Senior Financial Control Analyst

Manulife Insurance Malaysia; Philippines; Hybrid; PHP 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife Insurance Malaysia is seeking a Financial Control Senior Analyst to lead complex analyses, journal entries, month-end close, and reporting across systems. Define general ledger structure, ensure SOX controls, and drive accurate financial submissions.

The role emphasizes collaboration with HR on compensation accounting, cost management, budgeting, and system enhancements, including ERP, Fieldglass and Ivalua, to improve efficiency and insight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA preferred.
• 4–6 years in financial control, accounting operations and reporting.
• Experience with R2R, P2P and O2C processes.
• Strong ability to lead cross-functional projects and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end close, including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Develop and review statutory and management financial statements.
• Provide analytical support for incentives and cost planning.
• Support SOX compliance and internal controls.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Financial analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or equivalent

CMA/CFA advantage

Tools

ERP systems

Fieldglass

Ivalua

Job description

Position Responsibilities

The role, under general supervision, is responsible for conducting complex financial, accounting and economic analyses, including journal entry preparation, detailed calculations and internal and external reporting. Position Responsibilities: Accounting and Reporting Record-to-Report Execution: Lead the implementation of new or updated accounting and reporting standards, ensuring accurate application and alignment with corporate policies. Identify and assess accounting treatment for complex or unusual transactions, providing recommendations and documentation to support decisions. Review and validate the accuracy and legitimacy of recorded financial transactions and related reports, ensuring completeness and compliance. Period Close: Independently oversee month-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, reclasses, and reconciliations across integrated and non-integrated systems. Define and maintain general ledger accounts and ensure the integrity of the chart of accounts. Review and signoff reconciliation outputs, ensuring substantiation and resolution of discrepancies; approve and release journal entries in accordance with internal controls and compliance standards; and ensuring timely and accurate financial submissions.

Benefits and Compensation Process

Process: Provide advanced financial oversight and analysis of MFC employee compensation and benefits programs. Activities may include: Ensuring that the accounting and financial reporting processes for compensation-related expenses (such as salaries, bonuses, and benefits accruals) comply with internal controls, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements. Strategically collaborating with HR to ensure the validity of payroll inputs, incentive payouts, and benefits costs. Interpret and challenge compensation trends, variances, and accruals to support strategic planning and forecasting.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

Ensure an effective review of the financial statement preparation of statutory and management reporting by ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations. Activities may include: Prepare and review financial statements and management reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal and external requirements. Identify potential compliance risks and recommend mitigation strategies to senior stakeholders. Ensure timely and accurate completion of all financial reporting obligations.

Reporting and Analytical Support

Design and implement reporting systems and processes to deliver high-quality management information. Review ad-hoc analyses to ensure effectiveness in addressing stakeholder needs. Develop performance and project reporting tools tailored to business unit needs. Provide analytical support for incentive compensation, marketing allowances, and deferred incentive plans (DIP), ensuring accuracy and strategic alignment.

Accounting Advisory Support

Act as a subject matter expert in accounting discussions, providing guidance on complex issues and new business models. Act as a subject matter expert to cross-functional teams in accounting discussions, providing guidance on complex issues during new business model evaluations, project initiatives, and resolution of ad-hoc accounting inquiries. Interpret and apply new accounting standards, ensuring consistent implementation and alignment with corporate policies across functions. Provide expert guidance in meetings, calls, and reporting activities related to changes in booking methodologies, regulatory studies, and financial reporting requirements. Collaborate with senior stakeholders to assess financial impact of strategic initiatives and regulatory changes.

Cost Management & Planning

Cost Accounting: Apply advanced costing methodologies (standard, marginal, absorption) and interpret cost variances (material, labor, overhead) to provide actionable insights. Lead cost analysis initiatives to identify performance issues and cost-reduction opportunities. Supervise preparation of detailed cost reports to support operational and strategic decision-making.

Budgeting & Forecasting

Ensure the support of budgeting, forecasting, and business planning activities by reviewing accurate preparation, variance analyses, and delivering insights that support strategic decision-making. Analyze cost drivers and trends to inform budget development and scenario planning.

Expense Management

Accountable for highly effective expense management by independently managing expense recording, allocation, and reconciliation processes across legal entities; conducting audits of general expenses and supervising suspense account reconciliations. Ensure expense management practices align with financial controls and strategic objectives.

Process Compliance & Improvement

Identify and implement process improvement initiatives, leveraging best practices and industry trends. Ensure compliance with SOX controls and internal policies, supporting audit readiness and control effectiveness.

Systems Proficiency

Maintain expertise in ERP and accounting systems; recommend and support system enhancements. Ensure that support systems such as Fieldglass and Ivalua feed effectively into accounting systems. Participate in the functional design and implementation of new accounting technologies and tools.

System Admin Maintenance

Oversee setup and maintenance of cost centers, accounting units, and account structures to ensure accurate financial data flow and reporting.

Collaboration, Projects & Stakeholders

Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate complex financial information with clarity and context to diverse stakeholders. Analyze stakeholder profiles to identify opportunities for collaboration and efficiency. Project Participation: Independently manage components of multiple project plans, including business cases, contingencies, and critical paths. Monitor implementation progress, resolve obstacles, and communicate outcomes effectively. Finance Process Modernization: Actively contributes to transformation initiatives, leveraging technology and process redesign to improve efficiency and insight. Teamwork & Leadership: Foster a collaborative working environment by engaging with peers and cross-functional teams. Share expertise and insights to support team goals and enhance collective performance. Promote trust, openness, and respect in team interactions. Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrate advanced interpersonal and influencing skills by proactively participating in cross-functional discussions, navigating stakeholder dynamics with professionalism and tact, and resolving conflicts constructively. Collaborates to drive alignment and shared accountability for organizational objectives. Decision Authority. The Financial Control Senior Analyst operates with a high degree of autonomy and is empowered to make decisions within the scope of their responsibilities, including: Accounting Treatment Recommendations: Independently assess and recommend appropriate accounting treatments for complex or non-standard transactions, ensuring alignment with professional standards and corporate policies. Journal Entry Approval: Approve and release journal entries in accordance with internal controls and compliance requirements. Reconciliation Signoff: Validate and sign off on account reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial records. Reporting and Analysis: Determine the structure and content of management and performance reports, ensuring relevance and clarity for stakeholders. Process Improvements: Identify and implement process enhancements, including recommending changes to accounting procedures, systems, and controls. Project Execution: Make decisions related to assigned project components, including timelines, resource utilization, and issue resolution. Stakeholder Engagement: Exercise judgment in communicating financial insights, resolving conflicts, and influencing cross-functional alignment on financial matters. While the role does not include formal people management responsibilities, the analyst is expected to provide expert guidance, influence decisions, and contribute to the success of broader team and organizational objectives.

Required Qualifications

Education & Certification Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. CPA or equivalent professional certification required; advanced certifications (e.g., CMA, CFA) are an advantage. Experience 4 to 6 years of progressive experience in financial control, accounting operations, and reporting, including Record-to-Report (R2R), Procure-to-Pay (P2P), and Order-to-Cash (O2C). Demonstrated experience in managing complex accounting transactions, financial reporting, cost analysis, and compliance. Proven track record of contributing to cross-functional projects, process improvement initiatives, and transformation programs. Experience in interpreting and applying accounting standards and leading financial analysis to support strategic decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications

Soft Skills Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and resolve high-impact issues. Advanced communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to convey technical concepts to diverse stakeholders and influence cross-functional alignment. Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and functions. Proactive mindset with adaptability to change and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. Successful Behaviors Lead through expertise by sharing insights, guiding peers, and contributing to team success without formal people management responsibilities. Take full ownership of deliverables, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with strategic objectives. Exhibit sound judgment, initiative, and accountability in managing tasks and resolving challenges. Understand and support business strategy, evaluating the financial impact of change and contributing to transformation efforts. Promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment, fostering trust, respect, and shared accountability.

When you join our team:

We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words. As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see. About Manulife and John Hancock Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html. Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail]. Working Arrangement Hybrid We're Manulife. And we’re on a mission to make decisions easier and lives better. Better is what drives us. It’s what inspires us to find new ways to support customers and colleagues in living longer and healthier lives. It’s the reason we’re dedicated to investing in digital innovation and accelerating a sustainable and economically inclusive future. Joining us means you’ll be empowered to learn and grow your career. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words. And as part of our global team, you’ll help shape the future you want to see – and discover that better can take you anywhere you want to go. We’re proud of our accomplishments and recognitions. Recent awards include: 2024 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner Manulife Named one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2023 Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2023 We’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2024) Manulife included in Bloomberg’s 2023 Gender-Equality Index To receive our latest job opportunities directly to your inbox, create an account or sign in and navigate to the ‘Job Alerts’ section located in the top right corner of the page. From there, you can sign up to receive job alerts. Our ambition is to be the most digital, customer-centric global company in our industry. Learn more at https://www.manulife.com/.