. Our industry and company are undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime technological transformation, which is reshaping our approach to technology and innovation. We are expanding our horizons through new technology platforms and driving innovations that deliver exceptional value to our customers.

Why Work With Us

At General Motors, our purpose is to pioneer the innovations that move and connect people to what matters. We’re driving the world forward, together. We’re building vehicle software alongside its hardware, hands-free driving that will lead to autonomy, and EVs that charge your home for an all-electric future.

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