Are you an experienced Financial Controller with strong expertise in financial accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls, looking to advance your career in a global consulting environment?
Join ERM, a leading international sustainability consulting firm, and take ownership of key accounting and financial control activities supporting its operations in Japan.
As a Financial Controller, you will report to an overseas-based finance leader and collaborate closely with regional finance teams and senior business stakeholders. You will oversee monthly and annual financial closing, financial reporting, balance sheet reconciliations, audit coordination, tax compliance, and financial control processes.
This position offers an excellent opportunity to combine hands-on accounting expertise with regional financial management responsibilities, while contributing to a company focused on environmental sustainability and long-term business resilience.
Based in Tokyo or Yokohama, you will operate in a bilingual Japanese-English environment and gain exposure to international finance operations, cross-border reporting, and strategic business support.
The role is particularly suited to an experienced finance professional who enjoys improving accounting processes, strengthening internal controls, and partnering with senior stakeholders across a multinational organization.
Key Responsibilities
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Financial Closing & Reporting: Manage monthly and annual financial closing processes, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting.
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Financial Accounting & Record Management: Maintain accurate accounting records, financial documentation, and supporting schedules in accordance with company policies and applicable accounting requirements.
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Financial Control & Reconciliations: Oversee balance sheet reconciliations, monitor accounting controls, and ensure the integrity and reliability of financial information.
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Audit Coordination: Coordinate internal and external audit activities, prepare supporting documentation, and respond to audit inquiries in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
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Tax Compliance: Support local tax compliance activities, coordinate required documentation, and work with internal or external tax specialists as needed.
- Treasury Operations: Oversee or coordinate local treasury-related activities to support effective financial management and operational requirements.
- Budgeting & Financial Analysis: Support budgeting processes and provide financial analysis to help management evaluate performance and make informed business decisions.
- Regional Finance Collaboration: Work closely with overseas finance leadership and regional finance teams to ensure consistent financial reporting, accounting practices, and compliance standards.
- Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows, financial systems, reporting efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
- Internal Control Enhancement: Strengthen financial governance by reviewing existing controls, identifying risks, and implementing practical improvements.
- Stakeholder Management: Communicate financial results, accounting matters, and operational issues clearly to senior management and international stakeholders.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Experience:
- Extensive hands-on experience in financial accounting, financial control, or corporate finance, ideally within a multinational or internationally connected organization.
- Strong practical experience managing monthly and annual financial closing and reporting processes.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial controls, balance sheet reconciliations, and maintaining accurate accounting records.
- Experience coordinating internal or external audits, including preparing financial schedules and responding to audit requests.
- Understanding of local accounting compliance, tax-related processes, and financial governance requirements.
- Ability to support budgeting and financial analysis for management reporting and business decision-making.
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or an equivalent qualification.
Soft Skills:
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex financial matters clearly to senior business leaders.
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on accuracy and financial integrity.
- High attention to detail and a disciplined approach to accounting controls, compliance, and reporting deadlines.
- Ability to work independently, take ownership of financial processes, and manage competing priorities.
- Collaborative mindset and confidence working with international finance colleagues and cross-functional business teams.
- Proactive approach to identifying inefficiencies and improving accounting processes and internal controls.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to operate effectively in a complex business environment.
Language Requirements:
- Japanese: Fluent level - required for local accounting operations, audit coordination, compliance matters, and communication with Japanese stakeholders.
- English: Fluent level - essential for reporting to overseas finance leadership, collaborating with regional finance teams, and communicating financial information across international stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in both Japanese and English are required.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
- 10+ years of professional experience in accounting, financial control, or related finance functions.
- Previous experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager, Accounting Manager, or Senior Finance Professional.
- Experience working in a complex multinational organization with multiple reporting lines and regional stakeholders.
- Background in professional services, consulting, or other international business environments.
- Experience collaborating directly with overseas finance leadership or regional finance teams.
- Exposure to financial process improvement, accounting system enhancements, or internal control optimization.
- Experience supporting budgeting, management reporting, and business performance analysis.
- Ability to navigate matrix reporting structures and coordinate financial matters across multiple countries or business functions.
About the Company
ERM is a global sustainability consulting firm that helps organizations address environmental challenges, manage business risks, and build long-term resilience.
The company works with businesses to support sustainable growth by providing expertise in environmental management, risk assessment, and sustainability-related business challenges.
Operating in an international professional services environment, ERM brings together specialists across different disciplines and regions to help clients respond to evolving environmental and business requirements.
For finance professionals, the organization offers the opportunity to support a globally connected consulting business while contributing to a company whose work focuses on sustainability, environmental responsibility, and long-term business performance.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- Competitive Compensation: Annual salary of ¥8M-¥11M, reflecting the responsibilities of an experienced financial control professional.
- International Finance Exposure: Report directly to an overseas-based finance leader and collaborate with regional finance teams.
- Global Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with senior stakeholders across multiple markets in an established international business environment.
- Bilingual Professional Environment: Use your fluent Japanese and English skills in financial reporting, business discussions, and cross-border collaboration.
- Career Development in Financial Control: Strengthen your expertise in financial accounting, closing, reporting, audit coordination, and internal controls.
- Business Partnership Opportunities: Support budgeting, financial analysis, and business decisions while working with senior management.
- Process Improvement & Ownership: Contribute to more effective accounting systems, financial processes, and internal control frameworks.
- Purpose-Driven Organization: Build your finance career at a global consulting firm focused on environmental sustainability and responsible business practices.
- Flexible Workplace Culture: Workplace arrangements may include remote work, work-from-home options, flexible hours, casual dress, and permitted side business activities, subject to company policies.
Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!
