Description Work Arrangement This role is categorized as on-site. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to GM Japan Headquarter office in Tokyo, Japan full time.
The Role - General Motors is seeking a strategic, hands-on Manager, Controller to lead GM Japan controllership, including applicable GMOD Singapore and GMOD/ACD Japan activities. The role owns Japan's reporting and accounting integrity, partnering with leadership, GMIO Controllers, Global Business Services, Tax, Treasury, Legal, Operations, and other stakeholders. It combines technical judgment with operational leadership to deliver a strong close, controls, shared services, statutory compliance, and commercial guidance.
What You'll Do - Controllership and reporting - Own monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, including entries, analysis, variance review, reporting packages, and submissions to GM headquarters and regional stakeholders.
- Ensure accurate financial statements and disclosures under US GAAP, Japan GAAP, statutory requirements, and GM policy.
- Govern trial balances, reporting, close calendars, escalation paths, chart of accounts, cost centers, profit centers, and master data.
Controls, compliance, and audit - Own Japan's SOX/ICFR and risk-based non-SOX controls, including reconciliations, reports, end-user computing, entries, approvals, and documentation.
- Monitor aged items, control exceptions, and audit findings; lead remediation with Financial Assurance, Internal Audit, external auditors, and regional and corporate Controllers.
- Maintain operating procedures, process documentation, and business-continuity plans for retained and outsourced activities.
Tax and statutory leadership - Coordinate Japan corporate, consumption, local, and deferred tax activities with internal and external Tax partners.
- Oversee tax returns, tax reporting packages, statutory financial statements, transfer-pricing documentation, and the Japan local file process.
- Act as senior contact for auditors and authorities; translate local requirements into controls and ensure accurate, timely filings.
Business and commercial accounting - Provide accounting guidance for dealer programs, incentives, deposits, revenue deductions, commercial terms, logistics, and initiatives.
- Review contracts and transactions, document conclusions, obtain approvals, and escalate significant or non-standard matters to Technical Accounting, Controllers, Tax, Legal, or other specialists.
- Oversee accounting for vehicle and product sales and purchases, reserves, freight accruals, and other Japan activities; partner cross-functionally on assumptions, forecasts, contracts, and outcomes.
Balance sheet, cash, and assets - Lead balance-sheet governance, including reconciliations, intercompany balances, aged receivables, dealer balances and guarantees, and resolution of open items.
- Oversee fixed assets, depreciation and amortization, asset listings, and inventory and fixed-asset counts.
- Partner with Treasury and Finance leadership on cash forecasting, liquidity, intercompany funds transfers, related controls, and intercompany-loan accounting and tax requirements.
Shared services, systems, and transformation - Lead Global Business Services and provider relationships, with clear ownership, service expectations, escalation, and performance measures.
- Use SAP and GM reporting, consolidation, reconciliation, and workflow tools to improve data, close execution, controls, and transparency.
- Drive close acceleration, automation, standardization, analytics, system and process changes, migrations, and control redesign while protecting continuity and reducing manual effort.
Leadership and talent - Build and develop a high-performing Japan controllership team and future Finance talent; set expectations, coach team members, and foster collaboration and inclusion.
- Establish effective ways of working across Japan Finance, GMIO, Global Business Services, Tax, and global Controllers, influencing across functions and geographies.
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications) - Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
- Significant multinational controllership, accounting, financial reporting, or audit experience, with demonstrated leadership of close, financial statements, balance-sheet governance, audits, and controls.
- Strong knowledge of US GAAP and Japan GAAP or Japan statutory accounting and tax requirements.
- Experience with SAP, reporting, consolidation, reconciliation, workflow, or journal-entry platforms.
- Experience governing shared services or outsourced accounting, influencing stakeholders, and supporting commercial initiatives through technical accounting and contract review.
- Team leadership experience; professional fluency in Japanese and English; strong judgment, analytical, communication, escalation, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications) - CPA, USCPA, CA, Japan CPA, or equivalent certification.
- Automotive, mobility, manufacturing, distribution, or dealer-industry experience.
- Japan tax or statutory reporting and finance transformation, automation, accelerated close, migration, data governance, or analytics experience.
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