Bilingual English and Japanese Finance Manager

SUMMARY:

The Finance Manager is responsible for owning day-to-day finance, accounting, and tax operations for the company, while closely coordinating with overseas affiliates and external professional service providers. This role requires experience in both financial and management accounting, including budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, and management reporting.

This role plays a critical hands-on and strategic function, ensuring accurate financial operations, compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements, and transparent reporting to global stakeholders.

The Finance Manager will initially focus on operational execution and stabilization, while progressively assuming leadership in process improvement, financial governance, and organizational scaling. Once U.S. operations are stable, the scope may expand to support finance activities related to applicable U.K. operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Finance & Accounting Operations

• Manage day-to-day finance and accounting activities, including sales data management, billing support, collections coordination, and accounts receivable oversight
• Support invoicing and cash collection workflows, including transition and operation of new finance-related systems
• Maintain accurate financial records in coordination with external accounting firms

Monthly Close & Financial Reporting

• Prepare, organize, and validate data required for monthly and year-end closing
• Coordinate closely with external accounting firms to ensure timely and accurate financial close
• Review draft financial statements and identify variances, trends, and potential risks
• Regularly provide financial results, issues, and insights to leadership and global stakeholders, as needed

Tax & Compliance

• Coordinate with external tax advisors on U.S. compliance matters, including Sales Tax filings and business registrations
• Manage state-level Sales Tax data and ensure proper documentation and audit readiness
• Support ongoing operational management of transfer pricing documentation (local files)
• Monitor regulatory changes and proactively share risks and compliance concerns with stakeholders

Management Accounting, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Perform management accounting activities to support business and management decision-making
• Conduct budget vs. actual analysis and explain key variances
• Perform cost and profitability analysis and identify trends and areas requiring management attention
• Support annual budgeting and mid- to long-term financial planning processes
• Prepare financial analysis and materials for management review and strategic discussions
• Provide financial insights to support business planning and decision-making

Process Improvement & Finance Governance

• Identify operational inefficiencies, control gaps, and process risks within finance operations
• Collaborate with global leadership and external partners to improve finance structures, workflows, and controls
• Contribute to the design and documentation of finance policies and procedures
• Support scaling of finance operations in alignment with business growth

Cross-Functional & Administrative Support

• During the first year, support a broad range of hands-on tasks to gain a comprehensive understanding of U.S. business operations (initial phase)
• Assist with data organization, documentation, and finance-related administrative activities
• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, operations, and administration teams to ensure financial accuracy and operational alignment
• Support local office management, including mail collection, check deposits, etc. (initial phase)
• Perform other duties or tasks assigned by leadership as necessary

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position does not initially have direct supervisory responsibility but is expected to function as a key finance lead with strong cross-functional influence and future leadership potential.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Strong experience in financial accounting, including month-end and year-end closing
• Hands-on experience in management accounting, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost analysis
• Ability to analyze financial results and provide clear financial insights to management
• Experience working with ERP or other financial systems
• Experience coordinating with external accounting firms, tax advisors, auditors, or other professional service providers
• Strong communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively with both U.S. and overseas teams
• Ability to work independently and handle a broad range of hands-on responsibilities in a growing organization

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required. CPA or equivalent professional certification preferred.

EXPERIENCE and SKILLS

• 5+ years of experience in accounting, finance, or related roles, preferably in a multinational or growing organizations

• Strong knowledge of U.S. accounting practices, monthly close processes, and Sales Tax operations

• Experience working in or with external accounting and tax firms

• Ability to analyze financial data, identify issues, and propose practical solutions

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general financial systems; ERP or accounting software experience preferred

• High attention to detail with strong organizational and time management skills

• Fluent effective written and verbal communication skills in English and Japanese language

• Ability to work independently in a hands-on environment while collaborating with global teams

• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and discretion when handling confidential financial information

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional, open, and flat office environment that emphasizes collaboration, and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and related software systems.

This role is a full-time, in-person or Hybrid opportunity, located in the Company’s Southern California office(Irvine, CA). After training, there may be the opportunity to work remotely up to 1-2 days per week.

Typical hours are 8:30am-5:00pm; due to the need to collaborate globally, there will occasionally be the need to take calls before/after hours.

As such, you have general oversight of your schedule but are responsible for coordinating with the local and international teams for alignment and awareness.

TRAVEL

Occasional domestic, and more rarely international travel, may be required.