APAC Financial Controller - Sydney, Australia

 Title:                  APAC Financial Controller

Reporting to:   Director, EMEA & APAC Finance

Background

Guidewire's Finance and Accounting team is very influential and advises our leadership team on a broad set of topics.  The Finance team's structure mirrors the business with all the typical functions of a larger corporation (Revenue Assurance, Financial Planning & Analysis, SEC Reporting, Treasury, Strategy, Accounts Payable etc.), so there is a tremendous opportunity for growth. Many of our team leads started as individual contributors and have gone on to be promoted or specialise in new areas of accounting.

Primary Function

The APAC Accounting function encompasses all aspects of Finance including Reporting to Group, Statutory Financial Accounting, Accounts Payable and Payroll. Current Countries in which we have an established entity or branch include Australia, China, New Zealand, Japan and India with active plans to expand further in the region.  Recognising the strategic importance of this function, Guidewire has recently invested in a new Oracle Fusion ERP system to enhance other technologies including Coupa, Concur and Financial Force, This is all designed to improve efficiencies and enable the APAC Accounting team to continue to deliver best-in-class results. 

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities

The role of the Financial Controller is to manage all the accounting requirements within the APAC region and to provide flexible support to HQ as required. There is close alignment with the EMEA Finance function, recognising the common challenges faced when working within a regional team. This means acting as an invaluable Manager that keeps our business moving forward by owning and managing a competent team for all daily, month end, annual and ad hoc processes, whilst also improving systems and processes.

More specifically our Financial Controller will:

• Manage and own all aspects of the APAC finance function.
• Manage the finance team: Direct report - Finance Manager; Team members - Operations Accountant, Accountant (Japan) & AP Admin (p/t).
• Report to Group under strict monthly reporting deadlines.
• Ensure financial & statutory compliance is maintained in APAC eg global & local audits and filings.
• Work collaboratively with all departments, in establishing new entities and reviewing existing practices.
• Build a strong working relationship with Guidewire’s HQ finance teams to ensure that global initiatives and best practice are rolled out successfully to APAC subsidiaries, including the implementation and abiding by SOX controls.
• Be confident in communicating with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Close collaboration with EMEA team to ensure International wide knowledge sharing
• Carry out SOX reconciliation of quarterly RSU (Restricted Stock Unit) payroll transactions to a detailed and tight timescale.
• Be committed to high standards of compliance, deadlines and results.
• Be a motivated self-starter, prepared to take ownership and responsibility for their role.

Have experience of working in a group with multiple entities, currencies, locations and languages.

• Be willing and able to work in a rapidly changing and growing environment.
• Possess the ability to use initiative to design, implement & improve processes.
• Be open to a flexible working approach to ensure maximum efficiency and collaboration across time zones

The successful applicant will:

• Be a qualified accountant with established and proven Controllership experience.
• Possess skills that allow effective communication with Senior Leaders within the business.
• Have proven financial accounting experience, including having played a central role in financial reporting within an international organisation.
• Have proven resilience, being able to prioritise and manage time to meet tight deadlines.
• Have experience of accounting and reporting under US GAAP.
• Be fluent in written & spoken English, additional language skills would be an advantage.
• Have experience of multiple ERP systems, Oracle Fusion would be a distinct advantage.
• Maintain significant attention to detail.
• Be IT literate with proven strong Excel skills.
• Be meticulously detailed and accurate, with demonstrable problem solving skills.
• Possess strong integrity, communication and relationship skills.
• Have previous experience of Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) compliant processes and controls.
• Be a motivated, self-starting team player and leader.
• Be willing to travel Internationally on occassion