Head of Finance Transformation, Japan

Main duties and responsibilities

• Supporting the existing Finance team to internalize the accounting done today by an external third party.
• Supporting the implementation of Group Middle office systems, accounting systems, and Finance related systems.
• Streamline financial processes to reduce manual effort and increase automation.
• Improve the accuracy and timeliness of financial data and reports and provide meaningful financial insights.
• Perform business process assessments to identify process transformation opportunities and partner with business stakeholders to define and implement scalable processes leveraging automation.
• Provide Project Management support for cross-functional Finance and Accounting including system implementations, process transformations, operational improvements, and automation initiatives.

As of today, here below the main responsibilities of the Finance department:

• Establish and maintain fiscal files and records to document transactions;
• Local Tax, VAT, SII, and WHT calculation, declarations, reporting;
• Complete annual statutory audits: Strong relationship with statutory auditors;
• Recovery and payments management;
• Develop and implement improved internal controls and procedures
• Develop strong relationship with local Japanese banks;
• Support with finance expertise in local business projects to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Management

• No direct management at the beginning but as mentioned, the objective is to increase responsibilities and management opportunities if targets are achieved within a year.

Reporting and collaboration

• Reporting:
  • Solid line: Group CFO
  • Dotted line: Country Managing Director;

• Cooperates to:
  • All the finance functions within the Group, mainly Group External Reporting and FP&A
  • Local Management: Commercial, Marketing, HR, Refund Operations, Merchant Support Services and Technology and all corporate functions based in France.

Main targets and KPI’s

• Project Completion Rate: Percentage of projects completed on time.
• Automation Rate: Percentage of financial processes automated versus manual.
• Timely and quality management reporting
• Timely and quality statutory closing and annual filing

Key competencies

• Ability to develop and implement long-term financial transformation strategies aligned with the organization’s goals.
• Expertise in managing and facilitating change within an organization.
• Ability to set clear project goals, timelines, and budgets, and ensure projects are completed on time and within scope.
• Ability to communicate the vision, benefits, and impact of changes to all stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and remain resilient in the face of challenges.
• Maintaining focus and effectiveness under pressure.
• Deep understanding of finance principles, processes, and practices.
• Accounting under IFRS and local gap

Specific skills and knowledge

• Strong accounting and controlling knowledge and experience;
• Experience on IFRS reporting;
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail a must;
• Team player with social competence;
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines;
• Work independently to complete assignments;
• Strong excel skills;
• MS Office knowledge;
• English language skills (oral & written) on the advanced level.

Education / Experience

• Master degree on Economics, Accounting and or Finance;
• Highly skilled Finance candidates required;
• Between 5 to 10 years’ work experience in similar position within multinational companies;
• A first experience in Big4 will be appreciated
• Used to work in international environments with matrix organizations;
• Proved experience of local statutory accounting is a must;
• Able to work under pressure;
• Strong team player;
• Autonomous and independent, goal-oriented and self-motivating personality;
• Organizational skills and the ability to prioritize workload, flexibility, proactivity, strong time management and high analytical working skills are required on top of strong communication, delegation and planning skills;