Financial Controller

Job Title: Financial Controller, GCB4

This function brings together distinct specialisms to drive greater connectivity in how we manage engagement with key stakeholders for HSBC.

• Finance teams provide the bank with internal and external financial reporting, forecasting, controls oversight, and stress testing expertise. Specialist areas also manage HSBC’s worldwide tax affairs, group treasury needs, and events for investors and analysts.

Job Purpose:

Key position to manage steadily reliable financial data to be disclosed to local / regional stakeholders.  To achieve this mission, the position is to lead the comprehensive control in Finance area with effective operation. 

HSBC Japan has 4 entities:

• HBAP, i.e., The Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited Japan branch mainly focused on Global Banking and Markets Businesses
• IBJP, HSBC Securities Japan, incorporated in Japan separately from HBAP due to local regulation for the purpose of running the securities business of Global Markets.
• AMJP, HSBC Asset Management for Asset management business and,
• HSJL, HSBC Services to mainly focus on property services to the third party rent and other three entities as mentioned above in HSBC Japan.

The business in Japan plays a key role servicing its local client base but also leveraging off our international capabilities, working with clients who have cross border exposures and requirements.

The main purpose of the role is the management of the Head Office / Local regulatory Reporting team, the local Tax team, Financial control, and Financial Planning & Analysis responsibility for each of these entities to ensure efficient work processes and accurate and timely delivery.  Ensuring the integrity and reliability of accounting books and records whilst providing efficient and professional accounting and reliable support to internal customers.  These are the key foundation for Finance function to provide the proactive support and challenge to the stakeholders including the local business to grow the HSBC Japan presence.

With a number of Finance activities and roles performed within the GFC, the job holder is required to build and maintain an environment that motivates both the on- and offshore teams to; work closely together, deliver high quality work and implement best in class practices.

Principal Accountabilities:

Impact on the Business/Function

• Operational accounting – in order to provide the accountability of financial reporting prepared by Japan Finance team, the end-to-end process of financial reporting needs to be simplified, streamlined and standardized.  The JOB HOLDER is responsible for transforming the current structure to get effective to ensure accuracy of data and accounts and minimize operational loss and enhance data integrity with limited resources.
• .
• Deliverables to local regulators – Provide the stable quality of regular reports to local regulators through simple and effective end to end procedure.  As for the new activity / new product queried by business, the expected impact on CAR and other key indicators in local regulation for financial data shall be shared as the support of the business growth.,
• Tax – Not only having the oversight to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of Tax returns through preparation of tax returns, the key responsibility is on tax consulting and driving the discussion for proper tax compliance for business and functional stakeholders including Second Line of Defense review locally.
• Financial Control – including regular review of existing operational risk control framework, have close communication with other teams in HSBC Japan to provide sufficient education of key financial controls, for example, month end reconciliation. Also liaising closely with the regional COO team of Finance to implement wider regional initiatives and ensure timely communication of any matters relevant to NFR, and oversight of the Cadency and ARCC process for Japan.
• FP&A: Due to the relatively small structure of the Japan Finance team the FC role has an added responsibility of managing FP&A responsibilities. This entails responsible for supporting financial decision-making through budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis. FP&A acts as a strategic partner to senior management by providing insights that support planning, cost efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Key focuses by this position

• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting requirements of the Group and regulatory reporting
• Drive delivery of professional and expert Finance support to the business
• Show Leadership & Teamwork to cascade HSBC Strategy & policy, all relevant/appropriate information to the team and take the initiative to lead the team cultuture to support.
• Operational Effectiveness & Control to ensure accuracy of data and accounts and minimize operational loss and enhance data integrity.

Customers / Stakeholders

• The role faces off against multiple stakeholders. 
• The job-holder is responsible for the accuracy and integrity of all external and internal social accounting and Tax reports.  As a result, the stakeholders are Tax Authorities, External auditors, Regional FIN COO funciton /Regional CAO function and local Managmenet Committee members.
• The role holder must have a solid understanding of the different business lines offered in Japan, and be able to provide accurate and knowledgeable support to the business, particularly in areas of complex technical accounting where the business or accounting team members may require guidance and support.  These cotribution will not be provided at stay  back, instead, it is expected to drive the discussion for the sake of sound growth of the businesses and profile of HSBC Japan.

Leadership & Teamwork

Operational Effectiveness & Control

• Given that there are a number of separate legal entities in Japan. it is key that the JOB HOLDER is able to operate across a wide variety of businesses and environments, especially where the Finance function is “multi-hatted”.

• Additionally, Japan has actively pursued a strategy of centralization and offshoring of common Group Finance tasks and Controls.  The local team remains wholly responsible for the integrity of the ledger and reported numbers.  This means that extensive coordination, leadership, oversight and direction are required from the job holder with the various Offshore GFC teams as well as local team.  The job holder is responsible for i an active dialog to ensure that offshored roles are performed at the required level .and local team to provide the value added outputs based on their expertise in Finance world to be the benefit for the various stakeholders
• The job holder is responsible for line management of a team with a wide range of experience and backgrounds, building a trusted relationship with each, and ensuring that each is supported in their development needs and goals.

Management of Risk (Operational Risk / FIM requirements)

• This will be achieved by consistently displaying the behaviours that form part of the HSBC Values and culture and adhering to HSBC risk policies and procedures, including notification and escalation of any concerns and taking required action in relation to points raised by audit and/or external regulators.
• The jobholder is responsible for managing and mitigating operational risks in their day to day operations. In executing these responsibilities, the Group has adopted risk management and internal control structure referred to as the ‘Three Lines of Defence’. The jobholder should ensure they understand their position within the Three Lines of Defence, and act accordingly in line with operational risk policy, escalating in a timely manner where they are unsure of actions required.
• The jobholder has responsibility for overseeing and ensuring that Operational risks are managed in accordance with the Group FIM and relevant guidelines & standards.  The jobholder should comply with the detailed expectations and responsibilities for their core role in operational risk management through ensuring all actions take account of operational risks, and through using the Operational Risk Management Framework appropriately to manage those risks.  As a result of fullfillment of reuired actions in line with internal contel in HSBC, it should be also in line with regulators expectation. 

Observation of Internal Controls (Compliance Policy / FIM requirements)

• The jobholder will adhere to, and be able to demonstrate adherence to, internal controls and will implement the Group compliance policy by adhering to all relevant processes/procedures.
• The term ‘compliance’ embraces all relevant financial services laws, rules and codes with which the business has to comply. This will be achieved by adherence to all relevant procedures, keeping appropriate records and, where appropriate, by the timely implementation of internal and external audit points, including issues raised by external regulators.

Local Job Requirements, Qualifications & Experience:

• Receive timely updates from both the local regulatory reporting and tax teams, gaining comprehensive insights into the perspectives and requirements of local regulators. Facilitate the implementation of efficient operational procedures to address these requirements, leveraging HSBC’s IFRS-based accounting framework.
• Ideally, hold a recognised CPA or CA qualification with a minimum of three years’ relevant experience in Financial Accounting.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing regular financial reports in accordance with IFRS and, preferably, JGAAP standards.
• Preferable to possess product knowledge across Global Banking, Markets, and Asset Management.
• Relevant background in financial control and reporting within a comparable industry is essential.
• Proven experience in project leadership and team management is required.
• Demonstrated capability in driving organisational transformation.
• Fluency in both verbal and written English is essential; proficiency in Japanese is advantageous for effective engagement with local regulators