Assistant Manager / Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis

Primary Purpose and Function of this position:

To Organization:

- This position is set up to lead Financial Planning & Analysis team to oversee all management accounting functions for the business operation in Malaysia, managing all aspects relating to cost control, budgeting, and to provide appropriate analysis support to business management in the formulation of business plans in Malaysia.

- A check and balance role for internal control, ensuring each department develops, implements and adheres to internal business control procedures and code of ethics, with an aim to reduce mistakes, prevent improper behavior or absolute control over decision.

- Use financial information to constructively challenge current and potential business activity in order to increase profits and improve processes. Work with the business team to develop a working understanding of all commercial agreements in the Business Stream, identifying risks and mitigations where appropriate.

To Business:

- This position is to work in tandem with business stakeholders/leaders to identify opportunities/areas for improvement, providing professional support to Malaysia General Manager or business leaders to strive for business improvement.

Act as a key business partner and/or advisor to the Business Stakeholders (Malaysia General Manager & Business leaders), contributing to the development of strategic business plan by providing true and prudent financial and business analysis for reference and decision-making support. The incumbent has a strategically focused remit with an emphasis on driving the business forward and making a positive impact on the top and bottom line of the business stream.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Oversee the financial management accounting function & team for the business operations in Malaysia, managing and monitoring all business planning and financial management activities to ensure financial plans and budget are met, to develop and communicate budget and planning model assumptions to all Malaysia stakeholders.
2. Support and work in tandem with Malaysia General Manager to manage the P&L for the business operations in Malaysia, by providing true and prudent analysis on sales performance and operating cost, effective financial analysis and modeling for optimum solutions and business insight necessary for key decision making to improve the Company’s financial performance.
3. Ensure sufficient checks and balances to safeguard the Company interest, making sure relevant stakeholders (Malaysia General Manager/Business Leaders and/or Direct Supervisor/Group Finance Director and/or Group CEO/Chairman) are extensively and systematically engaged in planning and implementation, with fair access to the required information and understand its decision making process, with an aim to reduce mistakes, prevent improper behavior or absolute control over decision. e.g. shop contribution analysis by shop.
4. Prepare and present the annual/seasonal/monthly/weekly budget, financial plans, business plans, feasibility studies, investment memoranda and all other financial and business documents as may be required from time to time by the Company/Top Management. Implement continuous financial audit and review to monitor the performance, its flow of funds, the adherence to the budget, the expenditures, the income, the cost of sales and other budgetary items, closely monitor and report on its variance and the potential risks and opportunities.
5. Conduct regular analysis of key cost drivers (e.g. CAPEX as renovation expenditures, key operating cost as rental & manpower, etc.) of the respective regional operations in Malaysia, identify cost optimization alternatives, and recommend the possible solution to Malaysia General Manager/Business Stakeholders to rationalize its priorities for the best benefit of the Company as necessary.
6. Train and motivate the financial planning and analysis team to provide high levels of service and support to the Business in an effective manner.

Job Requirements:

1. University graduate in Finance, Accounting or other related disciplines.
2. Qualified Accountant with ICAEW/ACCA/CPA/MIA certification or equivalent professional qualification as required in Malaysia.
3. Minimum 3 years of experience in Finance, with focus in business financial planning, analysis, modeling, and forecasting, and supporting multiple functional areas, preferably in retail sector.
4. Proven track record of forming strong working partnerships with senior business leaders to effectively support and execute the company’s objectives.
5. Expert analytical skills and financial modeling techniques, with ability to build and convey business insight.
6. Superior communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to distill complex matters in concise and sufficient detail and to succinctly identify and communicate key issues of importance.
7. Understanding of financial processes in accounting, tax, and treasury to identify and inform of relevant matters.
8. Strong organizational skills, encompassing an extremely high attention to detail, a strong ownership-ethic and intense focus on accuracy and accountability.