Senior Finance Manager/ Financial Controller, SEA

Senior Finance Manager/ Financial Controller, SEA

Location: Singapore

Reporting line: Head of Finance - Asia

The Head of Finance role is primarily responsible for managing and overseeing the finance function of the Singapore office. This includes leading the Singapore finance team and directly supporting all practice groups and business functions within the office, while ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

In addition to these primary responsibilities, the role provides management support to the finance teams in Indonesia and Thailand, acting as a point of guidance and assistance for these offices, partners, and practice groups as required.

Overview of the Role

• This role guides and drives the financial and commercial management of the Singapore office, promoting sound financial and commercial practices, robust internal controls, and business efficiency.
• They oversee all aspects of statutory compliance, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the office’s financial information.
• Success in this role depends on the ability to shape and influence the commercial finance elements of strategy, planning, management, business development, and people development.
• This role manages a team of 5 FTEs, all based in Singapore, with additional support from shared service centres in Warsaw and Singapore.
• The role provides management support to the finance teams in Indonesia and Thailand, acting as a point of guidance and assistance for these offices, partners, and practice groups as required.
• This role involves close collaboration with the regional/ global finance team, other business functions, partners and senior management on all finance-related matters.
• The role also plays a key role in fostering financial discipline and best working practices across the office, providing education and guidance to all colleagues, including partners, fee earners, secretaries, and business teams.

Key responsibilities and challenges

Strategy and planning

• Develop and implement financial strategies that align with Linklaters’ firmwide objectives and long-term vision.
• Assisting partners with business planning, including defining the vision for the office in alignment with the strategy of the firm, global practices, and the office
• Encouraging partners’ engagement in planning and defining the vision for their practice
• Identifying and facilitating the implementation of necessary actions in the plans regarding people, products, clients, and infrastructure, coordinating as needed with relevant Business Team functions
• Preparing and delivering presentations on office/practice group performance and objectives (annual practice review, management meetings)
• Conducting regular meetings with country practice heads to assess the financial performance of their practices
• Working closely with Global Pricing on pricing strategies

Financial management

• Fully accountable for the quality of all finance services delivered in the office.
• Continuously strengthen internal controls and compliance by developing and implementing effective policies and procedures. These initiatives support strong financial discipline, safeguard the firm’s assets, and mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Promote and drive improvements in business efficiency both within the finance function and across the broader practice. Lead the team in establishing and maintaining best practices in every area.
• Oversee financial processes to ensure ongoing compliance with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) rules, CCO rules and local statutory requirements.
• Take responsibility for the full set of accounts for all local Linklaters entities in Singapore, and provide the necessary support to Indonesia and Thailand as required.

Business Performance Management

• Drive financial performance by proactively providing and analysing management information. Identify underlying issues, develop practical solutions, and implement improvements to enhance overall performance.
• Serve as the lead financial advisor to the office’s partners and management. Build partners' financial awareness, promote shared financial responsibility, and inform strategic decision making.
• Constructively challenge partners’ assumptions and decisions to ensure that the office’s strategic priorities are aligned with the most impactful areas.
• Provide relevant financial management information and insightful analysis, including variance and profitability reviews, to stakeholders. Interpret findings clearly and recommend changes where needed to optimise office performance.

People and organisation management

• Influence partners, lawyers, secretaries, and business teams to foster sound financial behaviours across the organisation.
• Review and optimise the structure of the SEA finance team, ensuring it is efficient and adaptable to evolving business needs.
• Manage, motivate, and lead the finance team to achieve the Finance objectives.
• Supervise and develop team members through on-the-job coaching, regular feedback, performance management, and career development discussions. Conduct appraisals and manage recruitment for the team.

Additional Job Description

Character

• Diplomatic with excellent communication and influencing skills
• Customer orientated attitude essential
• Strong leadership
• A team player and committed to provide quality performance
• Ability to deal with details and willing to be hands-on
• Able to work independently with minimum supervision
• High degree of initiative
• Flexible with ability to cope with changing priorities
• Remains calm under pressure
• Culturally sensitive and experienced in dealing with overseas offices

Education and Practical experience

• Degree in Accounting or related major.
• Formal professional qualification: CA, CIMA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent is a must
• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing a sizeable team
• Experience of working directly with senior management in a commercial organization.
• Professional firm (law, accounting, consulting) experience is preferred

Technology / Office skills

• Solid Excel skills
• Proficient in use of PowerPoint
• General office systems
• SAP knowledge preferred but not necessary

Commercial Skills

• Ready to change and push for change
• Ability to manage conflict
• Ability to identify potential commercial issues

Language

• Fluent in English, strong verbal and writing skills

Technical Skills:

This list of duties and responsibilities above is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. As such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.