Finance Manager

Epsom International School; Sepang; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious international educational institution in Malaysia seeks a Finance Manager to oversee its financial operations. The ideal candidate will lead digital transformation efforts, manage financial reporting and compliance with Malaysian laws, and drive a highly efficient, paperless environment. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance and have 5–7 years of relevant experience. Experience in education and financial technology is advantageous.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in finance, preferably in an educational setting.
• Initiative to upskill and learn about systems and automation tools.
• Experience in managing financial accounts and analyzing financial reports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial health and operational efficiency of the school.
• Lead digital transformation and implementation of new financial systems.
• Generate financial reports and interpret information for managerial staff.
• Ensure compliance with Malaysian statutory requirements.

Skills

Financial reporting

Analytical thinking

Change management

Cultural intelligence

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance

Professional certification (ACCA, CPA, CIMA, MIA)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

The Finance Manager is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing the financial health and operational efficiency of our international school. Reporting to the Finance General Manager, you will manage all financial activities, including budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance.

One of the primary focuses for this role is digital transformation. We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking professional proficient in financial reporting, analysis and also proactively researching, assessing, and implementing new software and systems to streamline our workflows. You will lead the department toward a "paperless" and highly efficient environment, ensuring that financial data is accurate, accessible, and strategically utilised to support the school’s educational mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Assessment: Continuously evaluate the current financial tech stack and identify gaps or inefficiencies.
• Implementation: Lead the end-to-end implementation of new accounting software, ERP modules, or specialised automation tools (e.g., automated payroll, digital invoicing, or expense management systems).
• Process Engineering: Redesign existing manual workflows to leverage automation, significantly reducing turnaround times and human error.
• Training: Conduct workshops for the finance team and wider school staff on new systems to ensure high adoption rates.
• Generate financial reports and interpret financial information for managerial staff, offering recommendations for further action.
• Oversee the operations of the finance department, including financial reporting, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, working closely with academic departments to align resources with school goals and ensure actual performance is comparable to the budget.
• Monitor and plan cash flow, investments, and capital expenditure to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with Malaysian statutory requirements, including SST/Service Tax and e-invoicing.
• Liaise with external auditors and tax agents.
• Develop and maintain robust internal control frameworks to safeguard school assets.
• Handle any ad-hoc assignments given by managerial staff.

Requirements

• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Possession of (or active pursuit of) a professional certification such as ACCA, CPA, CIMA, or MIA is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in finance. Experience in an educational or service-oriented setting is an advantage.
• Initiative to continuously upskill oneself and learn about systems, software and automation tools. Experience with ERP systems is an advantage.

Qualifications

• Tech-Savvy - A natural curiosity for fintech and a drive to adopt new technologies.
• Analytical Thinking - Ability to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights to non-finance stakeholders.
• Change Management - Resilience and skill in guiding a team through transitions and system upgrades.
• Cultural Intelligence - Ability to communicate effectively within a diverse, international community of parents and staff.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial management, and budgeting.
• Experience in managing financial accounts and analysing financial reports.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Experience working in the education sector is a plus.