Head of Accounting & Finance

Our client, a rapidly growing organization with a strong presence in Japan, is seeking an experienced and driven Finance Manager to lead their Accounting and Tax function. This is a strategic role for a finance professional who thrives in dynamic environments and is capable of building robust internal structures to support continued business expansion.

In the short to mid-term, the successful candidate will focus on strengthening the internal Finance team, optimizing operational workflows, and implementing effective financial controls. Looking ahead, the role will take ownership of in-sourcing the full accounting function and spearheading the implementation of an ERP system.

Position Overview

Reporting Line: Local Senior Management & Global Finance Team
Team Structure:

• Direct Reports: 1 Accountant, 1 Junior Financial Analyst
• Indirect Oversight: 1 Administrative Clerk
• External Partner: Coordination with outsourced accounting firm

Key Responsibilities

Finance Operations

• Oversee contract management, client invoicing, and receivables
• Ensure efficient billing and collection processes

Accounting & Tax

• Ensure accurate and compliant Japanese GAAP reporting
• Review and validate key inputs for bookkeeping
• Oversee revenue recognition and accruals (bonuses, vacation pay, bad debt, etc.)
• Supervise and confirm work performed by the external accounting provider
• Review tax calculations and filings executed by outsourced partners

Controlling & Internal Processes

• Monitor project gross margins and general administrative costs
• Develop and implement internal financial controls, policies, and procedures

Management Reporting

• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc management reports
• Deliver insightful margin and P&L analyses by business unit
• Partner with business leaders to support data-driven decisions

Group Reporting

• Lead IFRS-based reporting to headquarters
• Prepare financial statements including P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow
• Drive annual budgeting and forecasting processes

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain relationships with auditors, tax authorities, and financial institutions
• Support integration of newly acquired entities, including financial systems and KPI tracking
• Provide ad-hoc support to local leadership and global finance stakeholders

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in accounting and finance leadership within a multinational or fast-scaling environment
• Strong knowledge of Japanese GAAP and IFRS
• Hands-on experience with ERP implementation is a plus
• Strategic mindset with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams

• Dynamic and proven leader with a track record of building, developing, and managing high-performing finance teams in fast-growing organizations
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Finance or Accounting; CPA or ACCA qualification preferred
• 5–8 years of professional experience in Finance
  • Ideally includes 2–3 years in an international audit firm
  • At least 3 years as a Finance Manager within a multinational company in Japan
• Industry experience in services, IT consulting, or software is a plus (not mandatory)
• Strong expertise in Japanese tax law and accounting practices
• Deep knowledge of international accounting standards (IFRS or US GAAP)
• Experience working with European or US headquarters
• Familiarity with Japanese ERP systems; experience in ERP implementation and in-sourcing of accounting functions is highly desirable
• Detail-oriented and numerically strong, with the ability to think analytically and see the bigger picture
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial concepts to both finance and non-finance stakeholders
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills and a customer service mindset—treating internal colleagues as clients
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, especially advanced Excel skills
• Fluent in English and Japanese (both written and spoken)