Head of Regional Financial Controlling

SWIFT; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a strategic Head of Regional Financial Controlling to lead financial operations and governance across global entities. In this pivotal leadership role, you will ensure timely and accurate financial reporting, compliance with regulations, and alignment with strategic objectives. You will mentor a high-performing team while driving improvements in financial processes and stakeholder management. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic financial environment, fostering collaboration and innovation to achieve organizational goals.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

Career development opportunities

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• 10+ years in finance roles with at least 5 years as a team lead.
• Experience in Big4 and IT systems implementation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial operations, reporting, and governance for global entities.
• Lead a team of 10 finance professionals and ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

Financial Reporting

Compliance

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Operational Excellence

Change Management

Communication Skills

Education

University undergraduate degree in Finance or Accounting

CPA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent

Tools

ERP platforms (e.g., SAP, Oracle, S4/HANA)

Job description

ABOUT US

We’re the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services, headquartered in Belgium. We are the way the world moves value – across borders, through cities and overseas. No other organisation can address the scale, precision, pace and trust that this demands, and we’re proud to support the global economy.

We’re unique too. We were established to find a better way for the global financial community to move value – a reliable, safe and secure approach that the community can trust, completely. We’re always striving to be better and are constantly evolving in an ever-changing landscape, without undermining that trust. Five decades on, our vibrant community reflects the complexity and diversity of the financial ecosystem. We innovate diligently, test exhaustively, then implement fast. In a connected and exciting era, our mission has never been more relevant. Swift now has a presence in 200+ countries and legal territories to serve a community of more than 12,000 banks and financial institutions.

Role overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Regional Financial Controlling to oversee financial operations, reporting, and governance for our global entities. This leadership role requires a hands-on approach to financial management, ensuring the delivery of timely, accurate, and insightful financial reporting, compliance with regulations, including statutory audits and filings as well as alignment with the company's strategic objectives.

As the Head of Regional Controlling, you will report directly to the Group Financial Controller of Swift and will lead a team of 10 finance professionals.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with local and international accounting standards (e.g., IFRS, GAAP).
• Oversee statutory reporting and coordinate with external auditors to complete audits without findings.

Operational Finance Management

• Drive improvements in working capital management, cost control, and efficiency.
• Implement and monitor financial controls and policies to mitigate risk.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team of 10 professionals.
• Foster a collaborative and results-oriented team culture.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide training opportunities to enhance team capabilities.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including finance operations, sales, and HR, to align financial goals with overall business objectives.
• Act as the primary finance contact for regional leadership and external stakeholders.
• Present financial results and strategic recommendations to senior management.

Systems & Process Optimization

• Drive the implementation and optimization of financial systems, including ERP platforms (e.g., SAP, Oracle, S4/HANA).
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and key change programs, focusing on operationalization, efficiencies and controls as well as improving customer/employee experience.
• Lead automation initiatives and explore the use of AI for financial reporting and analysis.
• Act as a partner for broader Finance as well as collaborate with other departments on strategic priorities.

Competencies

• Results Oriented: Takes responsibility for significant decisions and actions related to operational/tactical issues and holds others (team and peers) accountable. Delivers results under pressure and navigates through uncertainty with a clear understanding of potential risks.
• Demonstrates Operational Excellence: Defines, implements and manages team to the highest standards of operational excellence. Translates creative ideas into plans or projects for the business. Promotes continuous improvement mindset for operational success and focuses on security, availability and reliability.
• Promotes knowledge sharing: Demonstrates commitment to learn and develop self and others. Takes accountability for knowledge sharing and retention to advance finance capabilities.
• Builds deep business understanding and commercial acumen: Promotes and applies business/management principles to improve commercial performance through a deep understanding of Swift business model. Champions change to improve competitiveness and the value proposition.
• Strengthens relationships globally: Builds and maintains effective customer relationships. Actively listens and translates complex needs into effective solutions while remaining agnostic of business complexities and Swift’s global role. Promotes integrity, customer-centric focus and responsiveness.
• Team focus: Mobilizes and continuously develops teams. Identifies, fosters talent and plans for succession. Sets clear objectives and measurable outcomes while respecting diversity and creating equal opportunities. Holds team to highest performance standards. Serves as a role model and effective people manager.
• Communicates effectively: Communicates objectives, business strategies and approaches in a concise and structured manner. Adjusts communication style to take into account multicultural and multilingual environment Swift operates in. Stays composed under pressure and handles difficult messages and stakeholders whilst maintaining objective and unbiased view. Recognizes and respects different points of view.

Education

• A university undergraduate degree in Finance or Accounting.
• CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent is highly desirable.

Experience

• Proven track record in finance roles within global organization (>10 years), including at least 5 years as a team lead.
• Experience working in Big4.
• Experience with change programs, including IT systems implementation and/or reorganizations.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities with individuals at all levels, including senior executives.

Language skills

English is a must.

What we offer

We put you in control of your career.

We give you a competitive package.

We help you perform at your best.

We help you make a difference.

We give you the freedom to be yourself. We are creating an environment of unique individuals – like you – with different perspectives on the financial industry and the world. A diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone’s voice counts and where you can reach your full potential.

If you believe you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us to request accommodation.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Swift, we are dedicated to building a workplace where people can bring their full selves and ideas to the team, so if you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification.