Head of Financial Controlling

Aspire is the leading all-in-one finance operating system for growing businesses in APAC. We are on a mission to reinvent business finance for a new generation of entrepreneurs and business owners, empowering startups and MSME to realise their full potential. 

Founded in 2018, Aspire has raised over USD 300M+ across equity and debt from world-class investors. In 2023, we successfully closed an oversubscribed USD 100 million Series C equity round led by Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Ventures with participation of Tencent, Paypal Ventures, LGT Capital Partners, Picus Capital and MassMutual Ventures. To power our solutions, we have partnered with some of the best companies in the world such as Visa and Wise and helped more than 50,000 businesses using our suite of products.

For 2 consecutive years in 2022 & 2023, Aspire has been awarded Best Employer of the Year and Startup of the year by Asia FinTech Awards, and also LinkedIn’s Top Startup in Singapore. In 2023, we also made it to CB Insights’ Top 100 Global Fintech List. 

You will be amazed by the energy and experience of our team! Aspire serves as an environment for you to innovate and drive change with our team of ex-entrepreneurs, ex-founders, and high-achievers with international and diverse backgrounds.

Are you a top talent who is passionate about entrepreneurship? Join our rapidly growing team to make an impact in the fintech space! 

About the team: 

At Aspire, Finance plays a strategic role in driving our business forward. Our Finance team consists of a wide range of crucial functions across 5 verticals: (i) Financial Controlling with Financial reporting, Audit support, Cost Management, Compliance and Risk Management and Tax planning, Reporting, (ii) Treasury, which is a core function for a Fintech with Cash flow and Liquidity Risk, Treasury Product, FX Risk Management, Treasury Operation and Treasury Risk Management, (iii) Data including Business Intelligence, Data Analytics and Data Engineering, (iv) Strategy & Planning, which covers strategic road map, long term planning, fundraising and FP&A and (v) Credit Risk including risk modelling and scoring, portfolio monitoring and credit control. Our Finance team engages in frequent strategic data analysis, research, and modeling to provide the best financial insights for critical business decisions, helping Aspire navigate the competitive landscape and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The team also plays a key part as the first user of our Aspire software, pioneer in Finance transformation, reengineering our internal process to stay agile while maintaining the internal control in a hyper fast growing environment.

About the role:

At Aspire, we pride ourselves on building an amazing team. We require a highly skilled and experienced Head of Financial Controlling to join our very talented lineup, as we continue to build up this function.

Reporting to the CFO, the Head of Financial Controlling will be responsible for Aspire Group’s Accounting, Finance Operations and Financial Systems. You’ll partner with the leadership team to provide insights, information, and guidance to make strategic and operational decisions and ensure the company is financially healthy and consistently meeting our reporting obligations.

What Will You Be Doing:

• Reporting and analysis
  • Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with local standards, Group policies in IFRS and regulatory requirements
  • Oversee Group month end close process and enable accurate and efficient financial results and reporting within tight deadlines. 
  • Continually improve accounting procedures, processes and systems to ensure standardized close process and efficient operations across the Group
  • Provide accounting advisory to align business objectives, support new market entry and investments, group restructuring, valuation, and key accounting considerations
• Cost monitoring and management: Oversee Group procurement process, monitor the costs of Group clusters, departments and teams, and lead costs optimisation initiatives
• Customer Money Reconciliation: Oversee the reconciliation of customer money, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements and also implement and maintain robust processes for the reconciliation of customer accounts together with Ledger Operation and Product development teams
• Financial system: Spearhead complex financial system implementations and work closely with product development teams to establish efficient information flows for new products and ensure that financial controlling processes are integrated seamlessly into new product launches.
• Internal control: Build and evolve upon our existing internal controls, financial systems and processes to ensure accuracy of financial reporting, integrity of corporate data, finance governance compliance and the safeguarding of assets. You would also work closely with the Tax team to review Group tax filings and returns (e.g., withholding tax, VAT, annual tax returns)
• Management of the auditors: Manage the relationship with auditors, direct and participate in the preparation of all the workpapers for the audit on a timely basis including all memos for any relevant areas
• Collaboration with cross functional team: Build and grow cross-functional relationships to collaboratively work together to resolve month end issues, build new financial process relating to launch of new products and solve process efficiencies
• Management of regional financial reporting team: Lead and manage a regional team responsible for financial controlling activities across the APAC region on technical aspects (e.g., accounting updates, ESG) and the quality of financial reporting and tax, as well as provide guidance, support, and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

We would love to get to know you if you have the following: 

• Strong academic pedigree including a CA/CPA qualification or equivalent
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in financial controlling, preferably in the fintech industry
• Strong proficiency in all aspects of corporate accounting and all pertinent GAAP, rules and regulations
• Strong understanding of payment service regulations and compliance requirements in the APAC region.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to motivate and develop team members.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven track record of implementing process improvements and controls, financial system implementation and driving operational excellence.

 

#LI-NH1

What we offer

• Uncapped flexible annual leave.
• Hybrid work arrangement. 
• Training subsidy for your professional growth.
• Wellness benefit.
• Team bonding budget to foster collaboration and sense of belonging.
• Flexibility to work from anywhere (for up to 90 days per annum).
• Culture is Key: We always strive to cultivate a special culture that brings special talents together - You can learn more about our culture on our careers site and LinkedIn Life page.
  

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Aspire is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by applicable laws. 

Please note: by submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood Aspire’s Data Protection Policy for Employees, Freelancers, Contractors and Job Applicants (the “Policy”), and consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal data by Aspire for the purposes set out in the Policy. You may withdraw consent for such collection, use and disclosure, and make an access or correction request in respect of your personal data, in accordance with the Policy by emailing people@aspireapp.com.