Finance Controller
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AI Summary
The Finance Controller will design and manage internal financial controls, oversee payroll, and ensure statutory compliance in the Philippines. They will also lead the monthly financial close process, manage budgeting, and provide financial insights to the leadership team.
Company Overview
At LevelUp, we believe growth happens when people feel trusted, supported, and challenged. For more than seven years we’ve partnered with agencies, software vendors and website owners to provide world class outsourcing and offshore hiring services in a range of verticals, such as technical, operational, and back-office support. We hire curious problem-solvers, give them room to own outcomes, and back them with systems, support and a culture that makes learning part of the job. Join us and help businesses (and your career) level up.
Position Overview
We are looking for a hands-on Finance Controller to build and manage the financial control infrastructure of our business. This is a foundational hire - you will be coming into an environment where the bones of good financial management are in place, but where there is a clear opportunity to professionalise and systematise how we operate.
You will work directly with the CEO and will have broad ownership of everything from day-to-day accounting and payroll oversight to building out our reporting, compliance, and control frameworks. A core focus of this role is Philippines statutory compliance - BIR filings, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and payroll tax obligations - as well as oversight of our local payroll function. On the UK side, you will collaborate with our external UK accountant who handles HMRC, Companies House, VAT, and year-end matters. This is not a back-office role - we want someone who can translate financial rigour into business insight and help the leadership team make better decisions.
Financial Controls & Compliance
- Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive set of internal financial controls across payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management.
- Own the Philippines statutory compliance calendar, including BIR filings, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and local withholding taxes
- Liaise with our external UK accountant on UK compliance obligations (HMRC, Companies House, VAT, year-end)
- Manage vendor master file integrity and payment authorization workflows
Payroll Oversight
- Own the payroll reconciliation process across all entities
- Implement variance analysis to detect and flag anomalies before payment is made
- Ensure salary change authorisation processes are documented and followed
- Serve as the internal check on our Philippines payroll provider, verifying accuracy and compliance independently
Accounts Payable & Receivable
- Implement and manage invoice approval workflows and three-way matching processes
- Conduct regular accounts receivable aging reviews and follow up on overdue balances
- Maintain and enforce payment authorisation thresholds
- Define and document credit and collections policy
Reporting & Financial Close
- Own the monthly financial close process, targeting completion within 10–15 business days of month-end
- Produce accurate monthly financial statements: income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement
- Lead monthly budget-to-actual review and present variances with clear explanations
- Maintain balance sheet account reconciliations and journal entry controls
Cash & Banking
- Oversee monthly bank reconciliations across all accounts
- Maintain a 13-week rolling cash flow forecast
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with the CEO
- Create quarterly forecasts that reflect short-term business conditions
- Proactively flag financial risks and opportunities based on budget vs. actuals
Experience
- 5+ years in a finance controller, senior accountant, or equivalent role
- Proven experience building or formalising financial controls in a growing business
- Philippines CPA qualification (required)
- Deep knowledge of Philippines statutory requirements - BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and payroll tax obligations
- Experience working with or overseeing third-party payroll providers
- Exposure to international or multi-entity finance, particularly UK operations (nice to have)
- Experience working directly with a founder or CEO in a lean finance function (nice to have)
Skills & Knowledge
- Strong understanding of internal controls and segregation of duties
- Solid grasp of IFRS/PFRS accounting principles and financial statement preparation
- Experience with payroll reconciliation and variance analysis
- Comfortable designing and documenting financial controls and processes from scratch
- Proficiency with accounting software, e.g. Xero (preferred), QuickBooks, NetSuite
- Competent with Excel/Google Sheets for financial modelling and reporting
Personal Qualities
- Detail-oriented with a low tolerance for ambiguity or unexplained variances
- Self-directed - able to identify gaps and take initiative without being told
- Clear communicator who can explain financial concepts to non-finance colleagues
- Comfortable working in a lean, fast-moving environment where you may need to be both strategic and hands-on
- High integrity - this role carries significant financial trust
- Metro Manila, Philippines-based, fully remote
- Regular Philippines employment
- HMO and equipment provided
- Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9am - 6pm Philippines time
₱90,000 - ₱100,000 a month
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