Job Title: Senior Finance Officer
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Employment type: Full time
Reports to: Deputy Director and Chief Representative
Posted: September 2025
Closed: Until filled
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
The University of Hong Kong (HKU), established in 1911, is the oldest institution of higher education in Hong Kong. As a leading public research university, it has earned a global reputation for excellence. Known as "Asia's Global University," HKU consistently ranks among the world's best, recently placing 11th in the QS World University Rankings.
With ten faculties offering a comprehensive range of programs, the university uses English as its primary medium of instruction, attracting top scholars and students from around the world. This fosters a vibrant and international academic environment. HKU is committed to making a significant global impact through pioneering research and interdisciplinary collaboration. It has educated numerous notable alumni and continues to be a key contributor to innovation and knowledge exchange in Asia and beyond, living up to its motto, "Sapientia et Virtus" (Wisdom and Virtue).
ABOUT HKUVN
The University of Hong Kong Representative Office in Vietnam (HKUVN), located in Ho Chi Minh City, serves as a strategic hub to strengthen ties between Vietnam, Hong Kong, and the global community. Established on July 27, 2022, the office operates on three foundational pillars: Education, Research, and Impact, aiming to foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange. A key focus is providing "glocal" (global + local) educational opportunities. The office facilitates prestigious, fully-funded scholarships for talented Vietnamese students to pursue master's degrees at the renowned HKU Business School. It also organizes immersion programs for HKU students in Vietnam and hosts various research workshops and seminars on current business and technology trends. By connecting with local universities and businesses, the HKU office is dedicated to nurturing talent and making a positive impact on Vietnam's growing economy and society.
Building on this strong foundation, the next strategic evolution is to transform the representative office into a regional training and policy Gateway for Southeast Asia and Greater China. This new Gateway will expand upon the current mission by directly delivering world-class executive education and establishing a formal think-tank for applied research. Most significantly, it will assume a new, vital role as a strategic bridge, actively fostering economic and academic collaboration between the dynamic economies of Southeast Asia and the Greater China market. This transformation will establish a permanent, high-impact hub for thought leadership, elite education, and cross-regional dialogue, cementing HKU's leadership in the region.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Finance Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring the financial integrity and operational efficiency of HKUVN. Reporting to the Chief Representative and the Deputy Director while working closely with HKU’s finance offices, the role is responsible for managing all aspects of accounting, budgeting, compliance, and financial reporting in accordance with both Vietnamese regulations and HKU’s internal standards. The position requires a high level of technical proficiency in local tax and accounting frameworks, along with strong analytical skills to support forecasting, variance analysis, and strategic planning. As the key financial liaison in-country, the Senior Finance Officer must also demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate independently while maintaining alignment with broader institutional objectives. This role is critical to maintaining transparency, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enabling data-driven decision-making at the local level.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Financial Operations:
● Oversee daily accounting transactions in accordance with Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS);
● Ensure accuracy of general ledger, payables, payroll, and tax filings;
● Manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes
2. Compliance & Reporting:
● Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual financial reports for internal and HQ use in English;
● Liaise with local authorities on tax, audit, and compliance matters;
● Ensure adherence to local regulatory, tax, and labor laws;
● Work with external auditors, tax agents, and legal advisors;
3. Budgeting & Forecasting:
● Prepare and monitor annual budgets and rolling forecasts/planning;
● Support strategic planning and funding projections;
4. Policy & Process Development:
● Develop and implement internal controls, accounting policies, and risk mitigation measures;
● Drive digitization or improvement of financial processes and reporting tools;
5. Advisory Role:
● Advise the Office on financial implications of operational decisions;
● Assist with project costing, donor reporting (if applicable), and fund allocation;
● Act as the finance liaison between Vietnam and HKU’s finance offices.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, or Business
● ACCA, CPA, or equivalent preferred
● 5+ years of experience in accounting or finance, including at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory role
● In-depth understanding of Vietnamese tax, labor, and financial regulations
● Experience in representative offices, NGOs, or foreign educational institutions is a strong plus
● Familiarity with international accounting standards is a plus.
2. Skills:
● English proficiency: Upper Intermediate or above
● Strong analytical and Excel skills; experience with accounting software is a plus (e.g., MISA, FAST, QuickBooks)
● High integrity, discretion, and ability to work independently
● Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
WHY JOIN US
● Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
● High visibility and influence in a growing, prestigious international organization.
● Room to experiment, learn, and help shape the marketing function from the ground up.
● Dynamic team, hybrid flexibility, and strong alignment with impact-driven work.
● State-of-the-art workplace right in the city centre.
● Healthy and proactive working environment.
● Annual leave, social insurance and health insurance as regulated by the local law and other welfare benefits.