Assistant Finance Manager - Accounts Receivable

Business Context

Unilever Asia Private Limited (UAPL) is one of Unilever s Global Centre, in Singapore. UAPL hosts several key centralised business models (CBMs) under its roof - namely Unilever International, Global Procurement Operations for Raw Material and Finished Goods, Global Commodity Risk Management and the Global Marketing Category/Brand teams. UAPL finance has the vision to be a Future-Fit Customer-Centric finance function that is at the heart of decision making and playing a co-pilot role in adding, creating, and preserving value for Unilever.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Accounts Receivables Lead to join our finance team. The role will be based in India and will report to the Finance manager within the UAPL controllers team. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the Accounts Receivable operations, ensuring timely and accurate accounting of receivables and overdue from customers, and maintaining strong relationships with business stakeholders. This role requires strong leadership skills, excellent organizational abilities, and a deep understanding of accounting principles. The successful candidate will be supported by a third-party Accounts Receivables operations team and will also be in regular contact with Unilever s Global Order to Cash team on strategic initiatives and ongoing policy updates and compliance.

This is your opportunity to really develop your financial accounting, reporting and control skills as well as providing objectivity and challenge to the business. Working in a Financial Controlling Team will give you broad exposure to the rest of the business as you build partnerships with the business as a trusted change agent, actively driving the cash agenda for the business.

Main Accountabilities

Operations:

• Oversee the entire accounts receivables process operated by third party service provider, providing guidance and training as needed.

• Ensure timely and accurate communication by 3P service provider to sales teams and customers regarding outstanding balances, credit notes and resolve any billing disputes.

• Ensure and assist with the month, quarter and Year end period closing processes.

• Align, implement and ensure compliance with Unilever s policies and global process models.

• Partner the colleagues from various Business Models to drive improvements and simplification of AR processes and tools.

Reporting and analytics

• Ensure accurate and timely internal reporting for both statutory and internal reporting of the Accounts receivables.

• Lead and review receivables forecasting for UAPL across the short, medium and long-term and planning relevant funding requirements.

Governance and Compliance

• Lead monthly reviews with third party service providers to ensure quality delivery of outsourced operations and to progress on the agreed continuous improvement initiatives to deliver best in class process

• Maintain policies and procedures that impose an adequate level of control over Accounts receivables operations.

• Responsible for the compliance to controls related to Accounts receivables and Order to Cash as listed in the Global Financial Control framework (GFCF) and the simplification of the actual operation of controls.

• Responsible for liaising with audit teams on OCA, SOX, Corporate and external audits for all AR areas.

Future fitting and digitalizing AP

• Streamline and continuously improve to simplify the AR processes, proactively identifying and closing gaps and increasing efficiency. Collaborate with other departments to resolve discrepancies and reduce Overdues.

• Lead or be involved in Global projects affecting AR activities.

• Support and lead the digitalizing initiatives in the Accounts Receivables and Order to Cash domain.

Candidate Profile:

Responsible for Accounts Receivables operations and governance, the candidate must possess the necessary accounting qualifications and past exposure to Accounts Receivables operations and is expected to have 5 years+ of holistic experience in different aspects of Finance and Accounting . The candidate must possess strong quantitative abilities and excellent written and oral communication skills. They are strategic, analytical thinkers who are driven by results and can innovate and develop creative financial solutions.

Experience Required:

• Prior experience in Accounts Receivables is key

• Working knowledge of SAP and experienced in working in an SAP environment.

• Additional experience in Compliance/Audit roles is beneficial.

• Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Excel (complex formulas, power pivots, visualizations, etc).

• Experience dealing with multiple currencies and exchange rates

Soft Skills

• A high degree of integrity, personal self-discipline and a strong work ethic.

• Strong communication skills and ability to respond and deliver under pressure

• Must be a team player with a positive attitude and open mind.

• Ability to build effective working relationships and communicate at all levels within the organization