About Northern Trust

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.

Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world's most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world's most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Role Summary

Responsible for the delivery of all Finance services for the legal entities, the Head of Finance, Philippines is a key business partner in the location working with Line of Business heads and functional leads to achieve Northern Trust's business goals in the jurisdiction.

Reporting into the APAC CFO based in Singapore, the Head of Finance, Philippines is a member of the APAC Finance Leadership Team, supporting the delivery and oversight directly or indirectly of most Finance functions in Manila. The Head of Finance, Philippines also has an indirect reporting line into the Philippines Country Head and is a key member of the Manila, Executive Management Team.

In addition to the technical skills required to oversee the Finance function for financial services entities, the successful candidate will have excellent people management skills, using them to both manage a local team and provide effective oversight for financial processes outsourced to group affiliates.

Individuals with previous banking experience are of particular interest for the role.

Principal Responsibilities

Responsibility of all business finance activities for the Philippines legal entities, including financial control, regulatory reporting, statutory accounting, business reporting and analysis, management reporting, capital & liquidity management and taxation.
Primary and direct responsibility for planning, overseeing and directing the activities of the Manila Finance function towards achievement of the Corporation's objectives and for timely briefing and reporting on Finance matters to management, risk and legal entity governance bodies.
Responsibility for the production and integrity of Philippines's financial information and its regulatory reporting in respect of its activities.
Participating in the development of the business unit strategic plan and financial budgeting processes and for the provision of financial insights and analysis in support of business decision-making.
Actively seeks out and value ideas and opinions from others who are different than you; Practice and model inclusive leadership behaviors giving all colleagues an opportunity to contribute to their full potential by identifying and eliminating barriers and bias which prevent this from occurring
Develop talent through autonomy, trust, and resources – allow room for failure. Ensure all colleagues receive timely and complete feedback, enabling them to improve their overall performance and contribution to the Company
Lead with energy and speed; set high expectations and take ownership

Other Key Accountabilities

Oversee an effective management information process, including active engagement with business and functions both locally and globally.
Primary responsibility in the first line of defence for understanding and managing the risks inherent in the Finance function and for taking reasonable steps to ensure the adequacy of the control and governance arrangements within that function.
Ensure the requirements of Manila, Finance function are properly supported by a robust infrastructure and that adequate resources, systems and controls are in place to comply with all applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, corporate policies and NT corporate governance standards.
Ensure effective risk management of the activities of Manila, Finance function.
Support Philippines's Senior Management in providing the Board with sound advice on the organizational objectives, strategy, structure and significant policies.
Manage key external relationships with Tax Authorities, External Auditors and other key outside stakeholders.
Manage the preparation and completion of all applicable financial statements
Ensure that the Manila Finance Function is adequately resourced, that the performance management process is followed with training and development needs appropriately identified and addressed.
Ensure the ongoing competence and capability of individuals within Manila, Finance function and monitor that team members act with due skill, care and diligence.
Encourage an environment of employee participation, teamwork and open communication where regulatory compliance is an intrinsic part of the culture and day to day operations of the Philippines business.
Promote Northern Trust's corporate values of Service, Integrity and Expertise
Act as a role model and demonstrate behaviours in a way that is aligned to the Conduct framework and enforces the values and ethical standards of the Corporation.
Proactively drives continuous improvement in the team by stressing the importance of ongoing evaluation of existing processes to promote greater effectiveness.
Work as part of the wider International Finance function, engaging with other teams to help meet group objectives

Other

The profile is not an exhaustive list of the activities that the role holder may be required to undertake. The Company may require the role holder to perform other duties as the Company deem necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Relationships

Internal key stakeholders:

Global Finance Leadership Team members
Manila, Executive Management Team
Legal Entity Board and Committee members

External Key Stakeholders

External Auditors
External Advisors
Tax Authorities

Skills /Experience

Qualified Accountant with expertise in financial control, reporting, UGAAP & IGAAP accounting with emphasis on a running the accounting function for a Global Inhouse Centre
Advance knowledge & hands on experience in Direct & Indirect taxation for the services business & expert knowledge of PEZA and BOI regulations.
Experience in handling Tax assessments, interacting with authorities across all regulatory bodies.
Advance knowledge of Companies Act, Treasury Function in areas of arranging limits with Banks, ECB, placement/ usage/ effective management of idle funds
Experience to handle a team of professionals & able to handle the matrix reporting structure
Working knowledge/ oversight of finance operational activities like Procurement and Market
Experience in handling/ contributing in cross functional projects in areas of Payroll, Facilities, Physical security
Experience in handling/ executing BCP situation in event of shut down, strikes & natural calamities
Experience in handling People management with emphasis on Talent development & Talent placement
Ability to provide direction and leadership to manage staff members and champion new initiatives across all lines of business.
Excellent analytical and evaluation skills combined with considerable attention to detail.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt to various audiences.
Flexible approach to process changes and variable workloads.
Ability to make sound decisions and resolve problems before they escalate.
Thorough business knowledge and big picture understanding that is likely to have been gained through fifteen or more years of relevant accounting work experience.

Working With Us

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.

Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.

We'd love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world's most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater

Reasonable accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at [HIDDEN TEXT].

We hope you're excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.

Apply today and talk to us about your flexible working requirements and together we can achieve greater.

About Our Manila Office

The Northern Trust Manila office celebrated a decade of excellence in 2024. Through agility, resiliency, innovation, and excellence, they have evolved into a dynamic hub with diverse capabilities and a thriving workforce of over 1,200 — driving meaningful impact and sustainable growth. Learn more.

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