Vice President, Financial Controller

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

The role reports to the Chief Financial Officer, Sun Life Hong Kong, Life and Health and leads the functions of financial accounting, treasury and fund valuation, disbursements, investment accounting, capital and regulatory financial reporting, and taxation.

Job Description:

• Financial & Regulatory Reporting:  Ensure various financial reports (e.g. monthly CIFRS financials) and regulatory reports (e.g. monthly HK Statutory financials and various other regulatory filings) are produced in a timely and robust manner. Handle CIFRS and statutory audits for various Hong Kong entities. Oversee the Internal Controls function and ensure integrity of internal and external reports. Handle communication and inquiries from regulators and ad hoc requests.

• Development and application of accounting policies: Ensure that accounting standards e.g. IFRS 17, IFRS 9, HKFRS etc. are appropriately interpreted and applied in the production of the financial statements. Leverage and apply Enterprise level interpretation of the accounting policy papers. Stay abreast of changes to the accounting standards. Develop deep insights on the business implications of significant changes to the accounting standards, and provide insights to management in support of driving business achievements. Build accounting memos for transactions outside the ordinary course of business e.g. M&A, new distribution channel, new product line etc. 

• Taxation: Ensure annual tax filings with the HK Inland Revenue Department are handled in a timely and robust manner. Stay abreast of changes to the tax policies e.g. BEPS 2.0. Develop deep insights on the business implication of significant changes to the tax policies. Ensure the company is compliant with applicable transfer pricing requirements for relevant related party transactions. Liaise with the Regional Office Tax team as appropriate.

• Finance Operations: Oversee the Treasury, Distribution compensation and Investment Operations teams. Ensure all payments such as vendor payments, staff reimbursements, advisor payments, etc. are handled in a timely and efficient manner. Ensure that the settlement of the notional cash and investments transactions are handled in a timely and robust manner. Optimize the return on the treasury funds. Deliver continuous improvements in the finance operations processes. Drive continuous improvements in the work processes.

• Talent, Culture and Operating Model: Develop the Finance talent pool (e.g. through job rotations, secondments etc.) Nurture and retain identified top talents. With implementation of new accounting and capital regimes in 2022/2023, transform financial reporting team by evaluating and implementing changes in team’s operating model, capabilities, and processes. Streamline workflow, eliminate reliance on older systems and achieve efficiency gain. 

Preferred skills

• Strong understanding of key accounting standards e.g. IFRS 17, IFRS 9 etc.

• Strong understanding of the insurance business including daily operations

• Strong communication skills to deal with varied stakeholders e.g. leadership team, auditors, regulators, Regional Office etc.

• Leading, coaching and developing a large team

Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant from the HKICPA or equivalent

• At least 12 years of solid experience in relevant work areas (e.g. financial accounting, controllership etc.) with at least 8 years of managerial experience