Regional Controller

A leading global organisation is seeking a Regional Controller to join their expanding finance team in Penang, Malaysia.

This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to oversee financial operations for multiple APAC legal entities, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and compliance across diverse jurisdictions. You will be part of a supportive, international team that values flexibility, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement. If you are passionate about financial integrity, thrive in collaborative environments, and are eager to make a meaningful impact on business processes, this position provides an excellent platform for your professional growth. The organisation is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and support, offering flexible working opportunities and encouraging applications from those returning to work after a career break.

What you'll do:

As a Regional Controller, you will play an instrumental role in safeguarding the financial health of several APAC legal entities. Your day-to-day activities will involve collaborating with colleagues across different countries to ensure seamless month-end closings, preparing detailed reports for senior leaders, and taking charge of statutory audits. You will also be responsible for developing your team’s capabilities through thoughtful recruitment and training efforts. By proactively identifying areas for process enhancement—especially through automation—you will help drive efficiency throughout the finance function. Your ability to foster strong relationships with cross-functional partners such as Tax, FP&A, Legal Risk Compliance, Business Operations, and Technical Accounting will be crucial in resolving complex challenges. Success in this role means not only maintaining rigorous compliance but also championing best practices that elevate overall performance.

• Oversee the financial integrity of multiple APAC legal entities by managing all aspects of ledger maintenance and ensuring accurate financial statements.
• Lead the expansion of the Penang Finance team by participating in recruitment, onboarding new colleagues, providing training, and supporting ongoing capability development.
• Collaborate closely with Group Controllers to implement accounting policies in line with US GAAP, IFRS, and local standards while maintaining strong cross-functional relationships.
• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual closing processes; prepare comprehensive financial reports and presentations for senior management as well as external stakeholders.
• Take ownership of statutory audits at the local level while supporting group audits; liaise effectively with both internal and external auditors to ensure smooth audit cycles.
• Work alongside Group Tax to guarantee timely and precise fulfilment of all local tax obligations including Corporate Tax, GST, and Transfer Pricing requirements.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory filings for each entity within the APAC region by keeping abreast of evolving statutory laws and regulations.
• Establish robust internal controls across all financial processes to maintain policy adherence and set up effective control governance frameworks.
• Coordinate with Global Treasury teams to manage local treasury operations such as working capital requirements, forecasting needs, and capital expenditure planning.
• Drive process improvements by identifying opportunities for automation or streamlining workflows; lead initiatives or projects that support business-driven or system changes.

What you bring:

To excel as a Regional Controller in this organisation’s finance team, you will bring extensive experience managing statutory audits, tax compliance matters, regulatory filings, and month-end close activities within large multinational companies. Your deep technical knowledge—spanning US GAAP, IFRS/local standards—and proficiency with leading ERP platforms will enable you to navigate complex accountancy landscapes confidently. Beyond technical acumen, your interpersonal skills will shine as you build trust-based relationships across departments while guiding your own team’s growth through mentorship and clear goal-setting. Your commitment to accuracy is matched by your enthusiasm for process improvement: you are always looking for ways to leverage technology or best practices that streamline workflows. With your adaptable mindset and solution-oriented approach, you are well-equipped to handle shifting priorities while maintaining high standards of quality.

• Demonstrated experience of 12-15 years (flexible for exceptional candidates) in accounting or finance roles focused on statutory audit, tax compliance, regulatory filings, and month-end close procedures within multinational environments.
• Advanced understanding of accounting principles including US GAAP and IFRS/local standards; proven ability to apply these frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.
• Extensive hands-on experience with ERP systems such as SAP (preferred), Oracle, Workday or Dayforce for payroll processing and general ledger management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, advanced formulas; adept at using technology to enhance data analysis and reporting accuracy.
• Track record of leading high-performing teams in global settings; skilled at delegating tasks effectively while nurturing a sense of shared ownership among team members.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills enabling clear presentation of complex financial information to senior stakeholders such as Group Controllers or CFOs.
• Meticulous attention to detail when reviewing reconciliations or journal entries; consistently ensures 100% accuracy in all deliverables.
• Strong analytical abilities allowing you to interpret intricate financial data sets and identify emerging trends or discrepancies promptly.
• Adaptability to thrive within dynamic environments where priorities may shift rapidly; able to manage competing demands without compromising quality or deadlines.
• Proactive approach towards problem-solving; always seeking solutions that address root causes rather than symptoms.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its truly global reach—bringing together talented professionals from the UK, India, Sweden, Penang, and the US into one cohesive finance network. The company fosters an inclusive culture where knowledge sharing is encouraged at every level. Employees benefit from flexible working opportunities designed to accommodate personal commitments while supporting professional ambitions. The leadership team is deeply invested in employee development through ongoing training opportunities that empower individuals at every stage of their careers. Notably supportive towards those returning after career breaks—the company’s dedicated initiatives ensure everyone feels welcomed back into the workforce. Here you’ll find a workplace that values dependability just as much as innovation—a place where your contributions are recognised within a collaborative environment built on mutual respect.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on a rewarding challenge where your expertise can shape the future of finance operations across APAC regions—this is your moment!

Apply today or email me at jack.moh@robertwalters.com.my to discuss this new opportunity.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C