Chief Accounting Officer

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Purpose of the role:

Chief Accounting Officer is a key management role that manages the overall financial affairs of WPP SSC MY Malaysia and assists the Managing Director on managing the stakeholders of the SSC.  The Chief Accounting Officer (‘CAO’) also ensure the implementation of standards and good practices in the management of financial information and reporting of Operating Companies (‘OpCo’s) supported by WPP SSC MY Malaysia in accordance with WPP Group policies and procedures and within the framework of SSC Target Operating Model (‘TOM’).

This role also possesses a people management and leadership responsibility to key personnel of the Record to Report (‘RTR’), Statutory and Tax Reporting (Stat & Tax), and Master Data Management (‘MDM’), Agency Finance functions; and provides support to other functional teams within WPP SSC MY Malaysia.

Job Description:

Financial Management and Reporting

• Respaonsible for the reporting of periodic financial information and reporting packs for WPP SSC MY Malaysia (‘MY’) and Operating Companies (‘OpCo’s’) supported by WPP SSC MY and submission of financial information into the Group reporting tool, Cartesis/BFC.
  
• Mnage the Record to Reports (‘RTR’), Statutory and Tax Reporting (Stat & Tax) and Agency Finance team to ensure the completion of financial schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation to ensure the financial information reported is complete, accurate, duly supported and in accordance with Group Policies and Procedures (including WPP Policy Book, policies and procedures published in InsideWPP, etc) and local accounting standards. 
• Manage the applications of both local and overseas direct and indirect Taxation, reporting of all tax related matters and submission to the relevant taxation authorities.
• Working with Managing Director and Operational Head to define the Budgets and Re-Forecasts of WPP SSC MY MY.

Master Data Management

• Manage the Master Data Management (‘MDM’) team to maintains (creates, amends, inactivates and/or deletes) the master data integrity in all ERP systems and/or banking systems or portals based on approved master data requests received and in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and WPP policy. 

Policies and Standards

• Understand the principles and applications of Group Policies and Procedures, WPP SSC MY Target Operating Models (‘TOM’), taxation and governmental policies and requirements in order to provide and share the knowledge with the other functional teams within WPP SSC MY Malaysia.
• Carry out standardisation and implement good practices to enable the RTR, Stat & Tax, and MDM function to perform in the most efficient and productive manners
• Ensure the completion and submission of reporting in accordance with the Group and OpCo’s reporting deadlines

Projects, Transitions and System Implementations

• Understand in detail the working mechanism and operations of each of the operational function in WPP SSC MY MY and to review and recommend process changes and/or improvements
• Work with Project teams to plan, manage and support transition of work from new agencies or countries into WPP SSC MY MY and/or system implementations
• Plan, implement and drive process changes and continuous improvement initiatives within the RTR, Stat & Tax, and MDM function.

Stakeholders Management

• Manage the relationship with external parties dealing with WPP SSC MY Malaysia (including SOX, internal and external auditors, bankers, governmental departments and agencies) to ensure that WPP SSC MY Malaysia is able to meet its operational and reporting requirements
• Assist WPP SSC MY Managing Director in managing the relationship with internal key stakeholders in OpCo’s (including but not limited to OpCo’s CEO’s/Managing Directors, CFO’s/Finance Directors, Financial Controllers/Finance Managers, Regional Finance teams, Media Operations teams, Account Servicing teams, etc.)
• Assist WPP SSC MY Managing Director in managing the relationship with external stakeholders, such as consultants, systems implementers, project managers, etc.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead the RTR, Stat & Tax, and MDM team and perform people management responsibility, which includes planning and assigning responsibilities, manage the achievement of key performance indicators (‘KPI’s’), performance appraisal, coaching and development of the RTR, Stat & Tax, and MDM team

Qualification:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field, and/or a professional qualification (ACCA, CPA or CIMA)
• Chartered Accountant with MIA member is preferred.
• A minimum of 15 years of post-qualification experience in audit and commercial financial management.
• Working experience in any Big 4 International Accounting firms is an added advantage
• Experience in leading an operations team of not less than 50 employees in providing services other business units.  Proven records in leading operations teams in different functional areas will be an advantage.
• Extensive experience and involvement in transition of work from business units to the SSC, system implementation and/or process improvements is a pre-requisite and a must.

Skill and Competencies

• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strategic thinking
• Decision making
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Initiative and personal effectiveness
• Knowledge in accounting standards and tax legislations

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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