Financial Controller

Our client is a Malaysia-based publicly listed investment holding company with diversified interests in property development, construction, healthcare, education, and property investment.

Role Overview

The Financial Controller will be a pivotal leader in our client's finance team, responsible for overseeing all financial operations, reporting, and strategic financial planning across its diverse business units, with a strong emphasis on the property development and construction sectors. This role demands a hands-on approach to managing complex project accounting, ensuring robust financial controls, and providing insightful financial analysis to support strategic decision-making and drive sustained growth in a dynamic, publicly listed environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of the accounting and financial reporting functions, ensuring timely and accurate preparation of consolidated financial statements in compliance with Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards (MFRS) and Bursa Malaysia listing requirements.
• Oversee project accounting for property development and construction projects, including percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, work-in-progress (WIP) valuation, cost allocation, and margin analysis specific to long-term contracts.
• Manage the financial aspects of construction contracts, including accurate tracking of progress claims, retentions, variations, and subcontractor payments, ensuring adherence to contractual terms and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement robust financial controls, policies, and procedures tailored to mitigate risks inherent in large-scale construction projects and diversified business operations.
• Drive comprehensive project cost control initiatives, monitoring budget vs. actual performance, analyzing variances, and providing actionable insights to project managers and senior leadership to optimize profitability.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and management, optimizing working capital and ensuring sufficient liquidity for ongoing projects and operational needs, considering the unique payment cycles and financing structures of the construction industry.
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting processes across all business segments, providing detailed financial models and performance metrics.
• Coordinate and manage external audits, ensuring a smooth process and timely resolution of audit queries, particularly concerning complex project accounting treatments.
• Evaluate and manage financial risks, including foreign exchange exposure, interest rate risks, and credit risks associated with contractors, suppliers, and clients within the construction value chain.
• Leverage and optimize financial modules within ERP systems, ideally those with capabilities for project-based accounting, construction management, and consolidation across multiple entities.
• Provide strategic financial analysis and recommendations to the Board and senior management on business performance, investment opportunities, and operational efficiencies.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, compliance, and high performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Professionally qualified (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA, MIA) with a valid practicing certificate.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or managerial capacity.
• Demonstrable experience within the property development, construction, engineering, or related heavy industries is mandatory.
• In-depth knowledge and practical application of Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards (MFRS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), particularly MFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers), MFRS 10 (Consolidated Financial Statements), and MFRS 16 (Leases), as applied to the construction sector.
• Proven expertise in project costing, contract accounting, percentage-of-completion method, and managing retentions, variations, and joint ventures in construction projects.
• Experience with financial reporting for a publicly listed company, including familiarity with Bursa Malaysia listing requirements and corporate governance best practices.
• Proficiency in financial ERP systems; experience with construction-specific modules or industry-leading platforms (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Aconex, Yardi) is highly advantageous.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data, identify trends, and provide strategic recommendations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• High level of integrity, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong commitment to ethical practices and regulatory compliance.