Accountant (6- months maternity cover)

Job Summary: The Accountant (Singapore) is responsible for managing the day-to-day accounting operations and ensuring accurate financial reporting for the company’s Singapore entity. This mid-level role maintains the general ledger, prepares financial statements in compliance with Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS), and handles tax compliance (e.g. GST and corporate tax filings) and audit support. The Accountant plays a critical role in ensuring that all financial transactions are recorded properly and that the company meets all local regulatory and reporting requirements. Working closely with the Head of Finance, this role also assists in budgeting, financial analysis, and the continuous improvement of financial processes within the chemical company’s Singapore operations. Key Responsibilities: • Maintain the full set of accounts for the Singapore operations. This includes managing the general ledger by recording all journal entries and transactions (revenues, expenses, accruals, provisions) accurately and on a timely basis. • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) and management reports in accordance with Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS) and corporate accounting policies. Ensure that financial reports are delivered on time and reflect true and fair views of the company’s performance. • Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable functions: verify and post vendor invoices, process payment runs, issue customer invoices, and monitor collections. Ensure AP/AR ledgers are reconciled, and overdue receivables are followed up promptly. • Perform regular account reconciliations, including bank reconciliations, intercompany reconciliations, and balance sheet schedules (e.g. for inventory, fixed assets, prepayments, accruals). Investigate and resolve any discrepancies or unusual items in a timely manner to maintain accuracy of the accounts. • Ensure compliance with Singapore tax regulations and timely submission of tax filings. This includes preparing quarterly GST returns and annual corporate income tax computations, and coordinating payment of taxes. A GST-registered business must file GST returns on time and keep proper records, and this role ensures those obligations are met. • Support the annual financial audit and any internal audits. Prepare required audit schedules, liaise with external auditors to provide documentation and explanations, and implement any audit recommendations. Also, assist in ensuring the company’s financial practices comply with audit standards and internal control requirements. • Assist in the preparation of budgets and financial forecasts. Provide support in collecting and analyzing financial data (such as spending trends or variances) to aid the Head of Finance in budgeting and performance analysis. • Monitor and enforce internal controls and financial policies. Ensure that all accounting activities adhere to company policies and accounting standards, helping to detect and prevent inaccuracies or fraud. • Contribute to process improvements in the finance function. For example, identify opportunities to streamline transaction processing, enhance use of the accounting software, or improve documentation for the chemical company’s operations. • Provide ad-hoc financial reports and analysis as required by management. This may include cost analysis for chemical raw materials, analysis of foreign exchange impacts, or other decision support data relevant to the business. Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related discipline. A strong academic background provides the necessary foundation in accounting principles and financial management. • Experience: 3–5 years of relevant accounting experience, preferably in a corporate or manufacturing environment. Experience in maintaining a full set of accounts and preparing financial reports is required. • Technical Skills: Proficient knowledge of accounting standards and practices. In particular, a solid understanding of Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS) is required to ensure compliance in financial statements. Familiarity with IFRS is useful since SFRS is closely aligned with international standards. • Experience with Singapore tax matters – including Goods and Services Tax (GST) and corporate income tax. Ability to prepare GST returns and basic tax computations in accordance with IRAS guidelines. (Having completed Singapore tax courses or certification is a plus.) • Skilled in using accounting software and ERP systems to record and extract financial data. Hands-on experience with common accounting software or ERP (such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics) and advanced MS Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.) for financial analysis and reporting. • Strong attention to detail and accuracy. The role demands meticulous record-keeping and an ability to spot and correct errors to maintain the integrity of financial data. • Good understanding of internal controls and financial governance. Should be able to adhere to and enforce internal control procedures around approvals, documentation, and reconciliations. • Certification: While not mandatory, having or pursuing a professional certification such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CA (Chartered Accountant Singapore) is an advantage. This signifies a commitment to high professional standards and continuous learning. Preferred Skills: • Familiarity with the chemical manufacturing industry’s accounting is advantageous. For instance, understanding cost accounting for production, inventory valuation methods, and handling of hazardous stock from a financial perspective would help in this role. • Experience working in a multinational company or exposure to cross-functional teams. This includes comfort in reporting to a regional or global headquarters and collaborating with colleagues from other departments (e.g. supply chain, sales) to gather financial information. • Knowledge of Singapore’s regulatory environment beyond accounting – such as understanding requirements of ACRA for annual filings, and any sector-specific financial regulations affecting chemical companies (e.g. inventory reporting or trade compliance that could impact finances). • Proactive and continuous improvement mindset. The ideal candidate can identify inefficiencies in current processes (for example, automating parts of the bank reconciliation or invoice approval workflow) and suggest enhancements. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Able to clearly explain financial matters to non-finance staff when needed and work as a team with the Account Executive and other colleagues. • Ability to work under deadlines and manage time effectively, especially during peak periods (month-end close, year-end audit, budgeting season). A flexible and resilient approach to accommodate the dynamic nature of a manufacturing business is valued. Reporting Line: Reports to the Head of Finance (Singapore). In the organizational structure, this role is directly supervised by the Head of Finance and may also provide guidance to junior finance staff (such as the Account Executive). The Accountant serves as a key support to the Head of Finance in all finance-related matters for Singapore.