Director, Head of Financial Reporting

Manulife; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Manulife seeks a seasoned Director, Head of Financial Reporting to lead accounting, financial reporting, tax, controls and close governance for the International HNW unit. You’ll oversee journal entries, reconciliations, and audit support while partnering with actuarial, operations, risk, compliance and treasury teams.

You will drive consistency in reporting processes, strengthen close controls, and ensure regulatory, statutory and tax reporting accuracy across Asia and North America.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• CPA qualification required.
• 12+ years finance experience, preferably within insurance.
• Strong written and verbal communication; translate complex financial issues into business implications.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly and year-end close for International HNW unit.
• Oversee journal entries, reconciliations, balance sheet analysis and reinsurance entries.
• Strengthen close controls, documentation and issue resolution.
• Manage internal and external reporting and audit support for accuracy and timeliness.
• Cooperate with regional and global teams to ensure regulatory and tax reporting compliance.

Skills

Financial reporting

IFRS17

Close governance

Audit support

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting

CPA qualification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Director, Head of Financial Reporting is responsible for leading accounting, financial reporting, tax, controls and close governance activities for International HNW business unit. This role oversees operational reporting, internal reporting, external reporting, audit and SOX controls, statutory filing, tax, compliance reporting and ad hoc data/reporting requests related to the International HNW business. This role requires a strong insurance finance professional with sound accounting knowledge including IFRS17, close and reporting experience, strong control discipline, and the ability to partner effectively with Actuarial, Operations, Distribution, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Actuarial, Treasury, Technology and US-based support teams.

Position Responsibilities

• Financial controllership, accounting and controls
• Lead and oversee accurate monthly, quarterly and year-end close activities for International HNW business unit.
• Oversee journal entries, reconciliations, roll forwards, analysis and validations, including commissions, funding analysis, intra-entity reconciliation and journal booking, balance sheet clearing entries, and reinsurance asset / insurance liability entries.
• Strengthen close controls, documentation, review procedures, issue resolution and continuous improvement of reporting processes.
• Establish clear ownership of financial statement close controls, including balance sheet substantiation and review of key balances.
• Operational reporting, controls and audit support
• Oversee operational reporting activities including income statement testing for audit, commission-to-premium analysis, investment results analysis, actuarial actual validation, actuarial support, seriatim data analysis, Segregated Fund reporting, and RI setup/testing for new insurance portfolios and subgroups.
• Ensure audit and SOX control deliverables are completed accurately and on time.
• Support internal and external audit requests, including reporting analysis, supporting schedules, control evidence and follow-up resolution.
• Internal and external reporting
• Lead internal and external reporting deliverables for the International HNW business unit, including Asia Regional reporting, unclaimed property, other revenue, quarterly package and regulatory reporting deliverables.
• Support quarterly Board Reporting.
• Regulatory, tax and compliance support
• Lead regulatory, tax and compliance-related reporting deliverables for Bermuda Branch and DIFC entity, ensuring accuracy, completeness and timeliness
• Liaise with internal partners and external advisors/authorities as needed to resolve queries and ensure ongoing compliance with applicable requirements
• Stay current with evolving regulatory expectations relevant to reporting, tax, governance, and controls
• Stakeholder management and leadership
• Build strong working relationships with Finance, Actuarial, Product, Operations, Tax, Treasury, Risk, Compliance and Technology stakeholders to resolve reporting issues and support management requests.
• Coach and guide junior team members, building strong execution discipline, accountability and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ensure finance processes and outputs support compliance with applicable internal policies and external requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• CPA qualification is required.
• Minimum of 12+ years relevant finance experience, preferably within insurance industry.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to translate complex financial issues into clear business implications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong insurance finance, accounting and financial reporting experience, preferably with life insurance, reinsurance and/or regulatory reporting exposure.
• Strong controllership mindset with experience in close governance, reconciliations, balance sheet substantiation, SOX controls, audit support and issue resolution.
• Strong understanding of internal and external reporting processes, including management reporting, regulatory reporting and statutory filing support.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to work across Asia and North America teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills; ability to manage priorities under deadlines.
• Prior experience in financial controllership, regulatory reporting, SOX controls, audit support and cross-functional finance projects would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant finance/reporting systems; enthusiastic about adopting new technologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

When You Join Our Team

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
• As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Working Arrangement

Hybrid