Regional Finance Controller

Job Description

Position Summary

The Regional Financial Controller is responsible for leading the financial management, governance, reporting, and compliance of the Group's operations across Thailand and Vietnam. The role oversees the finance functions of multiple schools and regional corporate entities, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting, regulatory compliance, and strategic financial support to business leaders.

Working closely with school leadership, regional management, and Group Finance, the Regional Financial Controller drives financial performance, standardization of processes, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with local statutory requirements and Group policies.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to, the following:

Financial Leadership

• Lead the finance function across Thailand and Vietnam, providing strategic financial guidance to regional and school leadership.
• Partner with business leaders to support commercial decision-making and long-term financial planning.
• Develop and implement finance strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Build a high-performing finance team through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.

Financial Reporting

• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Oversee preparation of management accounts, and financial analysis.
• Review financial results and provide meaningful commentary on performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with Group accounting policies and applicable accounting standards.
• Coordinate year-end financial statements and consolidation requirements.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process across all schools and corporate entities in collaboration with the FP&A function.
• Monitor financial performance against budget and recommend corrective actions where required.
• Support business cases, investment analysis, and capital expenditure planning in collaboration with Regional Finance Director.

Financial Control & Governance

• Maintain a strong internal control environment across all entities.
• Ensure compliance with Group financial policies, delegated authorities, and governance frameworks.
• Identify financial and operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Drive standardization of finance processes across the region in collaboration with Regional Finance Director.
• Oversee balance sheet integrity and regular reconciliation processes.

Statutory Compliance & Tax

• Ensure full compliance with local statutory reporting requirements in Thailand and Vietnam in collaboration with ISP regional tax department.
• Oversee corporate income tax, VAT, withholding tax, payroll tax, and other regulatory obligations.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory authorities.
• Coordinate statutory audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.

Cash Flow & Treasury

• Manage regional cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning.
• Monitor working capital performance.
• Oversee banking relationships and treasury activities.
• Ensure effective controls over payments, cash management, and foreign exchange exposures where applicable.

School Finance Oversight

• Provide financial oversight for all schools within the region.
• Support school principals and operational leaders with financial planning and performance management.
• Review enrolment trends, tuition revenue, staffing costs, and operational expenditure.
• Monitor financial KPIs to improve operational efficiency and profitability.

Regional Corporate Entity Management

• Oversee finance operations of regional corporate entities.
• Ensure appropriate cost allocation methodologies.
• Support intercompany transactions and reconciliations.
• Manage regional shared service financial activities where applicable.

Audit & Risk Management

• Lead external and internal audit processes.
• Implement recommendations arising from audits.
• Maintain appropriate financial documentation and control frameworks.
• Promote a culture of compliance and ethical financial management.

Process Improvement & Systems

• Identify opportunities to automate and improve finance processes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the finance function.
• Support implementation and enhancement of ERP systems and financial reporting tools.
• Promote data integrity and reporting accuracy.

People Leadership

• Lead finance teams across Thailand and Vietnam.
• Develop talent through coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
• Foster collaboration across schools and corporate functions.
• Promote accountability and continuous improvement.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timely completion of monthly financial reporting
• Forecast accuracy
• Budget adherence
• Audit outcomes with minimal findings
• Statutory compliance achieved with no material penalties
• Strong cash flow management
• Balance sheet integrity
• Improvement in finance process efficiency
• Delivery of cost optimization initiatives
• Employee engagement and development within the finance team

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Commercial acumen
• Strong analytical capability
• Effective communication and influencing skills
• Stakeholder management
• Change leadership
• Decision making under pressure
• Team development and coaching
• High integrity and accountability
• Continuous improvement mindset

Travel:
Regular travel between Thailand and Vietnam as required.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years employment history. 

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.