Japanese-Speaking Finance Accountant

We are looking for a Finance Accountant who is equally comfortable working in Japanese and English to join our clients finance team. This is a hands-on role at the centre of clients day-to-day accounting: you will own a defined part of the month-end close keep the ledgers clean and reconciled and act as the finance point of contact for our Japanese-language stakeholders whether that means suppliers clients auditors or colleagues in the Japan business. Because much of the source documentation correspondence and local reporting is in Japanese native or near-native Japanese is essential to the role rather than a nice-to-have.

Working hours 09:00 - 18:00 (morning shift)

This opportunity is open only to candidates based in the Philippines

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end accounts payable cycle: process supplier invoices match to purchase orders and receipts and resolve exceptions.

• Handle Japanese-language invoices credit notes and supplier correspondence including 請求書 and qualified-invoice (インボイス制度) requirements.

• Manage the AP inbox and act as first point of contact for supplier queries in Japanese and English chasing missing documentation and clearing aged items.

• Prepare and execute payment runs ensuring correct bank details currency withholding tax and payment terms.

• Reconcile supplier statements and the AP sub-ledger to the general ledger investigating and clearing differences.

• Prepare and post month-end journals accruals prepayments provisions and support a timely close.

• Own the reconciliation of assigned balance sheet accounts including bank intercompany and accrued expenses.

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure transactions are coded accurately and consistently.

• Prepare monthly management reporting packs with variance commentary.

• Support cash management: payment forecasting bank postings and short-term cashflow reporting.

• Act as the finance teams Japanese-language interface with suppliers banks tax agents and the Japan-based team.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Native or near-native written and spoken Japanese - mandatory

• Fluent in English (verbal and written) - mandatory

• Around 35 years of accounting experience covering month-end close reconciliations and transactional finance.

• Part-qualified or qualified accountant (ACCA ACA CIMA CPA 日商簿記 2級 or above or equivalent) or qualified by experience with a demonstrable track record.

• Sound understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and core accounting principles.

• Strong Excel skills pivot tables lookups large-volume data handling and reconciliation techniques.

• Experience with an accounting system such as Sage and / or Oracle Fusion

• Accuracy and attention to detail with the discipline to reconcile properly rather than round off.

• Proven ability to work independently and manage deadlines in a remote or distributed team.

• Clear written communication in a remote role most of your work is handed over in writing.