AP Accountant (Korean Speaking)

Randstad; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in Kuala Lumpur is seeking an Accounts Payable Accountant responsible for managing invoice and payment processes for various entities. The ideal candidate should have 2-3 years of experience in Accounts Payable, fluent in Korean to liaise with suppliers, and specialized skills in accounting software such as SAP or Oracle. This role plays a key part in maintaining supplier relationships and ensuring compliance with payment schedules.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-3 years of dedicated experience in Accounts Payable.
• Strong focus on high-volume invoice and payment processing.
• Experience within a Shared Services environment or multi-entity organization.

Responsibilities

• Process and manage supplier invoices and payments efficiently.
• Ensure accuracy in invoice management and vendor communication.
• Reconcile accounts to maintain integrity of financial transactions.

Skills

Korean working proficiency

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Cross-cultural communication

Urgency in meeting deadlines

Education

Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Accounting software/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Xero)

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Details

The Accounts Payable Accountant will be responsible for the end-to-end processing of all invoices and payments for multiple entities under the Shared Services model. This role ensures timely, accurate, and compliant disbursement of funds, playing a vital part in maintaining strong supplier relationships and effective cost management. Fluency in Korean is required to handle critical communication with suppliers in the Korean market.

Key Responsibilities

1. Invoice and Payment Processing (Core AP Duties)
   • Invoice Management: Receive, verify, and accurately process a high volume of supplier invoices into the accounting software, ensuring proper general ledger coding and cost center allocation for multiple companies.
   • Verification and Approval: Ensure all invoices are verified against Purchase Orders (POs) and goods received notes, and obtain necessary approvals from budget holders before processing.
   • Payment Execution: Process monthly, weekly, and ad-hoc payments to all suppliers, ensuring all payments are batched, reconciled, and executed on schedule.
   • Record Keeping: Accurately record all financial transactions related to Accounts Payable, maintaining complete and organized documentation to support audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
2. Expense Management and Control
   • Expense Monitoring: Monitor expenses and cost trends, supporting the finance team with budget tracking and expense control initiatives across the retail entities.
   • Staff Claims & Reimbursements: Manage and process staff claims, travel reimbursements, and petty cash disbursements, ensuring adherence to the company's internal policies.
   • Petty Cash Management: Maintain and reconcile the petty cash float, ensuring proper accountability for all transactions.
3. Reconciliation and Shared Services Support
   • General Ledger (GL) Integrity: Perform monthly reconciliation of the Accounts Payable sub-ledger to the General Ledger, ensuring accuracy and identifying any discrepancies.
   • Vendor Statements: Reconcile monthly supplier statements to internal AP records, investigating and resolving outstanding variances promptly.
   • Shared Services Model: Efficiently handle the full set of accounts for multiple companies related to AP.
4. Stakeholder Liaison & Language Requirement
   • Supplier Relations: Be the primary point of contact for supplier queries regarding payment status, invoice issues, and statement reconciliation.
   • Korean Communication: Must effectively communicate (written and verbal) with key Korean suppliers and vendors to resolve complex payment and invoice discrepancies, ensuring smooth flow of critical goods and services.
   • External Liaison: Liaise effectively with bankers and auditors for various financial, compliance, and payment-related matters.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years of dedicated experience in Accounts Payable, with a strong focus on high-volume invoice and payment processing, preferably within a Shared Services environment or a multi-entity retail/FMCG organization.
• Language: Fluency in Korean (reading, writing, and speaking) is mandatory. This is critical for liaising with major suppliers and understanding complex documentation.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in accounting software/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Xero, or equivalent).
  • Competency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, for payment schedules and reconciliations.
• Core Competencies:
  • Exceptional organizational skills and high attention to detail.
  • Strong sense of urgency and ability to meet strict payment deadlines.
  • Excellent cross-cultural communication skills.

Skills

• Korean working proficiency