Senior Manager / Manager, Finance (HQ-RDF SERC)

A*STAR Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR is seeking a Senior Manager/Manager, Finance (HQ-RDF SERC) in Singapore to lead a small finance team in managing research development funds. You will oversee budgeting, reporting, and business partnering with project stakeholders to ensure efficient fund utilisation and compliant financial controls.

The role requires strong accounting background (ACCA preferred), excellent analytical and communication skills, and the ability to drive process improvements in a fast-paced public-sector

Qualifications

• Qualification in Accountancy/ ACCA; preferably 3+ years of relevant accounting experience; experience in managing a small finance team.
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• High learning agility, adaptability and perseverance.
• Able to multi-task and deliver results under tight timelines.
• Meticulous, organized and resourceful.
• Proficient in MS Office applications.
• Knowledge of SAP S4 Hana and Tableau/Power BI advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting exercises and MTI budget reviews; consolidate requests and present to management.
• Prepare grants management monitoring reports; provide financial insights to management.
• Review payments, billing and journals; oversee FRs/FSOAs for grants and projects.
• Drive digitalisation initiatives; ERP and grants system enhancements; dashboards.
• Handle accounts payable and vendor management; ensure internal control compliance.

Skills

Team leadership

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Accountancy / ACCA

Tools

SAP S4 Hana

Tableau / Power BI

MS Office

Job description

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View profile Employee Login Job Description Job Alerts Link Job Title: Senior Manager / Manager, Finance (HQ-RDF SERC) Requisition ID: 1474 Posting Start Date: 14/04/2026

Summary

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. A*STAR's research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.

A*STAR is recognized by many accountancy organizations: ISCA, ACCA, CPA Australia, and ICAEW.

Job Description

The appointed Senior Manager/Manager will supervise a small team of Senior Associates/ Associates on the management and administration of research development funds (RDF) for A*STAR.

Budgeting

• Manage the annual budgeting exercise, medium term expenditure budget review for submission to parent Ministry and or to be tabled at A*STAR Management meetings, Board-EXCO and Board. Review and query submitted budget requests from divisions, consolidate the budget requests and present the annual operating budget to management for approval. Follow up with respective stakeholders to address budget queries raised by management. Ensure timely reporting of monthly budget utilisation status to Councils and Divisions. Support the MTI's 5-year Research Innovation and Enterprise tranche budget exercise including preparation of data, liaising with divisions and preparing budget submission through Joint Planning Hub/Policy and Planning Division. Provide finance inputs to project funding papers to grants funding agencies

Reporting and Business Partnering

• Prepare the grants management monitoring reports monthly and present regularly at management meetings. Ensure timely preparation and submission of internal and external stakeholders reporting including presentation slides. Act as effective business partner to management and other stakeholders in providing financial insights/ advice to achieve business objectives.

Operations

• Review and approve payment, billing and receipts journals raised by Senior Associates / Associates. Prepare fund requisitions (FRs) and final statement of accounts (FSOAs) of projects grants for submission to grantor. Review FRs and FSOAs submitted by grantees. Track verification status of FRs and FSOA for timely fund disbursements to grantees. Ensure timely submission of FRs and FSOAs by grantees and by A*STAR to other funding agencies. Involve in month-end and financial year-end closing activities Drive digitalisation initiatives to achieve operational efficiency and optimise resource allocation and utilization. (e.g. new ERP system, Grants system enhancements, management reporting dashboard, RPA and etc). Other tasks e.g. Accounts Payable duties like vendor management.

Internal Controls and Audit Management

• Ensure timely submission of grant audit reports by grantees in accordance with A*STAR Grant Audit Framework (for A*STAR grants) / NRF's Enhanced Positive Affimation Framework (for NRF grants). Liaise with internal and external auditors/tax agents/corporate secretary/banks/ etc on all matters. Review processes to be in compliance with Government IMs and policies and A*STAR's Financial Policies, Procedures and Guidance Notes.

Others

• Provide support to projects Any other tasks assigned

Requirements

• Qualification in Accountancy/ ACCA Preferably at least 3 years of relevant accounting experience, with experience in managing a small team of finance staff Strong analytical, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills High learning agility, adaptability and perseverance Able to multi-task and deliver results under tight timelines Meticulous, organised and resourceful Proficient in MS Office applications Knowledge of SAP S4 Hana and Tableau/Power BI will be advantageous
• Open to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs)

The above eligibility criteria are not exhaustive. A*STAR may include additional selection criteria based on its prevailing recruitment policies. These policies may be amended from time to time without notice. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

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