Role: Financial Controller
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Job type: Full time, Permanent – Hybrid


Why QS?


At QS, our culture fosters a flexible working environment that encourages our employees to own their career whilst personally and professionally thriving. We collaborate, respect, and support each other – and as a company, our values underpin these.


Our mission is to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, and to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to achieve that potential. We celebrate the diversity of our teams and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another and become stronger together, which enables us to achieve our goal.


At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape, full of exciting and interesting challenges where you can drive positive impact across the business.


As a Financial Controller, this is what you’ll be doing:


The role:


The role oversees statutory reporting, balance sheet governance, cash management and transfer pricing of multiple markets. It will suit an ambitious candidate with solid accounting skills in financial reporting and taxation, compliance and continuous process improvement; and the ability to get things done individually as well as lead others to accomplish challenging objectives.


Role responsibilities:

• Responsible for the full spectrum of finance functions which include revenue, statutory/management reporting, taxation, governance and compliance, and treasury in subsidiary companies in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Hong Kong.
• Management of a small team, willingness to work well across all levels to get the job done.
• Work with People team to review the payroll processing and reporting function of the relevant subsidiary companies.
• Complete month-end/ year-end financial close process and budget/ forecast in revenue recognition, commission computation and reconciliation in the student recruitment business.
• Liaise with auditors, tax advisors, company secretary and other statutory bodies related to finance function, and effectively resolve the matters in hand.
• Understand transfer pricing and proactively identify intercompany impact for the relevant entities.
• Take ownership to review, streamline, promote continuous improvements and document accounting policies and finance processes, working alongside other stakeholders to complete and update these at regular intervals.
• Effectively manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders through appropriate communication and collaboration.
• Any other additional duties and projects as required.

Key skills and experience:

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree with Professional Accountancy Qualification in ACCA / CPA / MICPA, etc.
• Solid experience in senior accounting roles, preferably with some external/ internal audit exposure.
• Life-long learner with up-to-date knowledge of accounting standards, regulations, and legal requirements to ensure compliance.
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English, Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia.
• Computer literate and knowledge in Microsoft Office tools with high competency in Excel, and apt in learning new IT tools/ applications.
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders globally at all levels.
• Responsible, proactive in problem-solving, independent and committed to delivering with integrity
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
• Able to multi-task with high attention to detail and open to work flexibly under tight deadlines and change focus as priorities evolve.
• Commitment to continuous self-development to ensure we continue to achieve our objectives.

So, who are we and what do we do?


QS is the world’s leading provider of services, analytics, insights, and intelligence to the global higher education sector - supporting university excellence across the world. Our student recruitment and enrolment solutions enable universities and business schools to connect with talented individuals seeking to further their academic progress and career development. Our portfolio of professional services includes consultancy, student mobility and academic partnerships management, and branding solutions. We publish highly visible and influential rankings of international universities, including the QS World University Rankings® which reaches a global audience of hundreds of millions of people.


Founded in 1990, our activities span across 50 countries, working with over 2000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions and over 12,000 employers.

Headquartered in London, QS has over 750 employees globally with offices in Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, and the USA. QS keeps growing organically, through acquisition and by recruiting top talent across key regions.


We take investing in our people very seriously.


As standard you will have:

• Competitive base salary
• Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
• 20 days annual leave, plus public holidays
• Generous maternity and paternity leave
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and Mi Care health
• A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to Linked In learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme
• Brand new breakout and relaxing spaces in office

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!


As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.


Equal opportunities


QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.