Senior Manager, Finance

About this role

Job Description: Senior Manager, Finance
19 September 2026
Role snapshot
We are hiring a hands-on finance leader to run the full finance function of a growing event and creative company in Singapore.
Job title
Senior Manager, Finance
Company
A medium sized events and creative agency
Reports to
CEO
Direct reports
Finance Executive / Accounts Officer (if applicable)
Location
Singapore, office-based with 1 flex day a week
Employment type
Full-time, permanent
Start date
As soon as possible
About the role
You will be the single owner of finance in a business where every event is its own mini-P&L. With about 20+ people, there is no large financeteam to lean on, so you will be equally comfortable reviewing a month-end close, negotiating payment terms with a venue, and explaining a margin swing to the CEO.
We want someone who can keep the books clean and compliant, and who can also tell us which events and clients actually make money. You will build on what is already in place, tighten controls, and give leadership the visibility to make faster, better-informed decisions as the company grows.
We produce brand activations, corporate events, exhibitions, creative campaigns, etc. Revenue is project-based and can be lumpy, with deposits, milestone billings, freelancer and vendor payments, and occasional overseas work.
Key responsibilities
Accounting and financial reporting
• Oversee day-to-day accounting: accounts payable and receivable, bank and credit card reconciliations, accruals, prepayments and fixed assets.
• Own the monthly close and deliver management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) within an agreed timeline, with clear variance commentary.
• Prepare year-end financial statements under SFRS for Small Entities and liaise with external auditors, if audit is required.
• Manage revenue recognition and deferred income for deposits, milestone billings and multi-period projects.
Project and event financial management
• Work with producers and project leads to build event budgets and quotations, and ensure margins are priced in before a job is confirmed.
• Track actual vs budget by project, run post-event cost reviews, and report profitability by event, client and service line.
• Monitor work-in-progress, unbilled revenue, client deposits and outstanding receivables; drive timely invoicing and collections.
• Review vendor, venue, freelancer and talent contracts and payment terms from a financial and risk perspective.
Cash flow, budgeting and forecasting
• Manage weekly and monthly cashflow, including the timing gap between paying suppliers and receiving client payments.
• Lead the annual budget and periodic reforecasts; give leadership scenarios for pricing, hiring and investment decisions.
• Manage banking relationships, credit facilities, payment approvals and FX exposure on overseas events.
Tax, statutory and regulatory compliance
• Ensure timely and accurate GST filing (including handling of overseas supplies and imported services),corporate income tax (Estimated Chargeable Income and annual filing) and ACRA annual returns.
• Manage withholding tax and other tax considerations on payments to overseas vendors, performers and speakers.
• Coordinate with external tax agents, corporate secretary and auditors; keep the company ready for any IRAS or ACRA queries.
• Support grant claims and incentive schemes where relevant (for example, government support for SMEs and events).
Payroll, HR finance and people cost
• Oversee monthly payroll, CPF,SDL and other statutory contributions, claims and reimbursements, and year-endIR8A submissions (in-house or with a payroll provider).
• Track headcount cost, freelancer spend and work-pass related costs; support hiring budgets and remuneration benchmarking with HR / management.
Controls, systems and process improvement
• Design and maintain aright-sized control framework: approval limits, segregation of duties, expense policies and petty cash controls.
• Own the accounting system, Xero, and improve automation across billing, expense claims, procurement and reporting.
• Maintain finance policies and documentation so the function is not dependent on any one person.
Business partnering and leadership
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior team, with regular finance updates and KPI dashboards.
• Support strategic initiatives such as pricing, new service lines, fundraising, insurance and contract negotiations.
• Supervise and coach finance staff (if applicable) and manage external providers such as auditors, tax agents and payroll vendors.
• Contribute to HR and admin matters that touch finance, such as insurance renewals, leases, IT subscriptions and vendor management.
Requirements
The title and scope are calibrated to the candidate's experience. Both levels need the same core skills; the difference is depth, independence and strategic reach.
Senior Manager
Relevant experience
10–15 years, including 3+ years running finance end to end in an SME or agency
Scope
Owns finance strategy, controls and forecasting; advises the CEO as a peer
Independence
Sets the policies, systems and reporting model
Essential
• Degree in Accountancy, Finance or a related field; professional qualification (CA Singapore, ACCA, CPA Australia or equivalent) strongly preferred, or working towards it.
• Solid grounding in Singapore accounting standards, GST, corporate tax, CPF and ACRA requirements.
• Experience in a small or mid-sized business where you were hands-on across the full finance cycle, from bookkeeping to management reporting.
• Strong command of cloud accounting software Xero and advanced Excel; comfortable with budgeting, forecasting and cash flow models.
• Ability to explain financial results in plain language to non-finance colleagues and business owners.
• Sound judgement, discretion and integrity when handling sensitive financial and payroll information.
Preferred
• Experience in events, exhibitions, marketing, advertising, media, creative or other project-based industries, including job costing and WIP.
• Exposure to multi-currency transactions and cross-border payments.
• Experience with government grants, audits, banking facilities or fundraising.
• Familiarity with expense, procurement and invoicing tools, and with automating manual finance processes.
Candidates must be eligible to work in Singapore.
What will make you successful
• Hands-on and pragmatic: happy to roll up your sleeves on the detail as well as lead.
• Commercially curious: you ask what a number means for the business, and you enjoy the creative and fast-moving nature of events.
• A calm communicator who can say “no” or “not like this” to producers and directors, and do it constructively.
• Organised under pressure, especially around event deadlines, month-end and filing dates.
• A builder: you leave processes, documentation and systems better than you found them.
What we offer
• A senior seat with direct access to the CEO and real influence on how the company is run.
• Competitive salary, plus annual bonus (depending on company performance).
• Annual leave, medical benefits and training support.
• The chance to build the finance function of a growing creative and events company rather than maintain a fixed system.
• A collaborative, creative team culture.
How to apply
Send your resume, current and expected salary, and notice period to [email protected],with the subject line “Senior Finance Manager Application – [Your Name]”.Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Personal data will be used only for recruitment purposes, in line with the PDPA.