General Ledger Expert

Merck Group; Philippines; On-site; PHP 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck Group in Manila is seeking a seasoned General Ledger Accountant to lead MEC close, ensure IFRS/GAAP compliance, and deliver accurate financial statements for local entities and the Group. You will mentor junior accountants, drive continuous process improvements, manage high‑risk accounts, and partner with cross‑functional teams across ABP, Subledger, P2P, and Treasury to align end‑to‑end processes.

This role requires experience in a Shared Services setting, proficiency in Oracle/SAP,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting; CPA preferred.
• Minimum 8 years in general ledger accounting operations.
• Strong IFRS/GAAP knowledge and shared services experience.
• Experience with Oracle and SAP; English fluency required.
• Based in Manila/BGC with ability to work mid/night shift; automation exposure.

Responsibilities

• Lead Month-End Close (MEC) for complex entities with strict deadlines.
• Prepare and analyze high-quality financial statements and reports.
• Manage high-risk accounts, accruals, and master data governance.
• Mentor junior accountants and drive process improvements.
• Collaborate with ABP, Subledger, P2P, and Treasury teams.

Skills

GL accounting

IFRS/GAAP

Excel advanced

Financial analysis

Leadership

Education

Bachelor in Finance/Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

Oracle

SAP

Excel

VBA

Job description

Job Description

Work Your Magic with us! Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

Your Role

• You will drive operational excellence and financial integrity for your assigned entities.


• Moving beyond routine execution, you will own complex accounting treatments, lead Month-End Close (MEC) orchestrations, ensure strict compliance with local and Group policies, and serve as a key business partner to local entity finance teams.


• You will also act as a mentor to junior accountants and a catalyst for continuous process improvement.


• Key Responsibilities


• Financial Ownership & Reporting Excellence


• Lead and orchestrate the Month-End Close (MEC) process for complex assigned entities, ensuring all activities are executed accurately and within strict deadlines.


• Prepare, review, and analyze high-quality financial statements and management reports for both local entity finance and Group Accounting.


• Perform deep-dive process analysis, variance commentary, and balance sheet reviews to provide actionable insights into financial health.


• Complex Accounting & Master Data Governance


• Manage high-complexity GL activities, including specialized accruals, complex payroll/benefits accounting, and sensitive journal entries.


• Oversee and approve the reconciliation of critical, high-risk accounts, ensuring timely resolution of open items.


• Act as a gatekeeper for GL master data integrity, ensuring compliance with global charting and reporting standards.


• Audit, Compliance & Risk Management


• Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external auditors (working with ABPs); prepare comprehensive audit schedules, pre-audit analyses, and resolve complex audit queries.


• Ensure all processes strictly adhere to internal controls (SOX/ICFR), Group accounting policies, and local statutory regulations.


• Process Optimization & Technology Driving


• Identify, design, and implement process excellence initiatives (automation, standardization, and workflow simplification) to reduce MEC cycle times.


• Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for ERP upgrades, migrations, or GL-related system implementations.


• Track, analyze, and report on team operational metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).


• Stakeholder Management & Escalation Resolution


• Act as the first point of escalation for complex operational issues, collaborating effectively with local entity CFOs/Finance Directors to drive swift resolutions.


• Foster strong, consultative partnerships with cross-functional teams (ABP, Subledger, P2P, I2C, Treasury) to ensure end-to-end process alignment.


• Leadership & Capability Building


• Provide guidance, mentorship, and technical support to junior GL accountants, fostering a culture of continuous learning.


• Develop and maintain up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training documentation.


• Location: Manila Shared Service Center


• Reports To: GL Team Lead / Manager

Who You Are

• Bachelors degree holder in finance, accounting or any related field required


• Master’s Degree in Finance / Accounting or CPA accreditation highly preferred


• At least 8 or more years of experience in General Ledger Accounting Operations


• Profound accounting knowledge required (IFRS, GAAP, Tax)


• Experience within a Shared Services Center preferred


• Experience with Oracle and SAP


• Fluent English language skills required


• Willing to be based in BGC, Taguig


• Amenable to work on a mid shift / night shift schedule (varying shifts every MEC and NONMEC)


• With automation experience (VBA, other automation tools)


• MS Excel Proficiency - Expert

What we offer:

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Requirements: