Accounting Manager

The Senior Manager – Accounting & Tax (APAC) & Global Payroll is responsible for leading the full spectrum of accounting operations, statutory compliance, tax management, and payroll governance across the APAC region. This role ensures accurate financial reporting in compliance with local GAAP / IFRS, manages regional audits, drives tax strategy and compliance, and oversees end-to-end global payroll processes in coordination with regional HR and global payroll partners.

The role requires strong technical accounting expertise, deep knowledge of APAC regulations, and experience managing multi-country payroll environments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regional Accounting (APAC)

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing activities for APAC entities.
• Ensure accurate reporting under IFRS/local GAAP and alignment with global accounting policies.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, fixed assets, and intercompany transactions.
• Manage consolidation submissions and variance analysis for FP&A teams.
• Oversee regional audits (statutory, internal, and external).
• Drive process improvements and automation across accounting workflows.

1. Tax Compliance & Strategy (APAC)

• Oversee direct and indirect tax compliance across APAC (corporate tax, GST/VAT, WHT, transfer pricing).
• Manage relationships with tax advisors and authorities for assessments, audits, and filings.
• Ensure timely and accurate filing of all tax returns across jurisdictions.
• Support implementation of BEPS, Pillar II, and emerging APAC tax regulatory changes.
• Provide tax advisory support for business expansions, restructuring, and cross-border transactions.
• Maintain tax risk controls and documentation readiness.

1. Global Payroll Oversight

• Lead global payroll governance for all regions in coordination with HR and external payroll vendors.
• Ensure payroll accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with local labor, tax, and social security regulations.
• Review payroll reports, exception analysis, GL integrations, and payroll reconciliations.
• Drive global payroll standardization process.
• Implement strong controls for sensitive payroll data and SOX/ICFR compliance.

1. Stakeholder Management

• Partner with regional HR, legal, compliance, and business leaders.
• Collaborate with global finance teams for audits, policy implementation, and global projects.
• Serve as the subject-matter expert for accounting, tax, and payroll matters for APAC leadership.

1. Leadership & People Management

• Lead and mentor regional accounting and payroll teams.
• Provide performance feedback, skill development, and succession planning.
• Build collaboration between in-house and outsourced service teams.

Education and Experience

• Graduate/MBA/Mcom/CA/Inter-CA
• 10–15+ years of experience in accounting, tax, and payroll operations.
• Strong exposure to multi-country APAC finance management.
• Experience in global payroll operations is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in managing audits, complex tax issues, and global stakeholders.

Technical Skills

• Deep knowledge of IFRS and local APAC GAAP.
• Strong understanding of corporate tax, GST/VAT, transfer pricing, BEPS rules.
• Expertise in payroll processes, statutory requirements, and vendor management.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP / Oracle / NetSuite) and payroll platforms (ADP / Workday).
• Advanced MS Excel and reporting skills.

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight timelines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.