The Associate Finance & Compliance Manager is responsible for preparing financial statements, reports, and forecasts, as well as monitoring financial details to ensure compliance with audit, tax, contractual, statutory, and regulatory requirements. This role involves processing, coordinating, and monitoring guidelines, permits, clearances, and certifications needed by various departments, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Key responsibilities include managing tax audits, external audits, PEZA compliance, reportorial requirements, contract reviews and negotiations, records management, legal coordination, and overall tax compliance and due diligence for departments such as BIR, SEC, LGU, PEZA, BOI, BOC, and other government agencies.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist in the preparation of financial reports and supporting schedules with focus on Balance Sheet reconciliation and analysis.
- Extend support in the submission of financial package to the global office.
- Participate in the review of internal controls and company policies & procedures.
- Ensure internal processes comply with existing tax laws by monitoring local and national tax developments.
- Guide finance, accounting, and operational teams on compliance requirements and applicable tax criteria. Integrate tax requirements into financial reporting and planning.
- Identify tax planning opportunities and strategies to optimize the group's overall tax position.
- Advise management on compliance risks and tax liabilities related to corporate strategies, including emerging laws and trends.
- Review income tax returns, monitor tax-deductible expenses, and issue business permits and licenses as needed.
- Enhance internal tax audit capabilities to identify tax exposures and compliance risks before external audits.
- Maintain the company's tax database, update tax rates, and correct data errors to ensure accurate tax filings.
- Provide guidance on tax implications for business transactions and initiatives.
- Ensure proper recognition of tax-related accounts and application of withholding and final tax rates on business transactions.
- Reconcile tax liability accounts against monthly and year-to-date transactions during periodic close.
- Ensure timely and accurate preparation, filing, and payment of all required tax returns and other relevant taxes in accordance with local regulations.
- Prepare supporting documentation for all types of tax filings.
- Calculate Quarterly and Annual Corporate Income Tax (CIT).
- Secure business permits in a timely manner for each company and its registered branches or offices.
- Identify opportunities for tax savings and efficiencies.
Manage Statutory and Tax Audits:
- Ensure proper supporting documents and computations are in place for audits by BIR, LGU, and external auditors.
- Consult and liaise with external parties on tax matters (e.g., external auditors, tax consultants/counsel, regulatory agencies).
- Perform tax compliance reviews to anticipate BIR or LGU audits.
- Discuss with tax authorities to resolve tax payment issues and ensure timely submission of tax filings.
- Manage external audits by providing all necessary schedules, records, and documents to auditors.
- Review AJEs and draft audited financial statements.
- Address audit findings and implement corrective actions to enhance audit and tax-related internal controls.
Manage SEC & Legal Coordination:
- Consult and liaise with legal counsel, external parties on SEC and legal matters.
- Ensure SEC compliance, including GIS renewal.
Manage PEZA Compliance:
- Lead actions to maintain and adhere to PEZA, BOC and BOI compliance and reportorial requirements.
- Manage PEZA registration and subsequent compliance requests, such as project briefs for new or expansion projects, certification for incentives, permit renewals, and attend PEZA meetings as needed.
- Coordinate with Purchasing and IT Procurement Departments regarding purchases involving PEZA-regulated items/equipment
Qualifications:
- 5-10 years of experience as Finance Compliance Officer with focus on Audit, Tax & PEZA compliance or in a similar position.
- CPA, with at least 3 years audit experience in top auditing firms, preferred
- Knowledge of accounting principles, financial data, and analytics.
- Superior attention to detail to identify and correct risky practices.
- Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong grasp of risk mitigation practices and governance frameworks.
