Regional Finance Director
BCW APAC, Singapore

The Role:

As a Regional Finance Director, you will report directly to the APAC Chief Financial Officer and will be responsible for providing high-quality strategic and technical advice on all business matters. You will demonstrate a growth mindset and proactively collaborate with finance teams across the markets in the APAC to maintain sound business practices and operations and support growth of the business in the APAC.

Core Responsibilities

Regional Financial Reporting

• Manage the monthly/quarterly financial reporting process for the region
• Ensure the accuracy and timely collection and analysis of financial data
• Reconcile management reporting to GAAP reporting
• Advise CFO/CEO and local leaders/Finance Director on local compliance with reporting requirements
• Serve as an on-call troubleshooter for the regional business

Regional Business Management

• Build strong partnership relationships within the Regional Team, Market Leaders and Finance Director
• Co-ordinate inputs to global and regional pitches
• Assist with Key Client Relationship reporting, pricing and contract negotiating
• Work with the Regional CEO and local Market Leaders in the development of the annual budget and forecasts for the region
• Monitor progress against budget/reforecasts, interpret operating results, understand causal relationships and identify corrective actions
• Prepare analysis and business modeling, highlighting risks and opportunities to support commercial decision making

• Know the current financial and operating position of the region and markets at all times

• Manage the analysis, reporting and compliance of regional and market tax and treasury initiatives

• Monitor the billing and collections status of significant clients in the region i.e. Net Working Capital

• Work with local FDs and Client Leaders to ensure timely billing and collections on all clients

• Ensure compliance with write-off and reserve policies

• Create and manage informal systems to continue collection efforts after write-offs

• Monitor capital expenditures and ensure they remain within budget

• Coordinate with other regions on client, staff, and billing issues across region

Market Support-Commercial and Legal

• Review plans, provide counsel and offer creative solutions to Market Leaders/FDs regarding the financial aspects of new and existing business
• Assist with the markets on clients’ demand on resources
• Review and approve significant contracts and client agreements
• Train all client service staff in economic and business fundamentals
• Assist on local markets’ crisis
• Legal structure - Registered Directorship, Auditor and Supervisor under Company Register in APAC markets
• Assist on the internal audit e.g. WPP IA, SOX Audit, ESG Audit, IT Audit
• Ensure compliance with local tax and statutory regulations

Regional Policy and Controls WPP policies, SOX

• Ensure that all markets maintain the highest level of internal and operating controls and are SOX compliant
• Act as the Regional SOX Controller and the main point of contact with WPP
• Liaise with Global Risk and Control team on Special Projects
• Provide regular guidance to FDs on SOX to ensure effective understanding and commitment
• Asist SOX audits of individual markets
• Audit financial policy adherence and ensure compliance
• Suggest corrective action when significant deviation occurs
• Manage relationships and requirements of Internal and External Auditors

Staff Development/Resources Management

• Train the regional staff and all local FDs in relevant accounting policies and controls
• Prepare and act on the Professional Development Plans for all Finance Directors and appropriate regional staff seniors
• Recruit, mentor and coach senior finance staff in the region
  

Special Projects Initiatives

• Lead the implementation and development of any system
• Design processes to standardize and simplify financial reporting and analysis
• Suggest solutions to local statutory issues
• Support regional acquisition and divestiture initiatives
• Manage other projects as assigned

Other Responsibilities

• Represent the Region to internal and external constituents and serve as an on-call troubleshooter for the regional business

Requirements

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance; CPA/CA qua

Job Rewards and Benefits