Chief Accountant

Position Summary
The Chief Accountant is responsible for the overall management of the FDI's accounting function in Vietnam, ensuring compliance with Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS), tax regulations, statutory reporting requirements, and company financial policies. The role is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, managing statutory audits and tax matters, supporting business decision-making through financial analysis, and ensuring effective internal controls.
The Chief Accountant will serve as the legally appointed Chief Accountant in accordance with Vietnamese regulations where required and acts as the primary liaison with external auditors, tax authorities, banks, and government agencies as required.
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Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Reporting
• Manage the day-to-day accounting operations of the company.
• Ensure accurate recording of all financial transactions.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS).
• Support reporting under IFRS where required by the parent company.
• Complete month-end and year-end close processes within established timelines.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain fixed asset registers and depreciation schedules.
Statutory Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with Vietnamese accounting, tax, and financial regulations.
• Prepare and submit statutory financial reports.
• Oversee VAT, Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), and other tax filings.
• Coordinate annual statutory audits if required.
• Liaise with tax authorities and government agencies.
• Monitor changes in Vietnamese accounting and tax legislation and implement required updates.
Tax Management
• Ensure timely filing of all tax returns.
• Review tax calculations and reconciliations.
• Coordinate tax inspections and audits.
• Identify tax risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Support transfer pricing documentation and related compliance.
• Work closely with external tax advisors as and when required.
Treasury & Cash Management
• Monitor daily cash flow and liquidity.
• Manage banking relationships.
• Review payment approvals in accordance with company authority levels.
• Ensure effective cash management practices.
• Support foreign exchange transactions and intercompany settlements.
Internal Controls & Governance
• Develop and maintain effective accounting policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with internal control frameworks.
• Safeguard company assets.
• Monitor financial risks.
• Recommend improvements to accounting processes.
• Ensure segregation of duties and financial governance standards.
Expense Analysis & Cost Control
• Review company operating expenses for accuracy and compliance.
• Analyze spending trends and identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Monitor departmental expenses against approved budgets.
• Prepare expense analysis reports for management.
• Support initiatives to improve operational efficiency and financial performance.
CFO & Management Support
• Provide financial information and analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Assist the CFO or Senior Finance team with financial projects and strategic initiatives.
• Prepare reports for regional and global finance teams.
• Support business planning through financial insights and performance reporting.
• Assist with due diligence, internal audits, and corporate reporting requirements.
Systems & Process Improvement
• Maintain integrity of ERP and accounting systems.
• Lead in system implementations and upgrades.
• Improve accounting processes through automation and standardization.
• Support digital transformation initiatives within Finance.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Appointment qualifications as a Chief Accountant under applicable Vietnamese regulations.
• Professional accounting certification (CPA Vietnam, ACCA, CPA Australia, or equivalent) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS).
• Working knowledge of IFRS is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of Vietnamese tax regulations.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.