Finance Specialist

Job Summary

The Financial Control Analyst performs structured financial and accounting activities to ensure the accuracy of financial records compliance with internal and external requirements and delivery of relevant insights to support business decisions. This role is essential in maintaining the integrity of financial data across General Ledger and Sub-Ledger processes including journal entries reconciliations accruals inter-company transactions and financial reporting.

The Financial Control Analyst applies technical accounting knowledge and financial analysis skills to support business planning reporting and compliance. This role requires a working understanding of professional accounting standards financial systems and business processes with growing capability in applying analytical tools and contributing to process improvements.

Operating under general guidance the Financial Control Analyst works independently to resolve moderately complex issues support cross-functional initiatives and ensure timely and accurate financial outputs. The role improves the efficiency and work quality of multiple teams through effective coordination and guidance and requires sound judgment to manage escalated exceptions. The analyst also contributes to enterprise strategy by identifying financial risks and opportunities aligning accounting practices with business objectives and supporting strategic initiatives through financial insights.

Role and Responsibilities

The Financial Control Analyst performs financial and accounting activities to ensure the accuracy of financial records compliance with internal and external requirements and delivery of relevant insights to support business decisions. Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

1) Accounting and Reporting

• Record-to-Report Execution: Accurately record transactions maintain supporting documentation (including review/validation of intercompany agreements to support accurate accounting entries). Recommend suitable accounting treatments for transactions and demonstrate awareness of relevant standards.

• Period Close: Independently performing journal entries accruals and reclasses; reconciling sub-ledgers to the general ledger; evaluating accounts for legitimacy and substantiation; review account reconciliation and provide signoff; approve and release journal entries in accordance with internal controls and compliance standards; and ensuring timely and accurate financial submissions.

• Benefits and Compensation Process: Ensure that the accounting and financial reporting processes for compensation-related expenses (such as salaries bonuses and benefits accruals) comply with internal controls accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Effectively review and support financial statement preparation of statutory and management reporting by ensuring accuracy completeness and compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

• Reporting and Analytical Support: Design and develop reporting analyses aligned with accounting standards to support ad-hoc decision-making.

• Accounting Advisory Support: Providing expert guidance on complex accounting matters.
  • Apply new accounting standards ensuring accurate implementation and alignment with corporate policies.
  • Collaborate with business leaders to assess the financial impact of strategic initiatives identify areas of financial risk or opportunity and ensure alignment of accounting treatments with enterprise goals.

2) Cost Management & Planning

• Budgeting & Forecasting: Support budgeting forecasting and business planning activities by ensuring accurate preparation of inputs reviewing variance analyses and delivering insights that support strategic decision-making.
• Expense Management: Conduct effective expense management by reviewing the calculation and recording of expenses and expense allocations conducting expense analysis and variance analysis.

3) Process Controls & Systems

• Process Compliance & Improvement: Adhere to established processes and operating procedures identify areas for improvement and support implementation of process enhancements. Ensure adherence to SOX Controls.
• System Admin Maintenance: Review set-up of cost centers accounting units and account structures to ensure alignment to functional requirements and proper flow of entries.

4) Collaboration Projects & Stakeholders

• Stakeholder Engagement: Effectively communicate complex financial information including sensitive or nuanced data to diverse stakeholders across functions.
• Project Participation: Participate in planning and execution of projects including process transitions system enhancements and audits by estimating actions resources and timelines.
• Finance Process Modernization: Proactively support in-flight transformation projects and contribute to change initiatives.

Qualifications

Education & Certification

• Bachelors degree in accounting Finance or related field.
• CPA (or other professional certification e.g. China Intermediate Accounting Qualification) preferred
• Japanese Certified N1 with demonstrated ability to manage business communications and stakeholder relationships in Japanese

Experience

• 5 years relevant experience in accounting processes including Record-to-Report (R2R) Procure-to-Pay (P2P) and Order-to-Cash (O2C) as well as financial reporting cost management and compliance.
• Experience coordinating tasks and coaching/mentoring is an advantage.
• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration and participation in financial projects or process improvement initiatives.

Technical Skills

• Solid understanding and application of professional accounting standards (e.g. IFRS US GAAP).
• Proficiency in transactional accounting period-end close activities and financial reporting.
• Working knowledge of cost accounting methods and financial planning techniques.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g. SAP INFOR) and accounting applications; familiarity with tools such as Ivalua or analytical tools such as Cadency is an advantage.
• Ability to identify and recommend system enhancements and automation opportunities.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with sound judgment in resolving moderately complex issues.
• Effective communication skills including the ability to present financial data clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions and manage stakeholder relationships.
• Adaptability to change and proactive support of transformation initiatives.

Successful Behaviors

• Embrace diverse perspectives and collaborate effectively across teams through active listening inclusive interaction and cooperative teamwork.
• Take full ownership of assigned objectives proactively drive work to completion and consistently deliver high-quality outputs aligned with deadlines.
• Demonstrate accountability and initiative in managing tasks and contributing to team and business unit goals.
• Understand business direction and evaluate the impact of change management on financial processes and responsibilities.
• Maintain a continuous improvement mindset and contribute to process optimization and modernization efforts.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us visit is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment retention advancement and compensation and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race ancestry place of origin colour ethnic origin citizenship religion or religious beliefs creed sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions) sexual orientation genetic characteristics veteran status gender identity gender expression age marital status family status disability or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process contact .