Assistant Manager, Finance

Job Purpose

We are seeking a proactive and technically strong Finance Manager to lead the day-to-day financial operations. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, you will serve as a key operational anchor, ensuring the Society balances compliance with financial agility.

By optimising daily operations and maintaining a robust, audit-ready environment, you will help build a scalable finance function that supports the Society’s long-term strategic goals.

1. Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Lead, mentor, and upskill a team of Finance Officers and Executives. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional development within the finance team.
• Set clear, achievable KPIs focused on ledger accuracy, timely month-end closing, and reconciliation excellence.
• Champion system utilisation and workflow enhancements to increase departmental efficiency, empowering the team to deliver higher-value analytical support to the Society.
• Act as a reliable operational deputy to the Director of Finance, absorbing day-to-day management to allow leadership to focus on strategic organisational initiatives.

1. Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Take ultimate responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the General Ledger and Full Set of Accounts.
• Drive the month-end and year-end closing timelines, ensuring all accruals, prepayments, fixed assets, and depreciation are accurately posted by the team.
• Prepare statutory Financial Statements and Notes to the Accounts in compliance with relevant accounting standards.
• Act as the primary operational liaison with External Auditors
• Prepare audit schedules, defend accounting treatments, and ensure a clean audit opinion.
• Review quarterly GST returns. Ensure the returns correctly apply input tax logic, taking into account allowed and disallowed items.

1. Fundraising & Funding Management

• Review fund utilisation reports and SOAs for fundraising events
• Submit fund utilisation reports in accordance with donor and regulatory requirements.
• Work with auditors on fundraising events / funding-related audits, including international disaster fundraising where applicable.

1. Treasury & Cash Flow Management

• Manage the Society's working capital. Monitor the cash flow requirements and execute placement of excess cash in accordance with Board mandates.
• Act as the final reviewer for payment runs. Review proposed payment batches for GL accuracy, tax classification, and proper authorisation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for banking matters, managing corporate credit cards, and banking portal access tokens.

1. Budgeting & Cost Control

• Support the Director of Finance in the Annual Budgeting exercise. Consolidate departmental submissions, review operational assumptions, and allocate shared overhead costs appropriately.
• Review monthly "Actual vs. Budget" variance reports. Investigate operational overspends collaboratively with Department Heads and advise on cost-containment strategies.
• Ensure restricted donor funds and grants are utilised correctly, allocated to the right project codes, and utilised within the grant periods.

1. Process Improvement

• Project manage all improvement / automation projects (systems &/or processes), liaising with vendors and end-users as required.
• Review, develop, harmonise and enhance Finance SOPs and internal processes to ensure efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness.

1. Stakeholder & Ad-hoc Support

• Work closely with internal stakeholders to resolve finance-related queries accurately and promptly.
• Support ad-hoc financial analysis and management reports as required.

Job Specifications

• Degree in Accountancy, Finance, or equivalent.
• CA, CPA, ACCA preferred
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive Finance/Accounting experience, with at least 2 years leading a team.
• Proven track record in handling Full Set of Accounts, month-end reporting, and managing external audits.
• Experience in an NGO, non-profit, or grant-funded environment is an advantage.
• Experience driving system improvements or optimising ERP utilisation is highly valued.

• Strong command of spoken and written English.
• Ability to translate complex financial matters into clear, concise reports for non-financial stakeholders (e.g., Donors, Board Members).
• Deep understanding of internal controls, risk management frameworks, and statutory tax logic (GST/VAT).
• Strong analytical skills with meticulous attention to details.
• High proficiency with modern ERP systems and intermediate-to-advanced Excel skills.