Chief Financial Officer

About the client:

Our client is an online travel platform and travel-technology provider that lets users search and book travel services such as flights and hotel accommodations through one portal. It offers travel booking solutions for both B2C (consumer) and B2B (travel agents/business partners), with features including real-time flight search, hotel booking, and travel APIs that integrate booking and ticketing functions into other systems.

Job Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will lead the financial strategy and governance of the organization within the travel arrangements industry. This role is critical in managing complex cash flows, supplier settlements, revenue reconciliation, pricing margins, and regulatory compliance while supporting business growth, digital transformation, and operational scalability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Commercial Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and leadership team to drive financial strategy aligned with business expansion and profitability.
• Provide strategic input on pricing models, margins, commissions, supplier contracts, and new travel products.
• Support regional or global expansion, partnerships, and corporate travel accounts.

Financial Management & Controls

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and working capital optimization.
• Manage revenue recognition, supplier payments (airlines, hotels, travel vendors), and reconciliation processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly management accounts and financial reporting.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Malaysian financial regulations, tax laws, and industry-specific requirements.
• Strengthen internal controls, especially around ticketing, refunds, chargebacks, and credit risk.
• Liaise with auditors, tax advisors, banks, BSP/IATA partners, and regulatory bodies.

Business Performance & Analysis

• Monitor KPIs such as gross margins, cost per booking, revenue leakage, and customer profitability.
• Conduct financial analysis on route performance, corporate accounts, and travel spend patterns.
• Lead financial modeling for new initiatives, digital platforms, and automation projects.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop the finance, accounting, and compliance teams.
• Manage relationships with banks, payment gateways, suppliers, and strategic partners.
• Present financial performance, risks, and forecasts to the Board and senior stakeholders.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field
  (MBA or Masters degree is an advantage)
• Professional qualification such as ACCA, CPA, CIMA, or CA is highly preferred
• Minimum 10–15 years of finance experience, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role
• Prior experience in travel, tourism, aviation, hospitality, or service-based industries is highly desirable
• Strong understanding of high-volume transactions, supplier settlements, and cash flow-intensive businesses
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and stakeholder management skills