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About the Role

The Assistant Finance Manager will lead the day-to-day finance operations of FT Japan, support finance activities across other Asia entities, and ensure accurate financial reporting, strong financial controls, and compliance with local statutory requirements and FT Group policies. This role serves as a key finance business partner, driving continuous process improvement and promoting strong governance.

Responsibilities

Lead month-end, quarter-end and year-end close processes for accurate and timely financial reporting.
Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations, investigating outstanding items for completeness and accuracy.
Review financial results, perform variance analysis, and explain key movements.
Monitor cash flow requirements to support daily business operations.
Ensure compliance with FT Group accounting policies and IFRS.
Coordinate statutory reporting requirements and annual external audits.
Liaise with external auditors, tax advisers, and regulatory authorities.
Prepare and review corporate tax, consumption tax, and other statutory filings.
Monitor changes in Japanese accounting and tax regulations and assess their impact.
Ensure timely completion of all statutory and compliance obligations.
Maintain effective financial controls and ensure compliance with FT policies and global standards.
Support internal and external audit activities and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.
Maintain finance procedures, process documentation, and control frameworks.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through process automation and standardization.
Act as the primary Finance contact for the regional Accounting Services team.
Partner with Accounting Services to ensure accurate and timely completion of month-end accounting activities.
Collaborate with Accounting Services to investigate and resolve accounting issues promptly.
Contribute to operational meetings with Accounting Services by identifying and resolving issues, agreeing action plans, and monitoring progress.
Work with regional Finance teams to identify opportunities for process improvements and enhance service delivery.
Manage banking administration, payment processing, and cash management activities.
Ensure timely and accurate execution of supplier, employee, tax, and statutory payments.
Maintain appropriate banking controls and payment authorization procedures.
Lead or participate in finance transformation initiatives and regional projects.
Support the implementation of new systems, finance processes, and policy changes.
Drive process improvements to increase efficiency, strengthen controls, and reduce operational risk.
Identify opportunities to simplify and standardize finance processes.
Build strong working relationships with Finance teams across APAC and the UK.
Collaborate with HR, Legal, Procurement, IT, and other business functions.
Provide guidance and support to internal stakeholders on finance-related matters.
Work effectively with external advisers, banks, auditors, and government authorities.
Act as an operational leader within the FT Japan Finance team, fostering collaboration and accountability.
Coordinate finance activities across multiple stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of key objectives.
Drive timely resolution of operational issues through effective collaboration.
Support finance projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
Promote best practices, share knowledge, and contribute to the development of an effective Finance team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
Minimum of five years' experience in accounting, financial reporting or financial control.
Experience in a multinational organisation is preferred.
Experience managing statutory reporting, external audits and tax compliance.
Experience working with shared service centres or outsourced accounting functions is preferred.
Experience using Oracle or other ERP systems.
Proven experience in driving process improvements and strengthening financial controls.
Strong knowledge of accounting principles and journal entry preparation and review.
Strong reconciliation and financial analysis skills.
Knowledge of IFRS.
Good understanding of Japanese statutory accounting and tax requirements.
Experience with Oracle or other financial reporting systems.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Strong organisational and project management skills.
Ability to prioritise multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Proactive mindset with a continuous improvement approach.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with international teams.
This role will be offered initially on a 1-year fixed term contract, with the intention from there to convert to a permanent role.

Skills

Accounting principles
Journal entry preparation and review
Reconciliation
Financial analysis
IFRS
Japanese statutory accounting
Japanese tax requirements
Oracle or other financial reporting systems
Microsoft Excel
Process automation
Process standardization
Stakeholder management
Project management

Location

Japan

Work Type

Hybrid
1-year fixed term contract

Experience Level

Minimum of five years' experience in accounting, financial reporting or financial control.

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
CPA or equivalent professional qualification is preferred.

Benefits

Generous annual leave
Medical cover
Inclusive parental leave packages
Subsidised gym memberships
Opportunities to give back to the community

About the Company

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.
At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded.
In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.
Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you.
Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Equal Opportunity

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued.
A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential.
We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.
We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.