Regional Head of Finance – SEA & Oceania

To effectively lead and develop the regional Finance teams, ensuring robust controls and compliance of all financial matters throughout the region.

To provide, as a senior business partner, appropriate financial advice and analysis to respective regional and local managers.

To guide, support and hold regional teams accountable to meet their responsibilities in complying with Group policies and procedures, including local regulatory requirements.

To foster an innovative environment that leads to a positive continuous improvement culture, drive process efficiency projects and implement changes in the region, collaborating with other Regional Heads of Finance and HKG as necessary.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Management

• Responsibility for finance related operations for the South East Asia and Southwest Pacific regions (and all countries within)

• Coordinate the set-up and development of the new finance structure for the region, ensuring reporting lines are optimised and best practices are put in place

• Provide direction, guidance and support to the local Finance teams to ensure timely and accurate completion of tasks as necessary

• Ensure steps are taken to remain fully up to date on legislation, taxation and compliance matters and, where necessary, intervene to make decisions and help resolve regulatory or compliance issues in individual ports and countries

• Update regional management and Head Office on new local requirements which may give rise to changes in risk exposure and/or changes in working procedures

• Actively participate in discussions with local authorities and/or external working groups where needed

• Work effectively with Head Office to implement Head Office Finance initiatives and deliver on central Finance strategies and guidance

• Proactively work to identify efficiencies and more effective ways of working and actively work with Head Office and the Finance teams and other departments to implement and standardise continuous improvements

• Ensure continuity of Finance operations during periods of absence or disruption

• Manage relationships with local business partners, such as banks, external auditors and tax advisors

• Liaise with Head Office Group Legal Team and external legal advisors for local legal matters as and when required

• Partner with the Regional General Manager and other regional department heads to complete the Control Self-Assessment for risk management

• Any other reasonable task as required

Finance Transformation & Change Management

• Spearhead finance transformation initiatives that align with corporate strategy, facilitating improvements in processes and systems.

• Employ change management strategies to support teams through transitions, ensuring successful adoption of new systems and practices.

• Partner with regional and local finance teams to deliver effective training and communication regarding finance transformation projects.

• Responsible for leading and overseeing the implementation and adoption of the new SEA Finance structure with finance business partnering and in-country roles and responsibilities.

• Work with Finance Team Members to serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders in regards to process adoption and functional queries

• Ensures that Finance is closely integrated with, and positively supports the business providing managers at all levels with the necessary information to make good business decisions

Compliance – Legal, Taxation, Regulatory Reporting

• Ensure all corporate activities comply with local, regional, and international legal requirements.

• Oversee company registrations, corporate secretarial matters, and renewals.

• Liaise with Head Office Legal team to support legal review process for contracts, agreements, and corporate documentation.

• Liaise with external legal advisors and government bodies as necessary.

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations

• Monitor and update regional management and Head Office on new local requirements which may give rise to changes in risk exposure and/or changes in working procedures

• Oversee the regional audit and business registration process

• Ensure accurate and timely filing and returns to government, airport and taxation authorities

Control and Risk Assessment

• Ensure adherence to company policy and work closely with Head Office to manage any deviations

• Take responsibility for proper authorisation of contracts and expenditure

• Partner with the Regional General Manager and regional department managers to ensure completion of the Control Self-Assessment for risk management

• Perform a regular audit (at least annually) of finance processes to identify any breaches of, or risks to, company policy and work with management to implement robust controls

Management and Financial Reporting

• Ensure timely and accurate recording of revenues, expenses and balance sheet items in the general ledger

• Ensure compilation of month/annual accounting schedules, bank reconciliations and account reconciliations

• Partner with management to prepare budgetary and ad hoc financial analysis

• Ensure preparation of cash flow forecast summarising cash movements within the region and remit any excess funds to Head Office regularly

Cost Control

• Partner with department heads to prepare the annual overhead and route cost budgets

• Partner with department heads to prepare forecasts throughout the year

• Support the Finance Team to critically review actual spend compared to budget and work with stakeholders to identify and implement cost saving opportunities

• Ensure that preparation of monthly analysis and explaining significant overhead cost variances

• Implement cost savings wherever appropriate

• Participate in or lead regional contract negotiations to help secure favourable financial terms and to manage third party contracts with local and Head Office line departments

Insurance Management

• Manage the procurement and renewal of insurance policies, ensuring adequate coverage and compliance with contractual obligations.

• Liaise with insurers and legal advisors to resolve claims and disputes, ensuring the company's interests are protected.

Credit Control

• Establish, maintain and comply with a credit policy for appointing new agents and liaise with the sales teams to evaluate potential new agents in line with policy

• Ensure that the necessary security from agents is obtained and maintained

• Perform an annual credit review of all non-IATA agents and General Service Agents and ensure that a monthly debtors meeting with cargo and sales teams is held

• Ensure that the Finance Team stay informed of the financial status of agents and take action to minimise exposure and losses

• Review any write-offs proposed by the cargo and sales teams to ensure appropriate justification and ensure write-offs are authorised by the applicable signing authority

• Review any default payments and ensure collection is pursued through BSP, bank guarantees, collection agencies, legal avenues etc.

• Actively participate in or lead local external working groups that oversee the setting of the BSP and CASS credit control parameters and implement processes accordingly

Banking and Treasury

• Oversee the cash management process, including petty cash, fund transfers to Head Office and the minimisation of idle cash

• Ensure that the authorised signatory list for local bank accounts is managed

• Open and close bank accounts as necessary for operational purposes ensuring appropriate bank account reconciliations are performed

• Develop and maintain external banking relationships including online banking security access for local bank accounts

• Ensure renewal and application of all required licences with local authorities

• Manage the Company Credit Card programme

Business Advisory

• Help to prepare Expenditure Control Committee submissions as required

• Partner with line departments and the Regional General Manager on business analysis

• Ensure proper corporate governance and monitoring of major business projects

• Participate in or lead industrial work groups to discuss and resolve financial/accounting related matters

• Act as a sounding board on general business issues

Payroll

• Liaise with the People Department and port management to establish robust controls and approval processes for payroll

• Partner with the People Department to ensure that salaries and employee benefits are paid in accordance with local regulations and company policy

• Review payroll calculations to ensure they are consistent with and reconcile with current employment records

Policy Development and Training:

• Draft, update, and maintain compliance-related policies, procedures, and manuals.

• Deliver compliance training programs to employees at all levels to foster a compliance-oriented culture.

• Promote awareness of compliance obligations through regular communications and workshops.

People Development and Performance Management

• Lead, support and encourage own team to achieve success

• Build a strong and motivated team, ensuring the right organisational structure and the right people are in place to foster positive team spirit and effective teamwork

• Supervise and mentor direct reports, encouraging effective collaboration

• Demonstrate leadership and lead by example in accordance with Cathay’s core values

• Develop employees with high potential and identify learning opportunities to ensure appropriate training and development

• Maintain active and ongoing dialogue in relation to employee goals and individual performance

• Actively engage with employees to enhance communication and their understanding of department goals

• Enhance the employee experience in line with the role level and the internal brand promise

E&A

• Emergency and Accident and Crisis Response responsibilities as required

Academic Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting or related discipline with advanced accounting knowledge

• Post-graduate accounting qualification in Accounting (e.g. Chartered Accountant, Certified Practicing Accountant, Chartered Management Accountant, etc.) or a closely related discipline

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

• A minimum of ten years’ Finance/Accounting experience is essential

• Experience in the airline industry is an advantage

• Experience in SAP is an advantage

• A minimum of ten years’ experience in leading a high performance team, preferably across multiple locations

• Sound understanding of business practices in the region (prior experience working within the region is considered an advantage)

• Advanced understanding of the principles of operational accounting, particularly indirect and payroll taxation alongside the ability to apply these to meet local country regulations within the region

• Admirable interpersonal skills and can interact with all levels within the organisation

• Creative and innovative with experience in improving current work practices and implementing new ideas

• Strong planning, problem-solving and organisational skills and is able to prioritise and manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously across multiple locations

• Strong written, oral communication, negotiation and presentation skills

• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and diplomacy

• Leads, adapts to and embraces constant change