Financial Controller

Job description

JOB SUMMARY The Financial Controller, R2R Shared Services and Projects is responsible for leading Record-to-Report operations across Asia Pacific, ensuring the integrity of financial reporting, accounting compliance, balance sheet governance, internal controls, and statutory reporting. The role partners closely with the Regional Director, Shared Services and Projects to drive operational excellence, standardization, automation, and continuous improvement across accounting and finance processes. The Financial Controller acts as the regional process owner for R2R activities and is accountable for the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial information while maintaining compliance with IFRS, US GAAP, SOX requirements, and company policies. The Financial Controller provides leadership to finance teams, supports audit and compliance activities, and partners with stakeholders to achieve organizational objectives while maintaining the highest standards of financial stewardship and governance. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Primary Business Partners: Regional Finance & Accounting teams Shared Services Leadership Global Business Services leadership Corporate Finance & Accounting Team Interfaces With: Business Unit Finance Leaders Tax and Treasury Team Operational and Commercial Teams Onsite and Regional HR Leaders Legal Internal and external auditors 3rd party vendors/service providers JOB SPECIFIC TASKS Overall responsibilities Lead and manage Shared Services operations, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective service delivery. Ensure timely and accurate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close processes. Maintain a robust control environment in compliance with SOX, IFRS/US GAAP, and company policies. Oversee accounting operations across multiple markets within the Asia Pacific region. Ensure compliance with statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements. Drive process standardization, operational efficiencies, and continuous improvement initiatives. Partner with business and finance stakeholders to support decision-making through quality financial information. Lead and develop high-performing finance and accounting teams within Shared Services. Support finance transformation and automation initiatives to enhance efficiency and controls. Manage risks, escalations, and resolution of accounting and control issues. Execute Shared Services operational priorities and transformation initiatives under the direction of the RDSSP. Support the development and implementation of the regional Shared Services and transformation roadmap. Lead day-to-day operations of Shared Services functions and ensure delivery against established performance targets and service levels. Provide leadership, coaching, and development for Shared Services managers and teams. Strategic Planning & Business Partnerships: Serve as regional process owner for R2R operations across Asia Pacific. Provide accounting leadership and guidance on complex transactions, accounting treatments, and policy interpretations Partner with business leaders and functional stakeholders to support operational decision-making and identify improvement opportunities. Support the RDSSP in developing and executing the regional Shared Services and transformation roadmap for Asia Pacific. Manage and execute regional projects including ERP enhancements, process migrations, system implementations, and automation initiatives. Prepare and deliver business cases and project updates to senior leadership. Ensure alignment between market specific requirements and global standards. Lead regional projects including system rollouts, ERP enhancements, and process migrations. Make sound business decisions that balance stakeholder needs, operational realities, and long-term objectives. Monitor project timelines, budgets, risks, and benefits realization. Make quality business decisions that thoughtfully weigh the facts and understand the interests of stakeholders involved. Drive accounting policy harmonization and adoption of global standards across markets. Shared Services Operations & Controls Responsible for operational leadership and service delivery performance of Shared Services processes including R2R and related finance operations. Accountable for achieving agreed service levels, process efficiencies, and quality standards. Oversee delivery across R2R core processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. Drive harmonization of processes and adoption of best practices across markets. Standardize processes across markets to drive efficiency and consistency. Implement robust internal control frameworks and ensure audit readiness. Maintain audit readiness and support statutory compliance across jurisdictions. Collaborate with Tax and Corporate Finance teams to ensure appropriate treatment of transactions and minimize risk exposure. Leverage automation and analytics to improve efficiency and enhance reporting capabilities. Identify operational risks and control gaps and coordinate remediation activities with business and corporate stakeholders. Financial Close Management Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities across all entities under scope. Ensure timely completion of close activities and compliance with reporting deadlines. Review and approve journal entries, accruals, provisions, and adjustments. Ensure completeness and accuracy of financial statements and management reports. Lead close optimization and close acceleration initiatives. Balance Sheet Governance Ensure all balance sheet reconciliations are completed accurately and timely. Establish governance over high-risk accounts and aging reconciliations. Review and challenge unusual balances, trends, and reconciling items. Ensure resolution of outstanding balance sheet issues within established timelines. Financial Reporting Oversee preparation and submission of management and corporate reporting packages. Ensure compliance with IFRS, US GAAP, statutory reporting requirements, and corporate accounting policies. Review financial results and investigate significant variances. Support external financial reporting requirements where applicable. Governance and Controls: Serve as control owner for key R2R SOX processes. Lead financial risk assessments across entities and processes. Ensure full compliance with internal control requirements and corporate policies. Maintain audit readiness at all times. Lead remediation plans arising from internal and external audits. Review accounting judgments and estimates for compliance and appropriateness. Ensure proper documentation of accounting policies and standard operating procedures. Maintain a strong control environment through regular assessments, risk reviews, and compliance monitoring. Establish structured project governance and reporting frameworks. Manage risks and dependencies across markets and functions. Drive financial governance and transparency across Shared Services operations. Deliver measurable outcomes including cost savings, cycle-time reduction, and quality improvements. Project & Transformation Leadership Lead the execution of approved regional transformation initiatives and projects. Manage project plans, milestones, budgets, risks, and stakeholder communications. Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation and business adoption. Support business case development and benefits realization tracking. Drive automation and digital solutions that improve efficiency, control, and service quality. Provide regular project status updates and recommendations to the RDSSP and leadership teams. Team Development Build and lead high-performing, geographically diverse teams. Develop capabilities in Shared Services, transformation, and project management. Drive a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation. Develop succession plans and capability-building initiatives within Shared Services functions. Collaborate with HR on workforce planning and capability building. Foster engagement and retention across in-market and shared services teams. Recommend organizational and operating model improvements to support Shared Services effectiveness and scalability. Promote associate growth through mentorship, job shadowing, and rotation opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous development. Strengthen the organization by recruiting, motivating, and retaining talent, including remote or matrixed teams within the portfolio. Translate regional objectives into departmental goals and performance expectations for Shared Services teams. Actively drive training programs by Regional or Corporate-led - to upskill team capabilities (technical, interpersonal or digital skills) Continuously enhance financial reporting by analyzing job tasks and structures to maintain strong controls, transparency, and operational efficiency. Work cross-functionally to identify and eliminate obstacles that hinder team performance and goal achievement. CANDIDATE PROFILE Preferred Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Accounting preferred; or related major. CPA, CA or equivalent qualifications 8 -12 years of progressive accounting and finance experience. Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing accounting teams. Proven experience in leading Shared Services or Global Business Services organizations is preferred. Experience managing cross-border teams and complex regional operations. Proficiency in reading and writing in English (additional language required for certain positions). Positive, self-starter and highly driven Strong business acumen and strategic thinking Deep understanding of Record-to-Report processes Expertise in process improvement (Lean, Six Sigma, automation) Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills Effective communication and executive presentation skills Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI) This role requires flexibility to support business needs across time zones and may involve occasional travel within the region. COMPETENCIES, BASIC SKILLS, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Leadership Adaptability - Determines how change impacts self and others; displays flexibility in adjusting priorities; and communicates both the reasons for change and how it impacts the workplace. Communication - Customizes approach to conveying complex information and ideas to others in a convincing and engaging manner; appropriately interprets verbal and non-verbal behavior; and models active listening to ensure understanding. Problem Solving and Decision Making - Models and coaches others on breaking complex issues into manageable parts, identifying and evaluating alternatives and their implications before making decisions, and involving and gaining agreement from others when making key decisions. Professional Demeanor - Exhibits behavioral styles that convey confidence and command respect from others; makes a good first impression and represents the company in alignment with its values. Leading Through Vision and Values - Keeps the organization's vision and values at the forefront of decision making and action. Managing Change - Initiates and/or manages the change process and energizes it on an ongoing basis, taking steps to remove barriers or accelerate its pace; serves as role model for how to handle change by maintaining composure and performance under pressure or when experiencing challenges. Strategy Development - Develops business plans by exploring and systematically evaluating opportunities with the greatest potential for producing positive results; ensures successful preparation and execution of business plans through effective planning, organizing, and on-going evaluation processes Managing Execution Building and Contributing to Teams - Leads and participates as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of common goals while fostering cohesion and collaboration among team members. Driving for Results - Sets high standards of performance for self and/or others; assumes responsibility for work objectives; initiates, focuses, and monitors the efforts of self and/or others toward the accomplishment goals; proactively acts and goes beyond what is required. Planning and Organizing - Gathers information and resources required to set a plan of action for self and/or others; prioritizes and arranges work requirements for self and/or others to accomplish goals and ensure work is completed. Building Relationships Coworker Relationships - Interacts with others in a way that builds openness, trust, and confidence in the pursuit of organizational goals and lasting relationships. Customer Relationships - Develops and sustains relationships based on an understanding of customer needs and actions consistent with the company’s service standards. Global Mindset - Supports employees and business partners with diverse styles, abilities, motivations, and/or cultural perspectives; utilizes differences to drive innovation, engagement and enhance business results; and ensures employees are given the opportunity to contribute to their full potential. Strategic Partnerships - Develops collaborative relationships with fellow employees and business partners by making them feel valued, appreciated, and included; explores partnership opportunities with other people in and outside the organization; influences and leverages corporate and continental shared services and/or discipline leaders (e.g., HR, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Revenue Management) to achieve objectives; maintains effective external relations with government, business and industry in respective countries; performs effectively as a liaison between locations, disciplines, and corporate to ensure needed resources are received and corporate strategies are understood and executed. Generating Talent and Organizational Capability Organizational Capability - Evaluates and adapts the structure of team assignments and work processes to best fit the needs and/or support the goals of an organizational unit. Talent Management - Provides guidance and feedback to help individuals develop and strengthen skills and abilities needed to accomplish work objectives. Learning and Applying Professional Expertise Business Acumen - Understands and utilizes business information to manage everyday operations and generate innovative solutions to approach team, business, and administrative challenges. Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Applied Business Knowledge - Evaluates market conditions, organizational objectives, and important aspects of the business to accurately diagnose market opportunities and threats; anticipates opportunities and threats, identify issues, and develop strategies and plans. Aligning individual and team actions with strategies and plans to drive business results. Management of Financial Resources – Determining how money will be spent to get the work done and accounting for these expenditures. Continuous Learning - Actively identifies new areas for learning; regularly creates and takes advantage of learning opportunities; uses newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learns through their application. Strategy Knowledge - Understanding and utilizing professional skills and knowledge in a specific functional area to conduct and manage business operations and generate innovative solutions to approach function-specific strategic work challenges. Technical Acumen - Understands and utilizes professional skills and knowledge in a specific functional area to conduct and manage everyday business operations and generate innovative solutions to approach function-specific work challenges. This includes but not limited to Auditing and Reconciliation, General Finance and Accounting, Analysis, Accounting Knowledge, Auditing Skills and Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable. Marriott Vacations Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.