AVP, Finance FP&A: Cost Strategy & Optimization

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad in Kuala Lumpur seeks a Cost Strategy & Management professional to plan, monitor, and analyse the bank's cost performance. You will partner with business units to deliver sustainable cost outcomes while upholding governance and controls.

Responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and tracking savings against targets, with focus on cost-to-income and efficiency initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance/Engineering or equivalent.
• ACCA/MICPA/CPA/ICAEW/ MIA (added advantage).
• Minimum 3 to 8 years of experience in large and established commercial or service-based organisation, financial institution or public accounting firm with strong focus in strategic cost management, budgeting, forecasting and financial analyses
• Working knowledge of a broad spectrum of banking operations
• Experience in project managing, deploying or participating in cost control initiatives for business or organisation
• Ability to interpret and present business results and provide meaningful insights for improving cost efficiency strategically
• Experience in using integrated models in the financial planning framework with well-structured analytics
• Financial Planning expertise in Cost Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting
• Financial Modelling, Analytics and Planning Tools proficiency
• Strategic Thinking, Stakeholder Management, and Change Management capabilities

Responsibilities

• Assist the Lead of Cost Strategy & Management in cost budgeting and forecasting processes, including annual budget, rolling forecast, and outlook updates
• Assist in developing cost plans aligned with strategic initiatives, productivity targets, and cost-to-income objectives
• Support allocation of resources across business units and functions
• Monitor actual costs versus budget, forecast, and prior periods
• Perform variance and trend analysis across key cost categories (staff, IT, premises, marketing, professional fees, etc.)
• Identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities for efficiency improvements
• Support design, tracking, and governance of cost optimisation and productivity initiatives
• Track benefits realisation and savings delivery against approved targets
• Provide insights on fixed vs variable cost structures and scalability
• Act as a finance partner to business and support functions, providing cost transparency and constructive challenge

Skills

Cost management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Change management

Financial modelling

Analytics

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance/Engineering or equivalent

ACCA/MICPA/CPA/ICAEW/MIA (added advantage)

Job description

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad in Kuala Lumpur seeks a Cost Strategy & Management professional to plan, monitor, and analyse the bank's cost performance. You will partner with business units to deliver sustainable cost outcomes while upholding governance and controls.

Responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and tracking savings against targets, with focus on cost-to-income and efficiency initiatives.