This role is part of the Finance Business Services (FBS) team, a regional service center that ensures accuracy, compliance consistency and efficiency in all financial accounting and reporting activities across APAC markets and being a key business partner to provide key financial data, insights, accounting expertise to our stakeholders that support management team to make financial and business decisions.
The Financial Controller position in the market serves as an accounting in-charge to take full ownership of the financial closing process and leading the accounting operations for the Taiwan market. The incumbent will proactively manage the month-end and year-end closing cycles, oversee day to day accounting activities and provide leadership to a high performing accounting team. By acting as a key business partner to both local and regional stakeholders, the incumbent will drive operational excellence, foster compliance with company policies and relevant regulations, and support strategic business decision-making through insightful financial analysis.
In addition, the Financial Controller builds and maintains strong external relationships with auditors, tax advisors and financial institutions to ensure compliance, transparency, and timely resolution of financial matters. As a business partner for solutions, the incumbent will collaborate cross functionally to identify process improvements, implement best practices, and provide financial guidance that enables effective problem solving and supports business growth.
Reporting directly to Head of Financial Accounting & Reporting, North Asia and SEAA with a matrix reporting line to the Market CFO. The key responsibility of this roles is to:
Financial Accounting & Reporting related
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of financial statements; take full accountability for the quality of local financial books and compliance of all financial submissions to local, regional, global, and external stakeholders (e.g., external auditors, local authorities). Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local market accounting and tax regulations to ensure statutory compliance.
Ensure accounting and financial related control activities are properly in place (including AP, AR, GLs, inventory, and fixed assets), which also cover but not limited to plan and coordinate annual stock counts, cycle count reviews, physical fixed asset counting & disposal of assets and ensure a proper Segregation of Duties in the way of working among the Finance Business Services team;
• Be responsible for handling local specific procedures to comply with local regulatory requirements; and address any local accounting and reporting gaps.
• Serve as the primary contact point for local business, regional & global enquiry about the actual financial data/reports and accounting treatment.
• Provide insights on the financial statements to market CFOs, highlight any operational issues or deficiencies based on the financial statements, and propose actions to be taken.
• Play a critical role to build a collaborative “one team” dynamics with local finance team and be a proactive partner with local stakeholders to drive collaboration and resolve any coordination barrier across Finance Business Service team and stakeholders;
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational efficiency in accounting related E2E processes, delivering exceptional service to the market management team.
Tax operation and Compliance
• Maintain strong expertise in local tax matter and serves as the main point of contact for local tax authorities for any tax enquiry, leveraging Tax CoE and local tax consultants to support market CFO in solving tax related issues;
• Serve as the primary problem solving liaison with external auditor, tax consultant with internal team members for annual tax review/audit, and address any tax related issues as they arise and ensure statutory requirements are met, including audit planning, preparation of financial data and explanations, as well as managing closing meeting with the market CFO;
• Collaborate with Tax CoE on CIT computation and filings; evaluate the implications of new or amended tax regulations;
• Prepare and submit CIT, VAT, WHT and TP calculations, managing tax exceptions and ensure timely, accurate submissions;
• Play a critical role in aligning tax processes with evolving business models and regulatory changes.
Treasury related
• Act as the primary liaison with banks/merchants for operational support
• Prepare dividend payments as required
Business Partnership and Leadership
• Lead the local Finance Business Services (FBS) team, partner closely with Market CFO, other finance domains, and regional teams to foster a strong unified finance culture;
• Lead and drive projects/assignments that can help the financial health of business (e.g. aged PO follow up, Coupa/Concur training) leveraging expertise and collaboration across FBS network;
• Manage customer credit limits and stock release approvals; oversee CSR and ESG reporting, ensure timely reporting in global system;
• Orchestrate the preparation of license application (as applicable);
• Lead responsibility for reporting, deliver insights, and facilitate regular meetings.
• Serve as the Taiwan liaison and Subject-matter expert (SME) for Core finance and related processes communication with regional.
Academic/Professional Qualifications
• University degree
• Professional qualification holder (CPA/CA/ICAA) or equivalent
Work Experience
• Minimum12 years working experience, including at least 5 years in managerial roles with leading teams on multiple occasions.
• Big 4 audit experience, hands on experience in accounting operations and corporate finance environment:
• Strong business acumen with comprehensive understanding of ERP system and accounting end to end processes is an advantage and a person who has a well-rounded accounting operation knowledge and solid expertise in financial accounting & reporting and demonstrate a strong understanding of market specificities and requirements
• Fluent in English and Mandarin are a must
Required Competencies
• Passion and comfortable to be in a matrix organization with a strong one team spirit to work closely with market CFO and regional management.
• Able to articulate and possess demonstrated leadership capabilities and people management skills.
• Strong interpersonal effectiveness, positiveness, and passion for result/achievement.
• Excellent analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Growth mindset and be willing to adapt to the everchanging business landscape
• Ability to see both the big picture and the details
• Highly self-motivated and directed.
• Strong customer service orientation and continue seeking area of improvements
• Work well within different level of finance and accounting teams
Top Skills
What We Do
CHANEL is a private company and a world leader in creating, developing, manufacturing and distributing luxury products.
Founded by Gabrielle Chanel at the beginning of the last century, CHANEL offers a broad range of high-end creations, including Ready-to-Wear, Leather Goods, Fashion Accessories, Eyewear, Fragrances, Makeup, Skincare, Jewelry and Watches. CHANEL is also renowned for its Haute Couture collections, presented twice yearly in Paris, and for having acquired a large number of specialized suppliers, collectively known as the Métiers d’Art. CHANEL is dedicated to ultimate luxury and to the highest level of craftsmanship.
It is a brand whose core values remain historically grounded on exceptional creation. As such, CHANEL promotes culture, art, creativity and “savoir-faire” throughout the world, and invests significantly in people, R&D and innovation.
At the end of 2019, CHANEL employed more than 28,000 people across the world.
