Finance Manager

watson farley & williams llp; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Watson Farley & Williams LLP in Singapore, Sydney and Seoul seeks an experienced Finance Manager to oversee financial operations, reporting, budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow management across APAC offices.

Reporting to the Financial Controller APAC, you will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, mentor the finance team and provide strategic financial analysis to support the firm's growth and profitability across multiple jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; CPA or equivalent preferred.
• At least 7 years of finance and accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial capacity.
• Essential requirement - demonstrated finance experience within a law firm or professional services environment, with a strong understanding of working within a partnership business structure.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, cash flow management and financial reporting.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and month-end processes.
• Lead credit control, WIP reviews and debtor management to support profitability and cash collection.
• Oversee payroll administration and ensure compliance with accounting standards, statutory, tax and employment-related requirements.
• Manage client and office accounts, banking relationships and treasury activities.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, Solicitors' Accounts Rules and other regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate tax filings, GST reporting, audits and annual regulatory submissions.
• Partner with leadership teams to provide commercial, pricing and profitability insights.
• Build strong relationships with partners, clients, auditors, banks and external advisers.
• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team while promoting strong financial controls and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with the Sydney and Seoul offices to ensure and maintain consistent financial and reporting standards across multiple jurisdictions.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting and forecasting

Financial reporting

Stakeholder management

Multijurisdictional experience

Education

Degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Aderant

Job description

Our Finance Team is currently recruiting for an experienced Finance Manager who is responsible for overseeing the financial operations and reporting activities in our Singapore, Sydney and Seoul offices. This includes managing accounts receivable and payable, payroll, budgeting, forecasting, and providing financial analysis to support the firm's strategic decision making. Reporting to the Financial Controller APAC, the Finance Manager will ensure sound financial practices and compliance across the Firm.

Key responsibilities:

• Oversee accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, cash flow management and financial reporting.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and month-end processes.
• Lead credit control, WIP reviews and debtor management to support profitability and cash collection.
• Oversee payroll administration and ensure compliance with accounting standards, statutory, tax and employment-related requirements.
• Manage client and office accounts, banking relationships and treasury activities.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, Solicitors' Accounts Rules and other regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate tax filings, GST reporting, audits and annual regulatory submissions.
• Partner with leadership teams to provide commercial, pricing and profitability insights.
• Build strong relationships with partners, clients, auditors, banks and external advisers.
• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team while promoting strong financial controls and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with the Sydney and Seoul offices to ensure and maintain consistent financial and reporting standards across multiple jurisdictions.

Requirements:

• Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; CPA or equivalent preferred.
• At least 7 years of finance and accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial capacity.
• Essential requirement - demonstrated finance experience within a law firm or professional services environment, with a strong understanding of working within a partnership business structure.
• In-depth knowledge of Singapore accounting standards, tax regulations, payroll and financial reporting requirements.
• Proven experience in financial operations, budgeting, cash flow management and regulatory compliance.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and leadership skills.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions is highly advantageous.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial systems; Aderant and Power BI experience are a plus.

Personal attributes:

• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with a focus on accountability, development and team success.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels.
• Demonstrates professionalism, sound judgement, integrity and discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Highly organised with strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive and respectful workplace culture.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.