Finance Manager Accounting and Tax

Job Overview

The Finance Manager will oversee the company's accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, audit, and internal control activities in the Philippines and supported by AP and GL accountants. This is a hands-on management role responsible for ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, a disciplined month-end close, and full compliance with Philippine tax and statutory requirements.

The Finance Manager will also directly supervise a Tax Associate, review all material tax filings and reconciliations, manage BIR examinations, and provide technical guidance on the tax implications of business transactions.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing processes.
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, schedules, accruals, and financial statements.
• Ensure financial records are accurate, complete, and compliant with company policies and applicable accounting standards.
• Analyse financial results and provide meaningful explanations for material variances.
• Ensure balance sheet accounts are properly reconciled and outstanding items are resolved promptly.
• Coordinate with regional or group Finance teams on reporting requirements and deadlines.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow management where required.

Tax Compliance and Advisory

• Take overall ownership of the company's Philippine tax compliance and reporting.
• Review tax returns and supporting schedules prepared by the Tax Associate, including VAT, expanded withholding tax, final withholding tax, corporate income tax, and other applicable taxes.
• Ensure that all tax filings, payments, alphalists, and tax certificates are accurate and submitted on time.
• Review tax reconciliations against the general ledger and ensure differences are investigated and resolved.
• Advise business and Finance stakeholders on the appropriate tax treatment of transactions.
• Monitor changes in Philippine tax regulations and assess their impact on the company.
• Oversee BIR audits, Letters of Authority, tax assessments, and requests for information.
• Coordinate with external tax advisers, auditors, legal counsel, and government agencies when necessary.
• Identify potential tax exposures and recommend appropriate corrective or mitigating actions.

Team Leadership

• Directly supervise, coach, and develop the finance team members.
• Review the tax associate's work and provide technical guidance on complex tax matters.
• Set clear deliverables, filing calendars, performance expectations, and development goals.
• Ensure adequate segregation of duties, review controls, and backup arrangements within the Finance team.
• Promote accountability, accuracy, timely escalation, and strong documentation practices.

Audit, Compliance, and Internal Controls

• Lead the preparation of schedules and supporting documents for internal and external audits.
• Ensure all accounting and tax records are complete, properly maintained, and audit-ready.
• Develop and strengthen financial controls, policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Monitor compliance with company approval limits, procurement requirements, and payment controls.
• Identify control gaps and implement practical process improvements.
• Support statutory reporting, business permit renewals, and other regulatory requirements.

Business Partnership

• Work closely with Operations, Commercial, Procurement, Legal, Payroll, and other departments on financial and tax matters.
• Evaluate the accounting, tax, cash-flow, and control implications of new initiatives and commercial arrangements.
• Provide management with timely financial insights, risk assessments, and recommendations.
• Support automation and process-improvement initiatives across Finance.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accountancy, Finance, or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant qualification is strongly preferred.
• At least five years of relevant experience in accounting and Philippine taxation, including at least two years in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• Prior experience in a commercial or corporate environment is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Philippine taxation, BIR regulations, statutory compliance, and financial reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated experience reviewing tax returns, reconciliations, alphalists, and supporting schedules.
• Experience handling BIR audits, Letters of Authority, and tax assessments.
• Strong understanding of month-end closing, general ledger accounting, balance sheet reconciliations, and financial controls.
• Familiarity with eFPS, eBIRForms, and other relevant government filing platforms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets; experience with Netsuite is preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver accurately under tight deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of integrity, professional judgement, and attention to detail.

Key Competencies

• Financial and tax technical expertise
• Leadership and people development
• Ownership and accountability
• Analytical and commercial judgement
• Planning and deadline management
• Internal control awareness
• Stakeholder management
• Clear communication and escalation
• Process improvement
• Integrity and confidentiality

Performance Expectations

• Accurate and timely completion of monthly and annual financial reporting.
• Full and timely compliance with tax and statutory requirements.
• Strong review and supervision of the team's work
• Complete, organised, and audit-ready accounting and tax documentation.
• Prompt identification and resolution of accounting, tax, and control issues.
• Effective management of BIR audits and other regulatory matters.
• Continuous improvement in Finance processes, controls, and team capability.