Accountant

Senior Accountant
Japan
Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 18:00
Hybrid
 

Intro

The Senior Accountant is responsible for the delivery of accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, payment administration and related corporate services to CSC Japan's portfolio of domestic and international corporate clients.

The role requires strong technical accounting knowledge, practical experience with Japanese statutory reporting and tax compliance, and the ability to manage client relationships while working closely with internal and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will act as a senior member of the Japan Corporate Services team, supporting operational excellence, mentoring less experienced team members, and contributing to the continued growth of CSC's business in Japan.

This is a corporate services accounting role and is not a dedicated Fund or SPC accountant position. The focus is on corporate clients. However, the successful candidate must be able to flex and provide temporary support to CSC's developing Fund and SPC business when required, particularly during its early growth stage. This support may include file preparation, review of accounting work, assistance during peak periods and onboarding support for new engagements.

Some of the things you’ll be doing:

Corporate Client Accounting

Manage a portfolio of Japanese and international corporate clients, including responsibility for:

•           Bookkeeping and maintenance of accounting records.

•           Monthly, quarterly and annual financial close processes.

•           Preparation and review of management accounts.

•           Preparation of statutory financial statements.

•           General ledger reconciliations and balance sheet reviews.

•           Resolution of accounting queries and technical issues.

•           Financial reporting under Japan GAAP, IFRS and other applicable reporting frameworks.

•           Coordination with clients regarding accounting matters and reporting requirements.

Tax Compliance and Regulatory Reporting

Coordinate and support:

•           Japanese corporate tax returns.

•           Consumption tax filings.

•           Fixed asset tax returns.

•           Inhabitants tax filings.

•           Withholding tax compliance.

•           Other statutory filings and reporting obligations.

Responsibilities include:

•           Liaison with external tax advisors.

•           Coordination of filing deadlines.

•           Preparation and review of supporting schedules.

•           Collection and validation of information required for tax filings.

•           Responding to tax-related client queries.

Banking and Payment Administration

•           Prepare and coordinate client payment instructions.

•           Support online banking administration.

•           Process vendor and service provider payments.

•           Maintain payment approval documentation.

•           Coordinate with banks regarding account administration matters.

•           Assist with account openings, changes to authorised signatories and banking maintenance activities.

Corporate Compliance and Administrative Support

•           Support corporate governance and statutory compliance requirements.

•           Maintain client records and documentation.

•           Assist with annual compliance obligations.

•           Coordinate with legal advisers, tax advisers and other professional service providers.

•           Support onboarding of new clients and implementation of new service engagements.

Internal Accounting and Operational Support

Support CSC Japan's internal finance and operational requirements, including:

•           Coordination with global shared service accounting teams.

•           Review of accounts payable invoices and supporting documentation.

•           Support for monthly and annual close activities.

•           Fixed asset administration.

•           Internal reporting and reconciliations.

•           Process improvement initiatives.

These responsibilities may vary from time to time depending upon business needs and team capacity.

Review and Team Support Responsibilities

As a senior member of the team, the successful candidate will:

•           Review accounting work prepared by junior team members where required.

•           Assist with training and knowledge sharing.

•           Provide guidance on accounting and tax matters.

•           Contribute to the development of operating procedures and best practices.

•           Support resource planning during periods of increased workload.

Fund and SPC Support (Secondary Responsibility)

From time to time, the Senior Accountant may be asked to provide temporary support to CSC's developing Fund and SPC business, particularly during the early stage of its growth. This may include:

•           File preparation for Fund and SPC engagements.

•           Review of accounting work prepared for Fund and SPC structures.

•           Assistance with year-end and quarter-end reporting.

•           Support for onboarding new engagements.

•           Temporary coverage during periods of peak workload.

This support is a secondary component of the role and is not its principal focus. The position remains a corporate services accounting role, but the successful candidate must be flexible and able to switch between corporate work and temporary Fund/SPC support as business needs evolve.
 

What technical skills, experience, and qualifications do you need?

Essential

•           Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or related discipline.

•           Minimum 5 years' accounting experience.

•           Experience preparing financial statements and statutory reporting.

•           Experience coordinating Japanese corporate tax and consumption tax compliance.

•           Strong Excel and ERP system skills.

•           Native-level Japanese.

•           Business-level English.

Preferred

•           8+ years' accounting experience.

•           Experience in a professional services, accounting firm, corporate services, trust company, outsourced accounting or financial services environment.

•           Experience managing client relationships directly.

•           Experience reviewing work prepared by junior staff.

•           JCCI Bookkeeping Level 2 or above.

•           Japanese CPA, US CPA, Tax Accountant (Zeirishi) or similar professional qualification.

Personal Attributes

•           Strong client service orientation.

•           High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

•           Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

•           Strong verbal and written communication skills.

•           Practical and solutions-oriented approach.

•           Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a small team.

•           Flexibility to support different service lines as business needs evolve, while maintaining the role’s primary focus on corporate clients.