Assistant Controller - APAC

Arbex; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Arbex, a leading tissue and hygiene innovator, seeks an APAC Assistant Controller to drive financial leadership across the region. You will partner with country CFOs and GBS to ensure robust internal controls, accurate financial reporting, and regulatory compliance in alignment with CFIs and US GAAP.

The role demands strategic oversight of closing processes, external audits, and ongoing control improvements, with a focus on developing regional talent and delivering actionable financial insights.

Qualifications

• CPA or CA certification required; public accounting background preferred.
• 8–10 years accounting or financial management experience.
• Strong knowledge of US and local GAAP and audit practices.
• Excellent leadership and people-management abilities.
• Experience with ERP systems, especially SAP.

Responsibilities

• Oversee APAC monthly, quarterly, and annual closing with GBS and markets.
• Advise on technical accounting matters and statutory reporting.
• Lead Balance Sheet Reviews with GBS and Market FCs.
• Review quarterly 10-Q and annual 10-K filings for APAC.
• Lead internal control initiatives and remediation activities.
• Monitor Deloitte relationship and audit process.
• Collaborate with FP&A on non-recurring transactions.

Skills

Leadership

Financial accounting

US GAAP knowledge

ERP systems SAP

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

CPA or CA certification

Tools

SAP

Job description

Become part of the team powering household names like Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®, Viva®, and WypAll®. AtArbex, everything you need is right here—innovation, growth, and the chance to leave a real mark.

Settling for just any roleisn'tyou, and itisn'tus either. Being Unstoppable Together calls for a particular kind of person and teams who genuinely care about making a difference. Here,you'llchannel your professionalexpertise, talent, and drive into building and managing a portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role,you'llhelp shape the future of tissue and hygiene for billions of people worldwide.

About You

In one of ourprofessionalroles,you’llfocus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at thecentre.

The APAC Assistant Controller partners with the business, Global Business Services (GBS), and operations teams to ensure financial integrity, robust risk management, effective controls, and regulatory compliance across the region. The role is responsible for overseeing financial reporting, internal controls, statutory and regulatory compliance, and stakeholder reporting. Working closely with the APAC Controller, the Assistant Controller serves as a key point of contact for the Corporate Controller's Office on matters relating to financial reporting, internal controls, and audits. The role also partners with senior business leaders to drive the agenda and activities of the Compliance Steering Committees and facilitates transparent communication between the region, the Controller's Office, the business, GBS, and external auditors.

Financial Leadership and Business Partnership

• Forge a strong direct working relationship with the country CFOs and Controllers
• Lead quarterly updates to the Region CFO on Financial Reporting, Internal Controls and Projects
• Partner with GBS and FP&A teams to develop and present analysis of Overhead costs, focusing on variances vs Prior Period, Prior Quarter and Prior Year

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Maintain strong oversight of monthly, quarterly and annual closing process with GBS and Markets ensure reporting of APAC’s financials and compliance with US GAAP and Kimberly Clark’s Corporate Financial Instructions (CFIs)
• Advise Regional team on technical accounting matters, statutory reporting, controls requirements
• Assist the APAC Controller in the Balance Sheet Reviews with GBS and Market Financial Controllers to ensure integrity of Region’s Balance Sheet and compliance to Corporate Financial Instructions (CFIs)
• Assist the APAC Controller in review quarterly 10Q and annual 10K filings and disclosures for APAC Region to advise any revisions to the Corporate Reporting Function

Financial Leadership and Business Partnership

• Forge a strong direct working relationship with the country CFOs and Controllers
• Lead quarterly updates to the Region CFO on Financial Reporting, Internal Controls and Projects
• Partner with GBS and FP&A teams to develop and present analysis of Overhead costs, focusing on variances vs Prior Period, Prior Quarter and Prior Year

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Maintain strong oversight of monthly, quarterly and annual closing process with GBS and Markets ensure reporting of APAC’s financials and compliance with US GAAP and Kimberly Clark’s Corporate Financial Instructions (CFIs)
• Advise Regional team on technical accounting matters, statutory reporting, controls requirements
• Assist the APAC Controller in the Balance Sheet Reviews with GBS and Market Financial Controllers to ensure integrity of Region’s Balance Sheet and compliance to Corporate Financial Instructions (CFIs)
• Assist the APAC Controller in review quarterly 10Q and annual 10K filings and disclosures for APAC Region to advise any revisions to the Corporate Reporting Function
• Lead the quarterly Financial Representation Letter (FRL) certification process and ensure follow up of appropriate remediation plans have been documented
• Lead pre-Quarter close and post-Quarter close discussions, in partnership with GBS, with the Market finance teams to determine any accounting issues, non-recurring transactions, judgmental reserves and contingencies
• Participate in monthly pre-close calls led by GBS and provide guidance to GBS and Markets on any matters relating to accounting
• Evaluate capex proposals, which need Corporate and/or Region leadership team approvals, for compliance with accounting and disclosure requirements of US GAAP and CFIs
• Collaborate with Region FP&A team to ensure appropriate accounting treatment is considered for non-recurring transactions in ABPs and quarterly forecasts
• Monitor the quality of Blackline reconciliations and provide feedback, training and guidance to GBS teams

Internal Controls

• Help lead the internal control function to ensure controls in the region are adequate and efficient, and that strong controls are implemented for GBS migrations and IT and robotics implementations
• Ensure remediation activities for issues identified are on track and delivered as promised
• Lead the initiatives to drive standardization of processes and controls, specifically in but not limited to Financial Reporting processes, with GBS and across the Region
• Ensure tracking of Financial Reporting internal audit issues and follow up to ensure appropriate remediation plans are put in place to rectify audit issues

Audit

• Monitor statutory audit status and the audit adjustments being proposed by the auditors for the entire Region and its implications on the APAC financials and internal controls
• Assist in managing the Regional relationship with Deloitte, including audit engagement, procedures, and fees

Transformation Projects

• Assist the Regional Controller in being the first point of contact for complex transactions contemplated in the region (e.g., restructurings, supplier contracts, derivatives, M&A, leases)

People

• Contribute to building a strong finance talent pool for the region and enterprise
• Provide leadership to Region financial reporting team by hiring, training and retaining the team members
• Lead training of GBS RTR and Market Financial Controllers on Financial Reporting US GAAP and CFI requirements

To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 8 - 10 years accounting experience in a senior accounting or financial management role
• Public accounting experience or similar preferred - Should be CPA or CA
• Proven experience in financial management, controllership, and statutory reporting
• Strong knowledge of US & local GAAP, regulatory requirements and audit practices
• Think and act independently while maintaining a "think customer" orientation to thebusiness and GBS
• Ability to think enterprise as well as regional
• Must have excellent leadership skills and a big-picture method to approaching tasks
• Self-motivated and self-directed
• Good knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., SAP)
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; strong commercial acumen.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management with a track record of developing talent.
• High attention to detail, disciplined time management, and comfort with deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication; effective stakeholder and influencing skills.

Total Benefits

Webelievethatouremployeesareourgreatestasset, andwe'recommittedtoprovidingthemwiththeresourcestheyneedtobesuccessful.Ifyou'relookingforarewardingcareerwithacompanythatcaresaboutitsemployees,thenARBEXistheplaceforyou.

Flex That Works at ARBEX

We believegreat workhappens when people come together with purpose. That’swhy we offer a flexible work model that blends remote work with intentional in-person collaboration - helping you connect, grow, and innovate whilemaintainingthe balance you value.

And finally, the fine print...

ForARBEXto grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands thatshape the future of tissue and hygiene, which is whyweseek to build a workforce that encompassesthe experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking toARBEX, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties,responsibilitiesand skillsrequiredfor this position.

This role is available for local candidates already authorized to work in the role’s country only. ARBEX will not provide relocation support for this role.

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