Finance Executive

The Finance Executive is the operational backbone of a Singapore finance function. Sitting between the accounts assistant and the Finance Manager, the role owns the accuracy of the ledger, the discipline of the month-end close, and the reliability of the numbers every downstream decision depends on.

It is one of the most common entry points into a commercial finance career in Singapore, and one of the most consequential: employers use the first two to three years in this seat to decide who is developed towards management and who remains in processing.

Finance Executives are hired across every sector — SMEs, regional shared service centres, listed groups, and fast-scaling technology and consumer businesses — which makes the title itself a poor guide to the work. Scope varies enormously, and reading the scope correctly is the single most valuable thing a candidate can do before applying.

• Maintain the general ledger, including journal entries, accruals, prepayments and intercompany postings.
• Own accounts payable and accounts receivable cycles, including supplier payment runs and collections follow-up.
• Prepare bank, balance sheet and intercompany reconciliations as part of month-end close.
• Support the monthly, quarterly and annual close and produce draft management reporting packs.
• Prepare GST returns and support corporate tax filing schedules with the appointed tax agent.
• Assist with statutory audit — preparing schedules, responding to auditor queries and clearing audit points.
• Maintain the fixed asset register and depreciation schedules.
• Support budgeting and forecasting cycles with actuals, variance data and commentary.
• Identify and implement process improvements in reconciliation, reporting and controls.

Technical

• Strong double-entry fundamentals and confident month-end close execution.
• Working knowledge of SFRS and, in group environments, IFRS reporting requirements.
• Singapore GST treatment and filing mechanics.
• Advanced Excel — lookups, pivot tables, structured reconciliations. Power Query is increasingly expected.
• Hands-on ERP experience: SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics or Xero depending on company size.

Commercial and behavioural

• Accuracy under a fixed close calendar — deadlines are non-negotiable.
• Clear written communication with non-finance stakeholders.
• Ownership: closing a query end-to-end rather than escalating it unresolved.
• Curiosity about why a number moved, not only that it reconciles.

• Diploma or Degree in Accountancy, Finance or a related discipline.
• Part-qualified or qualified ACCA, CA (Singapore), CPA Australia or equivalent for stronger roles.
• One to five years of relevant experience; graduates are considered for junior mandates.
• Audit-trained candidates from Big 4 or mid-tier firms are actively sought for commercial transitions.
• Regional exposure and a second language are advantages in SEA-facing roles.

• Know your close calendar. Be able to walk day one to day five of your month-end, and name the reconciliations you personally own.
• Quantify your scope. Number of entities, transaction volume, ERP, team size, reporting standard. Vague scope reads as junior scope.
• Bring one improvement. A reconciliation you automated or a close day you removed is worth more than a list of duties.
• Prepare a GST and an accruals question. Technical screening is near-universal in Singapore for this role.
• Ask about the reporting line. Reporting into a Finance Manager versus directly into a Financial Controller materially changes your exposure and your progression speed.