Accounting Manager (AP)

About ESR

ESR is a leading Asia-Pacific real asset owner and manager focused on logistics real estate, data centres, and energy infrastructure that power the digital economy and supply chain for investors, customers, and communities. Through our fully integrated real asset fund management and development platform, we strive to create value and growth opportunities for our global portfolio of investors. We offer our customers modern space solutions to realise their ambitions across Australia and New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Greater China, Southeast Asia, and India, including a presence in Europe.

Role Overview

• The Accounting Manager is a Kuala Lumpur-based leadership role supporting ESR Australia & New Zealand, with a primary focus on Accounts Payable and operational delivery across the Kuala Lumpur finance team.

• Lead the Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable team based in Kuala Lumpur and provide day-to-day local leadership, coaching and coordination for the broader A&NZ finance team.

• Act as the key finance interface between the Kuala Lumpur team and A&NZ Finance leadership, building strong working relationships with the Head of Finance, Senior Finance Manager and other key A&NZ stakeholders.

• Play a hands-on role in establishing and embedding the Kuala Lumpur operating model, including training, controls, service standards, process improvement and effective collaboration with relevant ESR Group stakeholders.

Key Internal Relationships

• Head of Finance, A&NZ – alignment on service delivery, priorities, escalations and finance governance.

• Senior Finance Manager, A&NZ – day-to-day partnership across Accounts Payable, property accounting interfaces, issue resolution and team delivery.

• A&NZ Finance Managers and finance teams – coordination of workflows, approvals, reporting requirements and operational support.

• Kuala Lumpur finance team – direct leadership of the AP/AR team and local site coordination, coaching and support across the A&NZ finance team.

• ESR Group Finance and relevant Group employees – collaboration on Group requirements, controls, reporting, systems and cross-market matters.

• A&NZ business stakeholders – partnering with Property, Funds, Corporate and other functions to resolve queries, support business needs and enhance the payment process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Kuala Lumpur-based Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable team supporting A&NZ, allocating workloads and ensuring accurate and timely delivery of day-to-day activities.
• Run day-to-day Accounts Payable operations independently, with limited routine involvement from the Head of Finance or Senior Finance Manager, and establish and track appropriate service and team KPIs.

• Provide on-the-ground leadership and site coordination for the finance team in Kuala Lumpur, supporting effective communication, collaboration and consistent ways of working.
• Provide local people management and onsite support for the broader Kuala Lumpur Finance team, including property accountants, while technical accounting direction remains with the relevant A&NZ Finance Managers.
• Support recruitment and onboarding for the Kuala Lumpur Finance team; monitor office attendance and compliance with approved flexible-working requirements; and coordinate local team engagement activities and team events.

• Partner closely with the A&NZ Head of Finance and Senior Finance Manager to manage priorities, service delivery, operational issues and escalations, providing clear recommendations and timely follow-through.

• Lead the operational set-up and ongoing embedding of the Kuala Lumpur finance model, including training, knowledge transfer, process documentation and team capability development.

• Oversee invoice processing, payment preparation, vendor management and related AP/AR activities, ensuring transactions are complete, accurate, appropriately approved and delivered within agreed timeframes.

• Maintain strong financial controls and support compliance with relevant A&NZ and Group policies, statutory requirements, audit requirements and internal governance frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with Australian tax, statutory, GS007 and internal control requirements, and follow Australian Finance procedures.

• Build productive relationships with key A&NZ and Group stakeholders, proactively resolving queries and ensuring the Kuala Lumpur team understands business requirements and service expectations.

• Monitor team capacity, quality and delivery, identify operational risks or bottlenecks and implement practical solutions to maintain continuity and service standards.

• Drive process improvement, standardisation and automation opportunities across AP and offshore finance workflows, working with A&NZ and Group stakeholders to improve efficiency and control.
• Suggest and contribute to process improvements and key Finance initiatives by actively engaging with key Australian stakeholders across Property, Development, Funds and Corporate to enhance payment processes.

• Develop and coach team members, promote cross-training and knowledge sharing, and build the technical and stakeholder capability required for a sustainable offshore finance function.

• Support month-end, year-end and audit activities where AP or offshore finance inputs are required, coordinating deliverables between Kuala Lumpur, A&NZ and Group teams.
• Contribute to broader finance initiatives and ad hoc requirements as the Kuala Lumpur operating model evolves.

Requirements

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or a related discipline; professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, CPA, CA or equivalent is highly regarded.

• Demonstrated finance leadership experience, including managing an Accounts Payable, shared services or offshore finance team in a complex organisation.

• Strong knowledge of end-to-end accounts payable processes, payment controls, vendor management, reconciliations and finance operations.

• Proven people leadership capability, with experience coaching teams, allocating work, building capability and maintaining high standards of delivery.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to work directly with senior finance leaders and cross-functional stakeholders across different locations.

• Demonstrated ability to establish or improve finance processes, controls, documentation and service standards in a changing or evolving operating environment.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational capability, with a hands-on approach and the ability to manage competing priorities and escalations.

• High level of proficiency in Excel and finance systems, with an interest in automation, digital tools and continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Experience in real estate, property, funds management or another multi-entity environment.

• Experience working across Australia and Asia, or within a regional finance/shared services model.

• Experience with Yardi or similar ERP/property accounting systems.

• Experience using AI-enabled tools to improve finance workflows, documentation or data analysis.

Benefits

Grow with us – Career growth and learning

We believe our greatest strength lies in the growth and development of our team. From day one, we create an environment that builds confidence and lays the foundation for long-term success. Whether you’re launching your career or stepping into a leadership role, we provide the tools, learning opportunities, and personalised guidance to help you thrive.

More about career growth at ESR

Our values and purpose

Our values are the foundation of everything we do—shaping our performance, culture, and ambition. Our purpose is rooted in the pursuit of excellence across all areas of our business, with a focus on maintaining the highest standards of performance, accountability, and integrity.

When you join us, you commit to three core principles:

• We Do the Right Thing: Integrity is non-negotiable. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of accountability, ensuring that every financial decision and business move is ethical and transparent.
• We Win as One Team: Our culture thrives on collective success. We break down functional silos to ensure that our ambitions are met through seamless collaboration and mutual support.
• We Think Beyond the Present: We don’t just manage for the quarter; we build for the years to come. We challenge ourselves to look past immediate gains to secure long-term excellence and sustainable growth.

More about our values and purpose