Assistant Director, Finance

IPOS INTERNATIONAL PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

IPOS International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, seeks an Assistant Director, Finance to strengthen finance operations, tax and reporting, governance, and business partnering across the organisation. You will oversee grants, tax, audit, revenue, financial assessments, controls and management reporting while supporting IT cost assessments, digitalisation and cross‑functional projects.

Strong finance fundamentals and data awareness are essential.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of relevant finance, audit experience.
• Experience in public sector or grant-funded environment preferred.
• Strong ability to translate complex finance concepts for non-finance stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance operations, grants, costing, billing and monitoring workplans.
• Coordinate grant, statutory and internal audits with proper records.
• Oversee intercompany reconciliations and item resolution.
• Prepare management updates on SOPs and DOA and other developments.
• Oversee tax compliance, GST filings, and tax-related matters.
• Review data accuracy in D365 and support finance system initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and governance documentation.
• Support budgeting and financial analysis for cross-functional projects.

Skills

Excel

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Degree in Accountancy/Finance

CA/CPA/ACCA qualification (advantage)

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365)

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a hands‑on and experienced Assistant Director, Finance to strengthen finance operations, tax and reporting, governance, and business partnering across IPOS International. Reporting to the Senior Assistant Director, Finance, you will oversee key workstreams covering grants, tax, audit, revenue, financial assessments, controls and management reporting. The role also supports organisational initiatives involving finance systems, IT cost assessments, process improvements, PDPA, digitalisation and cross‑functional projects. The role requires strong finance fundamentals, sound judgement, good tax knowledge and the ability to work confidently with data, systems and stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities

Finance Operations, Grants and Reporting

• Lead grant tracking, costing, billing, workplan monitoring and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate grant, statutory and internal audit matters, ensuring timely responses and proper records.
• Oversee intercompany reconciliations and resolution of outstanding items.
• Prepare management updates on finance matters, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Finance Delegation of Authority (DOA) and key operational developments.

Tax, Revenue and Compliance

• Manage corporate tax matters, including tax computations, IRAS queries and related follow‑ups.
• Oversee GST compliance, filings and advise on tax matters such as grants, withholding tax, application of tax on activities and issuance of certificates of residence.
• Review government survey submissions for accuracy and completeness.
• Oversee the completeness and accuracy of operational and financial data from business units transferred to Microsoft Dynamic 365 Business Central (D365), including related revenue and finance system matters.

Controls, Governance and Stakeholder Support

• Ensure compliance with Finance SOPs and internal controls, and review, update and enhance them to reflect process changes, operational improvements and identified control or audit gaps.
• Coordinate PDPA matters as the Finance representative.
• Liaise with Legal, the Board and relevant stakeholders on bank mandates, DOA and governance documentation.
• Support Corporate Planning & Support functional units on budgeting and other reporting including providing financial statistics data for reports /applications.
• Conduct financial assessments of vendors for tenders and procurement exercises.

Systems, Digital Initiatives and Cross‑Functional Projects

• Assess finance implications and costs arising from IT systems, automation and AI‑enabled initiatives.
• Oversee the finance aspects of the interface between the Training Management System and D365, including data exchange requirements and future integration enhancements.

Are you the one?

• A Degree in Accountancy, Finance, Business or a related discipline. Professional accounting qualifications such as CA, CPA or ACCA would be an advantage.
• At least eight years of relevant finance, audit experience, preferably in a public sector, government‑linked, regulated or grant‑funded environment.
• Mandatory knowledge and use of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (D365). Good Excel skills is a must.
• Strong working knowledge of finance operations, grant management, tax compliance, audit coordination, accounts receivable, fixed assets, internal controls and management reporting.
• Experience working with cross‑functional stakeholders and external parties including outsource vendors (bookkeepers), auditors, bankers.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to manage multiple complex priorities and tight timelines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain finance matters to non‑finance stakeholders and prepare concise updates for management.
• High integrity, ownership and digital confidence. You should be comfortable using data, automation and AI‑enabled tools responsibly while protecting confidential information and following organisational policies.

About IPOS International

IPOS International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), is the capability‑building arm of the IPOS. We work with enterprises and governments to turn intangible assets and intellectual property (IP) into real business outcomes‑driving growth, market expansion, competitive edge and investor readiness. Backed by over 100 IP specialists, including IP strategists, faculty and patent analysts, we bring deep expertise and commercial insight to help organisations grow in the global innovation economy. To achieve this, we will offer committed and passionate individuals a place where their talent and opinions are valued. To succeed as an organisation, we believe in