ap accountant (korean speaking).

Key Responsibilities

1. Invoice and Payment Processing (Core AP Duties)

• Invoice Management: Receive, verify, and accurately process a high volume of supplier invoices into the accounting software, ensuring proper general ledger coding and cost center allocation for multiple companies.

• Verification and Approval: Ensure all invoices are verified against Purchase Orders (POs) and goods received notes, and obtain necessary approvals from budget holders before processing.

• Payment Execution: Process monthly, weekly, and ad-hoc payments to all suppliers, ensuring all payments are batched, reconciled, and executed on schedule.

• Record Keeping: Accurately record all financial transactions related to Accounts Payable, maintaining complete and organized documentation to support audit readiness and regulatory compliance.

2. Expense Management and Control

• Expense Monitoring: Monitor expenses and cost trends, supporting the finance team with budget tracking and expense control initiatives across the retail entities.

• Staff Claims & Reimbursements: Manage and process staff claims, travel reimbursements, and petty cash disbursements, ensuring adherence to the company's internal policies.

• Petty Cash Management: Maintain and reconcile the petty cash float, ensuring proper accountability for all transactions.

3. Reconciliation and Shared Services Support

• General Ledger (GL) Integrity: Perform monthly reconciliation of the Accounts Payable sub-ledger to the General Ledger, ensuring accuracy and identifying any discrepancies.

• Vendor Statements: Reconcile monthly supplier statements to internal AP records, investigating and resolving outstanding variances promptly.

• Shared Services Model: Efficiently handle the full set of accounts for multiple companies related to AP.

4. Stakeholder Liaison & Language Requirement

• Supplier Relations: Be the primary point of contact for supplier queries regarding payment status, invoice issues, and statement reconciliation.

• Korean Communication: Must effectively communicate (written and verbal) with key Korean suppliers and vendors to resolve complex payment and invoice discrepancies, ensuring smooth flow of critical goods and services.

• External Liaison: Liaise effectively with bankers and auditors for various financial, compliance, and payment-related matters.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years of dedicated experience in Accounts Payable, with a strong focus on high-volume invoice and payment processing, preferably within a Shared Services environment or a multi-entity retail/FMCG organization.

• Language: Fluency in Korean (reading, writing, and speaking) is mandatory. This is critical for liaising with major suppliers and understanding complex documentation.

• Technical Skills:

  • Proficiency in accounting software/ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Xero, or equivalent).

  • Competency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, for payment schedules and reconciliations.

• Core Competencies:

  • Exceptional organizational skills and high attention to detail.

  • Strong sense of urgency and ability to meet strict payment deadlines.

  • Excellent cross-cultural communication skills.