Finance Manager (Retail, Southeast Asia)

WilliamSELECT; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WilliamSELECT is seeking a Finance Manager based in Singapore to oversee end-to-end financial operations across Southeast Asia. The role involves financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, tax compliance and commercial finance to drive profitable growth.

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in retail, consumer, lifestyle or multi-store environments, with a strong understanding of Singapore and Malaysia markets. Collaboration with regional teams is essential.

Qualifications

• 6-8 years of relevant finance and accounting experience.
• Experience in multi-site retail, lifestyle, fashion or consumer environments.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and financial controls knowledge.
• Experience across Singapore and Malaysia preferred.
• Strong Excel and financial modelling capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full finance function for Singapore, Malaysia and SEA markets as required.
• Lead monthly, quarterly and annual financial closings.
• Prepare management accounts, P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reports.
• Analyse financial performance against budget, forecast and prior year.
• Provide commentary on revenue, gross margin, Opex and profitability.
• Coordinate with regional/global finance teams and drive regional reporting.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Finance Manager to oversee the full spectrum of financial operations for a growing lifestyle retail business across Southeast Asia.

Based in Singapore, the Finance Manager will have end-to-end responsibility for financial reporting, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, controls, taxation, compliance and commercial finance. The role will work closely with senior management and the wider regional business to provide accurate financial insight, strengthen financial controls and support profitable growth.

The successful candidate should have strong experience in retail, consumer, lifestyle or multi-store environments, with a good understanding of the financial and operational complexities of businesses operating across Singapore and Malaysia.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the full accounting and finance function for Singapore, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian markets as required.
• Manage monthly, quarterly and annual financial closing processes.
• Prepare accurate and timely management accounts, P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reports.
• Analyse financial performance against budget, forecast and prior-year performance.
• Provide meaningful commentary on revenue, gross margin, operating expenses and profitability.
• Ensure financial records are accurate, complete and maintained in accordance with accounting standards and company policies.
• Coordinate with regional or global finance teams where applicable.

2. Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting and financial planning process across the region.
• Prepare monthly and rolling forecasts based on business performance and market conditions.
• Partner with management to develop financial plans for new stores, markets, product categories and business initiatives.
• Monitor budget utilisation and identify risks, variances and opportunities.
• Provide scenario modelling and financial analysis to support commercial decision-making.

3. Retail Finance & Commercial Analysis

• Partner closely with Retail, Merchandising, Operations, Marketing and Supply Chain teams.
• Monitor key retail KPIs including sales, gross margin, sell-through, markdowns, inventory turnover, store productivity and operating expenses.
• Analyse store-level profitability and provide recommendations to improve financial performance.
• Support business cases for new store openings, relocations, renovations and expansion initiatives.
• Evaluate promotional activities, discounts and commercial initiatives from a financial perspective.
• Develop financial dashboards and reports to provide management with clear visibility of business performance.

4. Accounts Payable, Receivable & General Accounting

• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger and bank reconciliations.
• Ensure timely processing and payment of suppliers, landlords, service providers and other business partners.
• Monitor customer receivables, credit exposure and outstanding balances.
• Establish and maintain appropriate controls over expenditure and payment processes.
• Ensure proper reconciliation of retail sales, payment gateways, credit cards and other collection channels.
• Review and improve finance processes to increase efficiency and accuracy.

5. Cash Flow & Treasury Management

• Manage daily and monthly cash flow requirements across Singapore and Malaysia.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and monitor working capital.
• Manage banking relationships and oversee bank account administration.
• Monitor cash collections, payments and liquidity requirements.
• Support foreign currency management and cross-border transactions where applicable.
• Identify opportunities to improve working capital and cash conversion.

6. Inventory & Cost Control

• Work closely with Merchandising and Operations teams to monitor inventory valuation and working capital.
• Review inventory provisions, stock write-offs, ageing and obsolescence.
• Analyse inventory movement and identify slow-moving or excess stock.
• Support stocktake processes and investigate inventory discrepancies.
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment for inventory, markdowns, discounts and promotional activities.

7. Taxation & Statutory Compliance

• Oversee local tax compliance and reporting requirements for Singapore and Malaysia.
• Coordinate with external tax advisors, auditors and other professional service providers.
• Ensure timely submission of GST/SST and other applicable tax filings.
• Monitor corporate income tax, withholding tax and other statutory obligations.
• Keep management informed of relevant regulatory or taxation developments affecting the business.

8. Audit & Internal Controls

• Lead and coordinate annual statutory audits across relevant entities.
• Liaise with external auditors and provide required financial information and documentation.
• Establish and maintain robust internal financial controls and approval processes.
• Identify control weaknesses and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards and local statutory requirements.
• Review processes to minimise financial risk, fraud and operational leakage.

9. Regional Finance Operations

• Ensure consistency of financial processes, reporting and controls across Southeast Asian markets.
• Work with local finance teams, accountants and external service providers where applicable.
• Consolidate regional financial information and provide management with a clear view of Southeast Asian performance.
• Support intercompany transactions, reconciliations and regional reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting from Singapore and Malaysia entities.
• Review and improve finance processes to support business growth and scalability.
• Drive automation and enhancement of accounting, reporting and retail finance systems.
• Ensure effective integration between POS, ERP, inventory and accounting systems.
• Develop standardised reporting and financial controls across the region.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen financial governance.

11. Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead, coach and develop finance personnel where applicable.
• Establish clear priorities, processes and performance expectations within the finance team.
• Act as a trusted financial business partner to the General Manager, Regional Management and senior leadership.
• Translate financial information into practical commercial insights for non-finance stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with regional and global finance teams to align local requirements with broader business objectives.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 6-8 years of relevant finance and accounting experience, preferably within retail, lifestyle, consumer, fashion, hospitality or other multi-site environments.
• Strong hands-on experience across accounting, management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and financial controls.
• Experience managing finance activities across Singapore and Malaysia is strongly preferred.
• Good understanding of Singapore and Malaysian accounting, taxation and statutory requirements.
• Strong commercial understanding of retail business models.
• Experience with inventory accounting, retail sales reconciliation and store-level profitability is highly advantageous.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate financial data into commercial recommendations.
• Strong Excel and financial modelling capabilities.
• Experience with ERP/accounting systems and POS integration.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working in a regional, fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment.
• Able to operate both strategically and hands-on, with a willingness to get into the detail when required.