Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

To lead the Tokyo Finance team based in Delhi (under the direct support model) and is responsible for all areas of finance operations for CC Tokyo office including: month end reporting, budgeting and forecasting, working capital support, treasury management, partner remuneration & payroll payments. Working closely with our external tax consultant for Japan tax filings and reporting & with Tokyo General Manager (GM) and partners on finance operations

In addition, as a senior member of the APAC finance team, to provide support and guidance to other APAC offices from time to time as required and to participate in global finance projects as the APAC representative. 

Key Responsibilities 

Group Reporting – with the support of our Delhi accounting team:

• To ensure timely completion and submission of monthly/quarterly/yearly accounts as per Group's closing timeline.
• To support and advise partners and Tokyo GM on financial matters & reporting ;
• To ensure that all required controls in operational process are adhered to and in compliance with Group's policies and procedures.

Cash Management

• To work closely with the billing team (based in HK) and Tokyo secretaries in monitoring and achieving monthly billing targets ensuring as tight as possible control over debtors and WIPs.
• To be able to explain material actual v target variances in billing & collection.   
• To manage treasury control, cash flow and funding requirements, monitoring  the service level of our payment provider and ensure timely settlement of all types of payments.

Annual Statutory Accounts & Audits

• To identify, understand and document management accounts to statutory accounts adjustments and prepare the annual financial statements in compliance with Japan GAAP to facilitate annual Japan tax filing.
• To be responsible for internal and statutory audits (when occurred) and be the primary contact point to manage and facilitate the process. Discuss and resolve audit queries and findings with the auditors. Ensure any internal audit recommendations are closed and/or implemented within 3 months following the audit.

Budget & Forecast

• To be responsible and arrange the annual budget and bi-annual forecast process including liaising with group & Delhi teams on group instructions and delivery and collaborating with GM and the relevant departments for information;
• To perform variance analysis - actual results compared to budget and provide monthly reports to partners and GM for cost management.

Tax, Control & Risk Mitigation

• To work with the external tax consultant in ensuring tax compliance eg income tax, consumption tax and withholding tax;
• To ensure compliance with transfer pricing rules & regulations according to the firm's global standards and all applicable local requirements;
• To ensure local policies are up to date and assist Tokyo GM in setting and updating office policies for practical adoption of group policies as necessary. 

Process Efficiency & Improvement

 Review the processes and challenge the status quo. Have a strong change mindset for more effective and efficient processes.

Supervisory

• Day to day supervision of a team of 2 accountants in Delhi
• Allocate responsibilities amongst the team and create an environment for professional development including responsibility for their annual appraisals.
• To monitor the quality of service and manage the relationship with the Delhi accounting team to optimise the support. 

Others, notably:

• To assist with ad hoc projects or analysis as assigned by Tokyo GM, Regional Finance Director and CFO;

To assist the Tokyo GM in training secretaries and lawyers on finance related topics and in providing finance induction to new joiners.

Skills, Experience, Specific Qualification

Bachelor degree (Accounting / Finance Management orientation preferred)

ACCA/CPA or equivalent qualification.  Knowledge of Japan GAAP and taxes will be highly regarded.   

Minimum 8-year experience, preferably within an international organization where frequent inter-office interactions is required.

Fluent in English is a must with very good writing skills. Japanese language will be a bonus.

You will be an experienced accounting and finance manager, ideally within a professional services environment, with hands-on financial controlling experiences. Any experience in and knowledge of Japan GAAP and taxes are highly regarded.

You have managed a team and preferably also worked with offshored service teams. 

This is very much a hands-on role offering the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the accounts process of a globally operating professional services firm.

Equal opportunities statement

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here