Financial Accountant

JOB DETAILS

Role: Financial Accountant / Senior Financial Accountant

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Singapore

WE ARE BBC STUDIOS

A globally renowned media company borne of the BBC. We make and distribute the world’s most sought-after TV, audio and digital content.

Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful, entertaining, and inspiring stories for people all around the world.

Purpose of the role

Reporting to the Finance Manager, Asia, managing the Actuals & Reporting (A&R) finance function, this role will be responsible for supporting the delivering day-to-day financial accounting, financial control, statutory reporting and governance activities for BBC Studios' Asia operations. You will support the monthly and year-end close, prepare balance sheet reconciliations and assist with statutory accounts, audit and regulatory requirements. This role will support the implementation of ICFR policies and processes locally and provide timely technical accounting advice and escalation to the Finance Manager, Asia.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Accountabilities

• Support the Asia financial close and reporting process, working closely with the Finance Manager, Asia and the wider Finance team to deliver:
  • Accurate and timely month-end and year-end accounts;
  • Reporting inputs for APAC consolidated group accounts;
  • Prepare variance analysis and commentary on Asia results for review by the Finance Manager, Asia.;
  • Annual statutory financial statements for all required Asia entities, including supporting disclosures; and
  • Ad hoc analysis and support for Asia and global finance activities and projects.
• Prepare and maintain balance sheet reconciliations and account substantiation, ensuring reconciling items are investigated, resolved and escalated where required, open items are cleared on a timely basis, and control processes and review disciplines support the financial integrity of the account balances across multiple entities.
• Coordinate with the outsourced provider team supporting Asia Finance to ensure activities are completed accurately within agreed timelines and assist with issue resolutions where required.
• Support the day-to-day accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable and debt collection activities within Asia, drawing on support from the Group financial operations and Credit Control teams, and liaising with business stakeholders and external parties as required.
• Support the A&R function to perform activities required to fulfil local statutory obligations for tax and audit filings across Asia, inclusive of:
  • Asia Annual Income tax and GST returns and withholding tax returns, together with tax accounting entries
  • Work with A&R team and external auditors to deliver on the annual audit process in Asia
• Collaborate with regional and global finance teams to support consistent reporting, resolve technical issues and ensure alignment with group policies and requirements.
• Support the operation of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) by performing assigned control activities, maintaining documentation and highlighting control issues to the Finance Manager, Asia.
• Support the documentation of accounting treatments and technical accounting matters, escalating complex issues to the Finance Manager, Asia.

Business Partnering

• Provide accounting and reporting support to business stakeholders on actual results, financial controls and statutory matters.
• Support finance reviews of contracts, business initiatives and operational activities by providing accounting information and highlighting potential accounting, tax and control considerations.

Reporting Transformation & Automation

• Support the development and maintenance of standardised reporting templates and reporting process across the Asia A&R team through standardisation, automation and simplification.
• Participate in finance transformation initiatives and support the adoption of reporting tools, automation solutions and approved AI technologies, self-service reporting and automated dashboards, to minimise processing work and strengthen the Asia A&R team's ability to provide value-added finance support.

Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Document accounting and reporting processes and maintain up-to-date procedure documentation.
• Support compliance with Global Finance policies, accounting guidelines, procedures and financial controls and collaborate with members of the wider finance community to promote best practice and deliver continuous improvement, with an aim to maximise the impact of finance.

IMPACT & RELATIONSHIPS

Scope & Impact

• Supports the delivery of accurate financial accounting, statutory compliance and reporting activities of BBC Studios' multi-entity and multi-division Asia operations, subject to oversight with the Finance Manager, Asia.
• Supports the Asia A&R accounting team and coordinates outsourced service providers.
• Supports the Asia audit engagement through the preparation of audit schedules, supporting documentation and timely responses to audit requests.
• Operates across Asia, APAC and global teams, escalating accounting, reporting and compliance matters to the Finance Manager, Asia where appropriate or the relevant regional specialist.

Key Relationships

• APAC Finance Director
• Head of Financial Reporting and Controls, APAC
• Finance Manager, Asia
• Asia Business leadership, including any directors and officers of the Asia entities
• APAC Finance Team, including the Actuals and Reporting (A&R) and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) teams across APAC time zones.
• Corporate Finance, Group Finance, Treasury, International Tax, BLA, Internal Audit and other global stakeholders. Most global stakeholders are UK based so you will be required to manage different time zones.
• Outsourced Record-to-Report (R2R) TCS team.
• Finance Operations and systems teams
• External advisors, auditors and relevant regulatory stakeholders

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

• Strong Excel skills and the ability to work effectively with a broad range of reporting, reconciliation, and workflow tools – experience using AI in reporting processes is a plus.
• Exposure to large ERP platforms (SAP preferred) and the ability to understand, interpret and communicate complex financial data to a range of audiences.
• Good understanding of financial accounting principles, financial controls and IFRS.
• Working knowledge of statutory reporting, taxation and regulatory requirements across Asia markets.
• Strong operational understanding of accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll processes and associated controls.
• Highly developed analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills, supported by strong attention to detail and a disciplined approach to delivery.
• Proactive, self-motivated and comfortable operating with appropriate autonomy.
• The ability to manage competing priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes.
• A continuous improvement mindset and a genuine interest in making work more efficient.

Education

• Degree qualified in Finance, Business, Accounting or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification required, CPA/CA preferred.

Professional Experience

• At least 4-5 years' relevant financial accounting experience.
• Experience preparing month-end journals, balance sheet reconciliations, management reporting schedules and supporting statutory reporting requirements.
• Experience supporting audit processes and working with external advisers, regulators or group stakeholders on technical accounting and compliance matters.
• Experience operating within a complex, matrixed or international organisation, ideally with exposure to multi-entity and cross-border environments.

This job description is not exhaustive and may change from time to time in line with the evolving nature of a dynamic and growing business.