TITLE:
Associate Finance Manager

CONTRACT DAYS:
Full-Year


POSITION SUMMARY:
The Associate Finance Manager is to ensure the integrity and efficiency of our school’s accounting operations. This hands-on managerial role is critical for maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring strict compliance with local regulations, and leading a team of accounting professionals. The Associate Finance Manager needs to be detail-oriented problem-solver with a strong grasp of Chinese accounting standards and a passion for process improvement.

SUPERVISED, EVALUATED BY & REPORTS TO:
Director of Finance

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Accounting Operations & Management:
• Oversee the entire accounting cycle, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, cash management, and bank reconciliations.
• Ensure all financial transactions are recorded accurately, completely, and in a timely manner.
• Manage the monthly and annual closing processes.
• Manage the school’s fixed asset register and depreciation schedules.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance:
• Prepare timely monthly and annual financial statements and management reports in accordance with Chinese Accounting Standards.
• Ensure strict compliance with all PRC tax regulations, including VAT, Corporate Income Tax, and Individual Income Tax (IIT), and manage the timely submission of all tax returns.
• Maintain a robust system of internal controls to safeguard the school’s assets.
• Liaise with external auditors, tax bureau, and other government authorities as required.
• Team Leadership & Process Improvement:
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team, fostering a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Allocate workloads and review the work of team members to ensure high-quality output.
• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline accounting procedures and enhance the use of the financial system (e.g., D365).
• Develop and update accounting policies and procedure manuals.
• Other Reasonable Duties as Assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CICPA) is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Prior experience in an international school or nonprofit/educational institution is a strong advantage.
• Solid, hands-on experience with Chinese Accounting Standards and PRC tax regulations is mandatory.
• Fluency in English is essential for reporting and communication in an international environment.
• High proficiency in accounting software (e.g., D365 or similar) and advanced skills in MS Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, etc.) is preferred.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• High level of integrity, ethics, and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Proactive and hands-on, with a strong sense of ownership.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• A patient and effective team leader and mentor.
• Adaptable and able to work effectively in a multicultural setting.

SAS BELIEVES:

• That each Employee makes a significant contribution to our success
• That contribution should not be limited to the assigned responsibilities.

Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties; qualification and job scope but not limit the employee or SAS to only the work identified. It is the expectation of the School that each employee will offer his /her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our organization.

How we see the world is how we experience the world
We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion enrich our community and create a sense of belonging that compels each of us to grow. Therefore, we commit to a journey of community growth that is grounded in best and sustainable practices rooted in our mission and core values. We seek individuals who are ready to contribute to such an environment.

Child Safeguarding at SAS
Shanghai American School, in keeping with our core values and vision statements, has a Child Safeguarding Policy that guides our faculty, staff, and families in matters related to the health, safety and care of children in attendance at our school. By accepting employment at SAS, all faculty and staff agree to work in partnership with the School and abide by the policies adopted by the SAS Board.

With this in mind,
• Applications will be thoroughly and rigorously screened in line with our strong commitment to all aspects of child protection and safeguarding.
• Shanghai American School reserves the right to withdraw an applicant’s candidacy at any time should information be forthcoming that may suggest the candidate is not suitable to progress in the process.
• Shanghai American School reserves the right to withdraw an applicant’s candidacy if current and former supervisor references are not provided.
• Hiring is contingent upon successful criminal background checks.

Applicants are asked to apply as early as possible, as Shanghai American School reserves the right to close the selection process at any time.