Assistant Controller – North Asia & Oceania

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As we continue growing, we know that behind our greatest achievements, there is an engaged team of curious learners. Role Purpose: Takeda's Global Finance CoE is looking for an Assistant Controller for the North Asia & Oceania cluster, based in our Kuala Lumpur office. You'll link our markets with the Global Finance CoE accounting teams and handle the preparation side of controllership for every legal entity in the cluster. The Cluster and Core Market Controllers review, approve and sign off. This is one of two Assistant Controller positions in Kuala Lumpur. Your peer covers South East Asia, and the two of you back each other up. Accountabilities: • Support month-end, quarter-end and year-end close, ensuring timely, complete and accurate general-ledger accounting for assigned Cluster/Core Market entities. • Prepare the balance sheet review (BSR) for assigned entities, including exception analysis and aged item follow-up, for review and approval by the Cluster/Core Market Controller. • Prepare balance sheet and P&L flux commentary and analysis for assigned entities, and respond to challenge from the Controller and central controlling teams. • Prepare, review and challenge journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, balance-sheet analyses and account ownership documentation; act as the single point of input for manual journal entries for the assigned scope. • Contribute to the preparation and professional review of IFRS and local GAAP financial statements, coordinating with the Cluster/Core Market Controller, local finance teams and external auditors. • Coordinate audit preparation and evidence collection for external, internal, SOX and tax audits, including preparation of PBC packs, in close collaboration with local management and specialist teams. • Execute assigned internal controls and collect control evidence to the methodology and standards set by the central controlling team; control approval remains with the designated control owner. • Support statutory reporting, management reporting, statistical reporting and tax/compliance requirements for assigned entities. • Prepare and review accounts receivable and bad-debt provisions, deferred revenue schedules and one-off revenue and AR transactions for Controller approval. • Ensure proper and timely handling of non-standard accounting matters, including impairments, fixed assets, provisions, legal disputes and bad-debt losses, escalating issues where required. • Act as the primary liaison between the assigned markets and Global Finance CoE teams, triaging and orchestrating resolution of issues across both organisations. • Partner with FP&A, cluster/country finance, commercial, supply chain and corporate functions to ensure consistent, reliable financial data and clear issue resolution. • Ensure compliance with group accounting policies, internal controls, SOX requirements and relevant accounting standards. • Support implementation of accounting policy changes, financial systems enhancements, control improvements and standardized ways of working. • Drive process improvement and adoption of automation and AI-enabled controls as part of the finance transformation. • Support the knowledge-transfer plan from the retained Controllers in the assigned markets, documenting processes and building operating capability in the new location. • Respond promptly to Cluster and Core Market queries during close, audit and other pressure periods. Our essential requirements: • A degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related field and have at least 5 years of experience in controllership, accounting, audit, general ledger, record-to-report or or financial controlling. • Professional accounting, audit or finance qualification (ACCA / CIMA / CPA, certified auditor or equivalent) preferred or in progress. • Demonstrated IFRS and local GAAP review capability — able to review and challenge centrally produced financial information, not only to prepare it. • Hands-on general ledger, month-end close and balance sheet review experience across multiple legal entities. • Experience preparing or supporting annual financial statements, statutory reporting, audit requests and management reporting. • Experience working with shared-service centers, Global Capability Centers or cross-border finance teams in a multinational environment. • Strong communication skills towards leadership and other stakeholders. • Willingness and ability to be based in Kuala Lumpur; candidates open to relocation within the region will be considered. Good to have: • Bahasa, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean or another North Asian language is a strong advantage given the markets supported. • Experience in pharmaceutical / healthcare or another regulated industry an advantage. • Deep understanding of core business processes such as financial accounting and reporting, end-to-end processes beyond finance, internal controls / SOX, and SAP or other financial systems. • Experience supporting a transition, knowledge-transfer or G…