Finance Officer

Penang Institute; George Town; On-site; MYR 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading think tank in Malaysia is seeking a Finance Officer to manage financial and administrative support. The ideal candidate will oversee accounting processes, ensure timely payroll processing, and maintain financial records with integrity. Applicants should have at least 5 years of relevant experience and familiarity with Malaysia's statutory requirements. Knowledge of accounting software is a plus. This role fosters collaboration and accountability within the financial operations of the organization.

Qualifications

• Must hold NRIC including MyPR.
• Well-versed with Malaysia’s statutory deduction requirements.
• Experience in payroll, expenses, and statutory contributions.

Responsibilities

• Record all financial transactions and maintain accurate ledgers.
• Prepare balance sheets and reconcile bank statements.
• Assist in the preparation of budgets and financial audits.

Skills

Accounting management

Attention to detail

Financial reporting

Integrity

E-invoicing knowledge

Education

Diploma or certificate in relevant fields

Minimum 5 years of experience in accounting or financial management

Tools

SAGE accounting software

Job description

Company Description

Penang Institute is among Malaysia's leading think tanks, established in 1997 and funded by the Penang state government. Renamed in 2011, the Institute aligns with Penang's vision to position itself as an intellectual and cultural hub in Malaysia and the ASEAN region. Operating under the tagline “Making Ideas Work,” Penang Institute fosters innovation and thought leadership through academic research, public policy briefs such as ISSUES, and cultural initiatives such as the George Town Literary Festival and the renowned Penang Monthly magazine. The Institute exemplifies its commitment to combining scholarly pursuits with cultural and social impact.

Role Description

The Finance Officer provides vital financial and administrative support by managing the Institute’s income and expenditure. Key responsibilities include overseeing accounting processes, processing payroll, maintaining accurate financial records, and carrying out bank and balance sheet reconciliations. Day-to-day duties are determined in consultation with Management. The role requires the accurate and timely entry of all financial transactions into the accounting software.

The Finance Officer is also responsible for liaising with external accountants and auditors to support reporting and compliance requirements. The position works closely with members of the Administration Unit, and particularly with the Director of Operations, to ensure transparent, accountable, and effective financial outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To accurately record all financial transactions digitally and maintain a bookkeeping record and ledger for auditing purposes
• To prepare balance sheets and reconciling bank statements
• To process invoices, monitor payments, and issue official receipts
• To record accounts payable and accounts receivable
• To assist in the preparation of budgets
• To deal with payroll, expenses, statutory contributions, and relevant taxes
• To monitor updates and changes in statutory deductions/declarations requirements and formats
• To participate in financial audits
• To assist with the implementation of financial policies

Qualifications

• Must hold NRIC (including MyPR)
• TVET graduates with or without a Diploma and/or certificate welcome to apply
• Well-versed with Malaysia’s statutory deduction requirement and procedures
• Well-versed with e-invoicing requirements and procedures
• Must have a minimum of 5 years’ working experience in accounting or financial management, not including experience gained during undergraduate or post-graduate studies
• Must be a person with high integrity, accountability, and trustworthiness
• Must be a person who pays close attention to detail
• Applicants with declarations requirements for donations and sponsorship received will be at an added advantage
• Applicants with knowledge of SAGE accounting software or equivalent will be at an added advantage