The Divisional Financial Controller is responsible for the accounting operations and financial control of the China distribution division, which operates primarily on a drop-ship model (goods purchased from suppliers and shipped directly to customers, with limited inventory holding). The role ensures compliance with local tax, customs, and regulatory deadlines, oversees invoicing, payroll, and profitability analysis, and serves as the primary finance liaison between the division and the parent company, ensuring timely and accurate transmission of financial information.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee general accounting and the monthly, quarterly, and annual close of the entity.
- Supervise and review the work of an accounting clerk handling clerical and administrative tasks (invoice processing, data entry, filing, basic bookkeeping support).
- Supervise the local payroll process.
- Manage customer invoicing and ensure timely, accurate billing.
- Ensure compliance with local tax, social security, customs, and regulatory filing deadlines.
- Manage import VAT, customs duties, and, where applicable, export VAT refund processes related to distributed goods.
- Manage accounts receivable and credit control for divisions customers, including collections and aging
- Ensure local accounting compliance (Chinese GAAP) and reconciliation with Head Office accounting standards.
- Prepare and submit periodic financial statements and reports to the parent company per the group's close calendar.
- Support the head office finance team with information and analysis on the division.
- Participate in the budget and forecast process.
- Coordinate with external providers in China (accounting firm, tax advisor, auditors, customs brokers, banks).
- Own the local annual statutory audit and verification, and provide support to the parent company's annual audit.
- Maintain internal controls over payments and cash management.
- Complete administrative paperwork required for financial transactions with the overseas head office (e.g., intercompany wire transfers, banking and compliance forms).
- Participate in the setup and continuous improvement of the new entity's financial and administrative processes.
- Act as the local point of contact for local financial and administrative matters.
Requirements
- CPA designation or recognized equivalent.
- Relevant experience in financial control or accounting, ideally within a distribution or import-export business.
- Strong proficiency in Excel; experience with accounting/ERP systems an asset.
- Professional English required, written and spoken (ongoing communication with the parent company).
- Fluent Mandarin (local working language).
Nice to Have
- Experience working within an entity with a foreign parent company.
- Experience setting up a new legal entity (start-up operations).
- Experience in a distribution company (import-export, drop-shipping).
- Prior experience supervising junior accounting/clerical staff.
