Assistant Finance Manager

About us The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide. At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world. In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing. Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere. Build a newsworthy career at the FT. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups. Job Purpose The Assistant Finance Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day finance operations of FT Japan while supporting assigned finance activities across other Asia entities. The role ensures the delivery of accurate financial reporting, strong financial controls, and full compliance with local statutory requirements and FT Group policies. Working closely with regional Accounting Services and Finance teams across APAC and the UK, the Assistant Finance Manager serves as a key finance business partner, driving continuous process improvement, promoting strong governance, and supporting efficient finance operations across the assigned areas of responsibility. Main Duties and Responsibilities Financial Reporting & Control Lead the month-end, quarter-end and year-end close processes to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting. Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations and investigate outstanding items to ensure completeness and accuracy. Review financial results, perform variance analysis, and explain key movements. Monitor cash flow requirements to support day-to-day business operations. Ensure compliance with FT Group accounting policies and IFRS. Statutory & Tax Compliance Coordinate statutory reporting requirements and annual external audits. Liaise with external auditors, tax advisers and regulatory authorities. Prepare and review corporate tax, consumption tax and other statutory filings. Monitor changes in Japanese accounting and tax regulations and assess their impact on the business. Ensure timely completion of all statutory and compliance obligations. Compliance & Internal Control Maintain effective financial controls and ensure compliance with FT policies and global standards. Support internal and external audit activities and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations. Maintain finance procedures, process documentation and control frameworks. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through process automation and standardisation. Accounting Services Collaboration Act as the primary Finance contact for the regional Accounting Services team. Partner with Accounting Services to ensure the accurate and timely completion of month-end accounting activities. Collaborate with Accounting Services to investigate and resolve accounting issues promptly. Contribute to regular operational meetings with Accounting Services by identifying and resolving operational issues, agreeing action plans, and monitoring progress. Work with regional Finance teams to identify opportunities for process improvements and enhance service delivery. Treasury & Banking Manage banking administration, payment processing, and cash management activities. Ensure timely and accurate execution of supplier, employee, tax, and statutory payments. Maintain appropriate banking controls and payment authorisation procedures. Projects & Continuous Improvement Lead or participate in finance transformation initiatives and regional projects. Support the implementation of new systems, finance processes and policy changes. Drive process improvements to increase efficiency, strengthen controls and reduce operational risk. Identify opportunities to simplify and standardise finance processes across the assigned areas of responsibility. Stakeholder Management Build strong working relationships with Finance teams across APAC and the UK. Collaborate with HR, Legal, Procurement, IT and other business functions. Provide guidance and support to internal stakeholders on finance-related matters. Work effectively with external advisers, banks, auditors and government authorities. Operational Leadership Act as an operational leader within the FT Japan Finance team, fostering collaboration and accountability in day-to-day operations. Coordinate finance activities across multiple stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of key objectives. Drive the timely resolution of operational issues through effective collaboration with Accounting Services and business teams. Support finance projects and continuous improvement initiatives. Promote best practices, share knowledge, and contribute to the development of an effective and high-performing Finance team. Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or a related discipline. CPA or equivalent professional qualification is preferred. Experience Minimum of five years' experience in accounting, financial reporting or financial control. Experience in a multinational organisation is preferred. Experience managing statutory reporting, external audits and tax compliance. Experience working with shared service centres or outsourced accounting functions is preferred. Experience using Oracle or other ERP systems. Proven experience in driving process improvements and strengthening financial controls. Technical Skills Strong knowledge of accounting principles and journal entry preparation and review. Strong reconciliation and financial analysis skills. Knowledge of IFRS. Good understanding of Japanese statutory accounting and tax requirements. Experience with Oracle or other financial reporting systems. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Language Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English, with the ability to communicate effectively with local and international stakeholders. Soft Skills Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Strong organisational and project management skills. Ability to prioritise multiple tasks and meet deadlines. Proactive mindset with a continuous improvement approach. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with international teams. This role will be offered initially on a 1-year fixed term contract, with the intention from there to convert to a permanent role. What’s in it for you? Our benefits Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here. We currently operate a hybrid model which requires staff to work onsite 50% of the time, subject to role requirements & regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for all roles. We believe this balanced approach supports flexibility and protects our culture, making collaboration and communication easier, building stronger relationships and team cohesion, and supporting peer learning. We reserve discretion on reasonable notice to change this approach either generally or for specific individuals or teams. Accessibility We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help. Further information At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications. Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all. Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com. Interested in the FT but don’t see the right role yet? Join our Talent Community to receive exclusive updates, featured jobs, and insights into working at the FT. #LI-NE1