Head of Finance / Financial Controller

Intellect; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave policy

Birthday leave

Quarterly mental health days

Flexible work arrangements

Medical coverage

Performance bonus

Development budget

Mental health support

Job summary

Intellect in Kuala Lumpur is looking for a Head of Finance / Financial Controller to oversee financial operations and governance as the company scales. This role involves managing accounting, reporting, and treasury, along with leading budgeting and forecasting processes.

The ideal candidate will have a strong financial background, ideally in high-growth startups, and a passion for redefining mental health care across Asia and globally.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years progressive finance and accounting experience, ideally in high-growth startups.
• Strong understanding of accounting standards, audit processes, and financial governance.
• Excited to help scale a mission-driven company redefining mental health care.

Responsibilities

• Oversee finance operations including accounting, reporting, treasury, and compliance.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting processes.
• Build and mentor a high-performing finance team.

Skills

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Compliance

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA, ACCA preferred

Job description

The Role

The Head of Finance / Financial Controller will drive key parts of Intellect's finance function, reporting directly to the CEO and VP Finance, and partnering closely with executive leaders and external stakeholders. At this stage of our journey, Intellect is scaling rapidly while strengthening its financial operations, governance, and reporting infrastructure. This role will play a critical part in ensuring strong financial discipline, accurate reporting, effective cash management, and scalable financial processes to support sustainable growth.

We are looking for a hands‑on finance leader with strong controllership capabilities who is comfortable operating across both strategic and operational finance responsibilities. The ideal candidate combines attention to detail with commercial awareness, and is equally comfortable managing monthly closes, improving internal controls, supporting budgeting exercises, and helping leadership make informed financial decisions.

This is an opportunity to build and strengthen the finance foundation of one of Asia's fastest‑growing mental health companies operating on a global scale.

Your Responsibilities

Financial Control & Reporting

• Oversee day‑to‑day finance operations, including accounting, reporting, treasury, tax, and compliance
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls, accounting policies, and financial governance processes
• Manage cash flow, working capital, and financial risk monitoring
• Coordinate audits and manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and accounting partners

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting processes
• Support leadership with financial analysis, scenario modeling, and performance insights
• Monitor business performance against budgets and identify risks and opportunities
• Improve visibility into operational and financial KPIs across the business

Operational Finance

• Drive efficiency and discipline across G&A spending, procurement, and vendor management
• Partner with department leaders to align budgets with business priorities
• Implement systems, processes, and reporting structures that can scale with company growth
• Support finance transformation and automation initiatives where appropriate

Investor & Corporate Support

• Support preparation of board and investor reporting materials
• Assist with financial due diligence, fundraising support, and data room preparation as needed
• Contribute financial insights to support strategic planning and decision-making

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Build, mentor, and manage a high‑performing finance team and external finance providers
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement
• Partner cross‑functionally to improve financial literacy and budget ownership across the organization

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA, ACCA, or equivalent preferred
• 8-12 years progressive finance and accounting experience, ideally across high‑growth startups and structured environments
• Strong controllership and accounting foundation, including financial reporting, compliance, treasury, and internal controls
• Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and FP&A processes
• Strong understanding of accounting standards, audit processes, and financial governance
• Experience managing external auditors, tax advisors, and accounting partners
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills
• Hands‑on operator with high attention to detail and ability to work independently in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience with multi‑entity or international finance operations is a plus
• Excited by the opportunity to help scale a mission‑driven company redefining mental health care across Asia Pacific and globally
• Open to Singapore (hybrid), Malaysia (hybrid), Philippines (remote) and Indonesia (remote)

Benefits

• Global company – work in a diverse environment with people from nearly 20 countries
• Generous leave policy – time off to rest and recharge
• Christmas week off – company‑wide break during Christmas, separate from annual leave
• Birthday leave – enjoy a day off on your birthday
• Quarterly mental health days – one day off every quarter to focus on your wellbeing
• Flexible work arrangements – work in a way that suits your lifestyle and goals
• Work‑life balance – a culture that values personal time and long‑term wellness
• Medical coverage – comprehensive insurance for peace of mind
• Performance bonus – high performance is recognised and rewarded
• Development budget – annual allowance to support your professional development
• Mental health support – premium coaching access to our mental health app and resources & dedicated budget for clinical and psychiatric care
• Socials and communities – regular non‑work events/activities to connect and have fun together