Director, Finance

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is a world famous brand with offices across the globe. An American icon, Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence extending beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument, it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

We are searching for a Director, Finance based Tokyo, Japan, who is responsible for leading and developing the Finance team in Japan.

Position:             Director, Finance

Essential Functions:

   (Accounting - Japan)

• Responsible for the accurate and timely completion of monthly financial close via planning, coordinating and working with employees in various levels and functions of the company to achieve this.
• Lead and develop the employees of Finance team; execute back-up and succession plans for key roles.
• Provide high-level direction and oversight to general Accounting procedures and operations to maintain a control environment by implementing best practice
• Plan and direct accounting operation functions for areas such as fixed assets, prepaid assets and accruals, royalties and licensing, rebates, self-insurance, stock-based compensation, payroll, cash, and allowances and reserves.
• Review Financial statements and account reconciliations to assure adherence to Accounting Principles with analyzing financial information, collect information, call attention to trends and report on variances
• Build strong relationships with internal customers in order to become a trusted business partner.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to simplify, standardize and streamline financial shared service activities.
• Implement new financial policies and procedures as the Company increases its retail business and launches new retail touchpoints
• Ensure preparation of annual financial statements and statutory documentation including Shareholders’ minute
• Review contracts/agreements/new transactions to ensure proper accounting, policies and tax treatment with consulting international counterparts and external professionals
• Implement global corporate policies and procedures, or adjust them to local environment when needed, and enforce them consistently to promote organizational culture and mitigate risks
• Liaison with external audit teams to ensure timely delivery of audit requests
• Liaison with external tax accountant to ensure timely delivery of tax filing related requests
• Liaison with banks for treasury activities
• Liaison with tax authority
• Other duties as assigned

   (FP&A - APAC)

• Responsible for gathering and interpreting financial data in order to assist in corporate financial decisions.
• Cultivate company analysis and company reporting on a monthly basis to compare our actual resulting to prior years, budgets, and forecasts, in addition to developing and implementing analytical tools to improve the understanding of company results in order to drive better-quality decisions.
• Responsible for creating company analysis for long term strategic planning and annual budgets
• Drive the analysis and preparation of monthly and annual financial presentations for corporate and board reporting
• Create the analysis for long term strategic planning, annual budgets, and periodic forecasts including the development of materials
• Assist in managing process for long term strategic planning, annual budgets, and periodic forecasts
• Continuously refine projections, analyze variances / KPI performance against expectations, and elevate insights that will allow for fully informed business decisions
• Prepare monthly R&O and trend risk analysis
• Support bank and investor modeling and any other ad-hoc financial, strategic, and investment analysis as needed
• Lead, develop, and mentor Financial analysts
• Lead development of analytical capabilities across financial planning and analysis team including development of financial policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

 Business Knowledge, Skill Requirements, and Desired Attributes:

• Proficiency in technical accounting research related to the proper application of accounting pronouncements, including the implementation of new accounting pronouncements.
• Practical experience of all parts of the finance function including statutory and fiscal reporting and corporation tax for companies
• Thorough understanding of relevant accounting bodies’ regulations.
• Budgeting and forecasting experience
• Financial modeling experience
• Proven analytical ability
• Exceptional attention to detail and passion for accurate, high-quality work
• Highly competent with utilizing data to drive the decision-making process
• Capable of working well independently and in a team environment
• Customer service oriented and good business acumen
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressured timelines with flexibility
• Integrity
• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office
• Working experience using a large ERP system, SAP specifically preferred

Education and/or Certifications and/or Training:

• CPA or equivalent qualification

Minimum Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 8-10 years of relevant work experience, combining both public accounting and industry experience, with at least 3-5 years managing people