Financial and Tax Accountant

Work Setup: Hybrid

Location: Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

Summary:

The Financial Tax Accountant will specialize in General Accounting and Tax. He/She will be responsible for closing of the books for the assigned markets. This includes posting of journal entries, account reconciliation, month-end closing activities, financial statements analysis, audit support, and all general accounting responsibilities which are are not under the scope of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable. Part of the role, he/she will also be responsible on the tax filing process of the AEMEA Region, which includes 100% tax compliance on all tax requirements of the identified legal entities. The Financial & Tax Accountant is expected to perform based on the key result area of the process and meet/ exceed metrics set based on the Key Performance Indicator of the process.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

General Accounting and Month-End Closing (30%)

The Financial & Tax Accountant is responsible for closing the Hershey books of accounts in compliance with US GAAP, following the Hershey closing calendar. The accountant is responsible for ensuring accuracy, timeliness, completeness and appropriateness of approvals for all transactions executed as part of the closing process in compliance with the Journal Entry Policy. General accounting and month-end closing activities include:

• Month end entries, accruals, prepayment amortization and adjustments
• Key Account Reconciliation
• Intercompany Billing and Reconciliation
• Trade Spending (Direct Brand Expense) Transactions
• Fixed Assets Transactions

Audit Support
The Financial & Tax Accountant is responsible for the preparation and submission of documents required for internal or external audit of the Hershey books and work processes. The accountant, together with the RTR Supervisor is also responsible for timely communication and resolution of issues identified during any internal or external audit.

Account Analysis and Issues Resolution (10%)

The Financial & Tax Accountant is responsible for the comprehensive and timely preparation and certification of accounts using Hershey system, i.e. Blackline System. This includes reviewing and reconciling the balance sheet accounts, with reference to the Balance Sheet Policy, identifying issues, coordinating with the account owners, analyzing the root causes and determining the next steps that will lead ot the resolution of those issues. The Financial & Tax Accountant is also expected to work closely with internal Business Partners and provide support and analyses to address their accounting-related concerns.

Tax Accounting (30%)

Returns Filing and Administration

• Prepares tax return/declarations and supporting computations for reporting and ensure submission to the tax bureau.
• Ensures timely filing and payment of all tax returns and compliance with other administrative requirements set by the tax bureau.
• Ensures timely filing and payment of Goods and Service Tax (GST) for the identified Legal Entity. 

Tax Accounting and book-keeping functions 

• Computes the monthly and quarterly tax provisions for management reporting purposes.
• Prepares BU1 to BU3 tax packages and uploads for One Source.
• Ensures that book reconciles with the balances of the General Ledger accounts and tax returns being filed. Periodic account reconciliation is expected.

Statutory Compliance (20%)

• Provide support for local requirements for entities assigned.

• Responsible in preparation of assigned deliverables from HBP in relation to Statutory Compliances.

• Responsible in completing the Compliance Framework tracker and/ Corporate Secretarial checklist for the assigned legal entities in a timely manner.

All Others (10%)

• KPI Tracking and Reporting: Responsible for defining relevant KPIs for the processes. Apart from defining measures, the accountant is responsible for timely updates, reporting to customers, identifying and resolving issues that will lead to the improvement of KPIs.

• Continuous Process Improvement: Responsible for continous process improvement which includes but not limited to process documentation, identifying quick wins, and projects that will make the process more robust.

• Adhoc/Other Tasks: Others related ad hoc roles that may be assigned to the GL accountant with alignment with the Record to Report Manager of HBP Manila.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

Knowledge:

• BS Accountancy, or its equivalent
• Certified Public Accountant
• Knowledge in PH Taxation
• Proficient understanding of US GAAP and local GAAP
• Basic knowledge of SAP
• Knowledge in Microsoft Office (Excel, Powerpoint, Sharepoint)

Soft Skills:

• Strong Oral and Written Communication Skills
• Good Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Collaboration Skills
• Attention to Details
• Strong Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
• Works with minimum supervision
• Someone proactive
• Project Management Skills and ability to prioritize

Competencies:

Accounting and Financial Analysis Skills. Good grasp of US GAAP, statutory compliances and accounting implications of business decisions. 
 

Problem Solving. Detailed oriented; uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; effectively 
researches and probes all sources for answers; can see/recognize hidden problems and look beyond the obvious. 
 

Customer Focused and Results Oriented. Understands issues from the customers’ perspective; considers the impact of decisions, processes, services on the customer; demonstrates passion for providing excellent customer service; treats customers with respect and care and uses a variety of approaches to identify customer needs; conveys a sense of urgency to get things done; ensures that there are necessary resources available for resolution of escalated customer issues; monitors the quality resolution of customer issues.
 

Learning. Learns from personal successes and failures and those of others and applies learning to new situations; learns quickly when facing new problems; versatile and experiments to try to find solutions; open to change; enjoys the challenge of an unfamiliar task.
 

Listening and Interpersonal Skills. Practices attentive and active listening and has the patience to hear people out; can accurately restate the views of others even when he/she personally disagrees; relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and across the internal organization and externally; builds rapport quickly; develops constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse high-tension situations comfortably.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: 

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, in Accountancy or any relevant field

Experience:

• Must have at least 3 years of experience in end-to-end Accounting Process
• Basic background in Philippine Taxation or similar knowledge
• Certified Public Accountant candidates are highly preferred
• Handled multiple entities
• High/Good Communication Skills (expected to communicate to Higher Level of Management and Third Party)
• Amenable to a shifting schedule of morning shift (8:30 am to 5:30 pm)

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