Payroll Specialist, APAC with fluent Mandarin

The APAC Payroll Specialist is responsible for managing end‑to‑end payroll operations and payroll accounting across multiple countries within the Asia‑Pacific region, including China, Japan, South Korea, and other APAC markets.

This role ensures payroll accuracy, compliance with local statutory requirements, and proper payroll‑related accounting entries. The role requires close collaboration with HR, Finance, and external payroll vendors to ensure timely payroll processing and reconciliation.

Fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English is required to support China payroll operations.

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Key Responsibilities

Payroll Operations

• Manage end‑to‑end payroll processing for assigned APAC countries including China, Japan, South Korea, and other APAC entities.
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and on schedule in compliance with local labour laws, tax regulations, and statutory requirements.
• Review payroll inputs such as new hires, terminations, salary adjustments, bonuses, commissions, and statutory deductions.
• Validate payroll reports and payroll registers prior to final payroll approval and payment.
• Manage year‑end tax adjustments and tax filings for assigned APAC countries.

Payroll Accounting & Financial Reconciliation

• Prepare and review payroll journal entries for posting into the general ledger.
• Reconcile payroll‑related accounts including salary expenses, bonus accruals, tax liabilities, and statutory contributions.
• Support month‑end and year‑end close processes related to payroll accounting.
• Work closely with the Finance and Accounting teams to ensure payroll costs are accurately reflected in financial statements.
• Assist with payroll accrual calculations and reconciliation of payroll balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare monthly payroll forecasting to ensure sufficient cash flow is allocated.

Compliance & Statutory Management

• Ensure compliance with local payroll regulations, tax laws, and statutory filings across APAC countries and stay updated on changes.
• Coordinate statutory payments including income tax, social insurance, pension contributions, housing funds, and other statutory deductions.
• Maintain payroll documentation and support internal and external audits.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with local payroll vendors and service providers across APAC.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and regional payroll teams to resolve payroll queries and issues.
• Address all employee payroll queries satisfactorily and ensure proper closure.
• Provide payroll reports and data required for management reporting and financial reconciliation.

Process Improvement

• Support payroll process improvements and standardisation across APAC.
• Participate in regional payroll system implementations or upgrades (if any).
• Identify opportunities to enhance payroll efficiency, compliance, and reporting accuracy.
• Assist with other accounting and finance functions (payroll‑related tasks) as needed.

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Skills & Competencies

• Fluent in Mandarin Chinese and English (spoken and written).
• Hands‑on experience managing China payroll is required.
• Experience with Japan and South Korea payroll is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of APAC payroll compliance and statutory requirements.
• Good understanding of payroll accounting and general ledger reconciliation.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple country payrolls and deadlines.