Finance Director

Grounded in a talent-centric mindset, Maker Lab is a marketing agency designed to build decentralised technology-led agency teams rooted in collaboration with clients from the ground up. Maker Lab’s cross-functional teams of multidisciplinary specialists are embedded into client teams across digital marketing competencies — from measurement & analytics to content production.

Finance Director

As Maker Lab’s Finance Director, you’ll manage the company’s overall finance and accounting functions and play a key role in shaping our business growth across APAC and EMEA through the implementation of sound commercial and financial strategies. You’ll be a key business partner, driving financial performance and profitability by tracking and analysing key performance indicators (KPIs), developing and implementing commercial finance strategies including pricing models and profitability analyses, and improving financial processes through technology to streamline end-to-end management, while also providing strategic financial input on business opportunities. You’ll ensure quality control across financial transactions, reporting, and compliance with financial procedures, systems, and policies.

We’re looking for someone ready to grow a business across different markets in APAC and EMEA, hence comfortable with ambiguity within a fast-growing company where everything isn’t 100% defined all the time. You’re results-driven, motivated and entrepreneurial with a ‘hands-on’ attitude and a strong sense of urgency. The ability to identify, triage, size and translate strategic opportunities is handy for you and the business.

Role:

- Responsible for the full spectrum of the Finance and Accounting function, including year-end closing, AR/AP management, budgeting and forecasting, FP&A and management reporting, and tax and other statutory reporting requirements.
- Working closely with the Directors and CEO to drive the company’s financial controls and budget, reporting, planning and analysis, providing leadership with ongoing financial and commercial advice.
- Building a strategic structure and cadence for financial planning and reviews.
- Provide the management team and new business team with sound commercial strategy to drive business growth.
- Generating business analysis and recommendations for periodic management reviews to bolster business opportunities and improvement projects.
- Closely monitor compliance with client contracts while driving profitability.
- Lead the team in accurate revenue forecasting, revenue phasing, risk identification, and detailed variance analyses, with a focus on enhancing forecasting accuracy and financial predictability.
- Develop and execute financial and taxation strategies, analyse financial trends, and create detailed projection plans; manage the company's budgeting processes, working capital, and cash flows.
- Preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports (balance sheet, P&L statements, cash flow updates), annual forecasts, financial planning and analysis, financial statements, corporate tax and GST filing and compliance.
- Liaising with internal and external auditors for audits, GST returns, Corporate Tax filing and ACRA registration matters.
- Manage banking relationships, cash management and other treasury-related activities.
- Advise HR, Talent, Account management and Business Operations teams with finance-related matters across a full payroll processing cycle, including claim submissions and forms (IR8A, IR21, NS and maternity) while acting as an internal advisor.

You:

- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and CA/CPA qualified with 12+ years of relevant experience.
- Experience working in a marketing/media/inhousing agency is advantageous.
- Previous experience in an audit firm is also advantageous
- Knowledge of agency costing models is an imperative for this role
- Strong understanding of APAC tax regulations and knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations. It would also be a huge plus if you understand EMEA regulations.
- Hands-on experience with audits, GST return submissions and Corporate Tax filing matters.
- Ability to translate financial reporting and generate insights for the rest of the business.
- Previous experience with systems integrations and maximising operational efficiencies and workflows is a nice-to-have
- Proven experience working closely with various business function heads, HR, Compensation and benefits teams.
- Exceptional verbal and written English communication and presentation skills.