Japanese-Speaking Finance Accountant

Nova Cofoundery; Manila, Hinoba-an; On-site; PHP 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Nova Cofoundery is seeking a Finance Accountant fluent in Japanese and English to join our client's finance team. You will own a defined part of the month-end close, keep ledgers clean and reconciled, and act as the finance point of contact for Japanese-language stakeholders, suppliers, auditors or colleagues in the Japan business.

Because much of the source documentation and local reporting is in Japanese, native or near-native Japanese is essential to the role.

Qualifications

• Native or near-native Japanese language skills required.
• Fluent English (spoken and written).
• 3–5 years of accounting experience including month-end close and reconciliations.
• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA/CPA or 日商簿記 2級) or equivalent experience.
• Solid understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and core accounting principles.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, large data sets).
• Experience with Sage or Oracle Fusion is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end accounts payable cycle: invoices, PO matching, exceptions.
• Handle Japanese invoices and supplier correspondence in Japanese and English.
• Manage AP inbox and respond to supplier queries in JP/EN; chase missing docs.
• Prepare and post month-end journals: accruals, prepayments, provisions.
• Reconcile AP sub-ledger to GL; investigate and clear discrepancies.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts (bank, intercompany, accrued expenses).
• Maintain GL; ensure accurate and consistent coding.
• Prepare monthly management reporting packs with variance commentary.
• Support cash management: forecasting, bank postings, short-term cashflow.

Skills

Japanese proficiency

English fluency

Month-end close

Reconciliations

Excel

Intercompany accounting

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA/CPA

日商簿記 2級

Tools

Sage

Oracle Fusion

Job description

We are looking for a Finance Accountant who is equally comfortable working in Japanese and English to join our client's finance team. This is a hands-on role at the centre of client's day-to-day accounting: you will own a defined part of the month-end close, keep the ledgers clean and reconciled, and act as the finance point of contact for our Japanese-language stakeholders - whether that means suppliers, clients, auditors or colleagues in the Japan business. Because much of the source documentation, correspondence and local reporting is in Japanese, native or near-native Japanese is essential to the role rather than a nice-to-have.

Working hours ~09:00 - 18:00 (morning shift)

This opportunity is open only to candidates based in the Philippines

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end accounts payable cycle: process supplier invoices, match to purchase orders and receipts, and resolve exceptions.

• Handle Japanese-language invoices, credit notes and supplier correspondence, including 請求書 and qualified-invoice (インボイス制度) requirements.

• Manage the AP inbox and act as first point of contact for supplier queries in Japanese and English, chasing missing documentation and clearing aged items.

• Prepare and execute payment runs, ensuring correct bank details, currency, withholding tax and payment terms.

• Reconcile supplier statements and the AP sub-ledger to the general ledger, investigating and clearing differences.

• Prepare and post month-end journals - accruals, prepayments, provisions - and support a timely close.

• Own the reconciliation of assigned balance sheet accounts, including bank, intercompany and accrued expenses.

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure transactions are coded accurately and consistently.

• Prepare monthly management reporting packs with variance commentary.

• Support cash management: payment forecasting, bank postings and short-term cashflow reporting.

• Act as the finance team's Japanese-language interface with suppliers, banks, tax agents and the Japan-based team.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Native or near-native written and spoken Japanese - mandatory

• Fluent in English (verbal and written) - mandatory

• Around 3-5 years of accounting experience covering month-end close, reconciliations and transactional finance.

• Part-qualified or qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CPA, 日商簿記 2級 or above, or equivalent), or qualified by experience with a demonstrable track record.

• Sound understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and core accounting principles.

• Strong Excel skills - pivot tables, lookups, large-volume data handling and reconciliation techniques.

• Experience with an accounting system such as Sage and / or Oracle Fusion

• Accuracy and attention to detail, with the discipline to reconcile properly rather than round off.

• Proven ability to work independently and manage deadlines in a remote or distributed team.

• Clear written communication - in a remote role, most of your work is handed over in writing.