POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Financial Controller, North Asia Date:

Department: Finance Position code:

Sub department: Position level:
Location: Shanghai Geographic scope: North Asia
Reports to: Finance Director, Asia
Direct Reports: Country Finance Managers & Regional Finance Executive
Size of role: (key metrics such as budget, volume, staff etc.) 3 Direct reports
Critical relationships: Finance Director, GM Sales & Client Service North Asia, GM Operations Asia, Head of
Social & Insights, Finance Managers & Head of Departments
Overall job purpose: The Financial Controller is responsible to oversee North Asia finances, know and
understands what will make the company profitable and productive; prepare reports on a
regular basis that include monthly financial statements, cost reports, budgeting, and
forecasting reports; oversee staff performance and lead and develop the team so they
can be effective in their analysis and in their accounting duties; ensure the books are
accurate and that everything is accounted for in the company

KEY RESULT AREAS

1 Budget & Financial Planning Good performance defined Weighting
 Coordinate annual budget in-line to group directions.  Submit budget package with 30%
 Monitor budget adjustments and provide a focal point for assumptions to Group Finance as
advice to Countries on budget matters. per deadline.
 Monitor budget performance to investigate and report on  Monthly sub-region OPEX is within
adverse or unusual outcomes / trends. Budget and also in tandem with
 Monthly review and monitor the budget performance with revenue growth.
all relevant managers in the sub-region.  Close budget and forecast gap for
EBITDA with < 5% variance
 Monitor monthly rolling forecast to reflect the realistic
performance vs. budget and propose actions if  Monthly positive net cash flow
needed.(e.g. DST, Cash Flow)

2 Financial & Management reporting Good performance defined Weighting

 Review and monitor all monthly / quarterly financial and  Submit sub-region management 25%
management and annual reports. report (P&L) on +2 to group
 Enhance operational and financial performance reporting finance with minimum query.
within the organisation including profitability analysis of key  All countries in sub-region submit
business elements and comply with statutory reporting
 All the reports adhere to Accounting Standard, rules & & local filings within time frame
regulations, policy & procedures and without penalty.
 Highlight financial risk & opportunity from reporting and  Obtain unqualified audit opinion for
propose solution all countries within sub-region.
 Communicate & resolve 2 financial
risk and opportunity cases with
SEA GM & group finance.

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3 Risk Management Good performance defined Weighting
 Improve AR management  Achieve DSO as per target 20%
 Minimise forex exposure  No realized gain/loss on foreign
 Minimise tax exposure exchange
 Ensure healthy legal entity  Tax payment less than prior year
 Positive net assets and higher
than prior year

4 People Management Good performance defined Weighting

 Provide leadership and direction to the North Asia Finance  Finance team are capable and 15%
team. deliver expected results to the
 Improve communication skills and capability of North Asia business
Finance Managers.  Company stakeholders value
Finance input and analysis
 Ensure North Asia Finance work with other departments to
deliver timely and informative reports.

5 Ensures compliance with Isentia values, policies and Good performance defined Weighting
standards, and ensures compliance will all statutory
requirements.
 Complies with all local legislative requirements.  Understands and complies with 10%
 Adheres to company policies and procedures and the all company and legislative
corporate Code of Conduct. requirements.
 Can be relied upon to act
 Where appropriate keeps up to date with legislative respectfully and ethically.
requirements through membership of industry
organisations.
 Ensures personal adherence to workplace health and
safety requirements and either addresses or brings to
management’s attention when others are in breach of these
requirements.
 Acts in an ethical way with company assets and others.

CAPABILITIES

Capability description Good performance defined Weighting

Lives the Isentia values:
Client obsessed:
passionate about the client’s
experience
One Team:
good, collaborative people treating
each other well
Enterprising:
smart people doing things better
Relationship Building/Teamwork
Establishes rapport easily.
Develops long term relationships
based on mutual trust &
confidence. Builds & maintains
effective working relationships with
peers, team members & others.
Works in a collaborative way with
others.
Is seen to:
 Keep their word, demonstrate a solutions focus, think about the 30%
client first, understand their client’s needs and strive to add value to
their clients.
 Act with integrity, value regional diversity, respect and value others,
be accountable to others and to celebrate success.
 Be curious, to challenge their own and other’s thinking, be
resourceful, where applicable to lead and grow the industry, region
and/or staff, and to keep informed.
 Maintains an extensive network of technical/professional
contacts/staff 20%
 Demonstrates respect towards all team members
 Supports team values & decisions & models expected behaviours
 Is open minded, listens to others points of view
 Actively participates in the development of team values, goals
&performance standards

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Initiative
Proactively asserts influence over
events to achieve goals.
Demonstrates a readiness to
generate ideas & solutions. Is self-
starting & takes action to achieve
goals beyond what is required.
Communication
Expresses ideas & information in
an accurate, relevant and timely
manner utilising a two-way
communication approach.
Demonstrates the ability to interpret
and convey information for their
particular audience. This includes
responding to audience feedback &
adapting their approach. Keeps
people informed.
Operating Environment
Awareness
Understands how the business
works. Is knowledgeable about
current policies, practices, trends &
information affecting the
organisation. Is aware of competitor
activities & approach.
 Takes action to achieve goals beyond what is required
 Identifies what needs to be done & takes action 20%
 Seeks out others involved in a situation to learn from their
perspectives
 Collects extra information that might be useful for reports or
meetings.
 Generates ideas for projects/activities
 Clearly express ideas & information
 Adjusts all aspects of the communication package i.e. language, 20%
context, tone of voice etc to suit the requirements/ needs of the
audience
 Tailors all types of communication to effectively reach an audience
 Employs active listening
 Responds to questions & requests for information in a timely
fashion
 Actively seeks feedback & ensures all communication is 2 way
 Facilitates free-flowing communication (internal/external)
 Keeps team & others informed of issues affecting them
 Understands relationships, issues & culture, both within & external to
Isentia & uses this understanding to anticipate impacts or outcomes, 10%
frame communication, develop strategy, positions, networks,
partnerships & alliances to achieve goals &/or "win-win" outcomes
 Seeks to change culture & methods of operating, if
counterproductive to success
 Maintains a broad network of people within the industry & related
areas
 Understands competitor activity, development & strategy
 Acquires as much information as possible on issues that could
impact the business
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 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education: Degree qualified in Accounting, Finance or similar

Technical Skills:
 Ability to formulate complex financial analysis
 Knowledge of accounting standards and reporting principles and requirements
 Previous experience in using Finance software packages

Industry experience:
 Multiple years experience in senior finance roles within MNC’s
 Media, PR, Advertising, Research agency experience would be valuable

Management skills:
 Strong experience in leading and developing a regional Finance team
 Ability to develop and maintain relationships with various internal and external stakeholders

Personal qualities:
 Proactive
 Continuous improvement mindset
 Team player

Language skills: Written and verbal Chinese and English proficiency

Communication skills:
 Ability to convey complex financial concepts to management or key stakeholders
 Strong coaching skills and ability to provide effective feedback