Munich Re is the world’s largest reinsurer and a leading provider of reinsurance solutions. We are currently seeking a driven, proactive and motivated Financial Reporting Specialist to join our team in Japan. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, Japan (CFO), this role is well suited for someone who is eager to develop their finance expertise and take on broader responsibilities over time. As a Financial Reporting Specialist, you will lead accurate and timely accounting and reporting for Munich Re, Japan Branch. This role covers Regulatory, Tax and Group reporting in close coordination with internal stakeholders within Japan, the APAC region and in Munich. This role also requires strong analytical skills, ownership, proactiveness, attention to detail, and a structured, hands-on approach, as well as the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a dynamic environment.
Your Role
The Financial Reporting Specialist will contribute to a range of activities, including but not limited to the following:
1. Financial, Regulatory & Tax Reporting
- Review quarterly and annual IFRS reporting to the Group, ensuring compliance with Group accounting policies, IFRS requirements, and reporting deadlines.
- Prepare and submit regulatory reports and statutory filings to the Financial Services Agency (FSA), including annual and ad-hoc reporting requirements.
- Prepare and analyze financial information, reconciliations, and supporting schedules for both Group and regulatory reporting purposes.
- Lead tax reporting and filing activities for Munich Re Japan Branch, including tax provisions, corporate tax returns, tax reconciliations, and interactions with external tax advisors and tax authorities.
- Monitor reporting requirements and proactively coordinate deliverables with internal stakeholders to ensure completeness, accuracy, and timely submission.
2. Financial Analysis & Controls
- Perform analytical reviews of financial results, balance sheet movements, and key business drivers.
- Investigate and explain significant variances between actual, budget, forecast, and prior-year results.
- Ensure consistency and integrity of financial data across IFRS, JGAAP, and regulatory reporting frameworks.
- Maintain robust documentation, controls, and audit trails supporting reported figures.
3. Stakeholder Management
- Respond to financial and regulatory information requests from Group Finance, Regional Finance, internal auditors, local regulator and tax authorities.
- Support internal audits by preparing documentation, analyses, and management responses.
- Contribute to a positive and high-performing team culture through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.
- Display professionalism, resilience, and sound judgement when dealing with challenging stakeholders or competing priorities
- Take ownership of complex issues and proactively coordinate resolution across multiple stakeholders
4. Process Improvement & Projects
- Identify opportunities to enhance reporting efficiency, controls, and data quality through automation and process improvements.
- Contribute to finance transformation initiatives, system enhancements, and implementation of new accounting or regulatory requirements.
- Support projects related to IFRS reporting, capital management, regulatory developments, and finance governance
5. Closing & Accounting Support
- Lead quarterly and annual financial close activities, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial records and reported results.
- Ensure accurate accounting treatment under JGAAP, IFRS, and internal Group accounting guidelines.
- Support accounting assessments arising from new business transactions, regulatory developments, and changes to Group requirements.
Your Profile:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- Minimum of 5+ years of relevant finance or accounting experience, ideally in an international or high-growth environment and preferably within insurance or reinsurance
- Strong understanding of Japanese insurance regulations and their financial reporting and accounting implications, including the requirements and impact of the new ESR regime
- Strong foundation in accounting principles and financial reporting; experience with IFRS and reinsurance accounting is highly desirable
- Working knowledge of Japanese tax requirements, with the ability to lead tax‑related activities
- Strong analytical skills with sound accounting judgement and attention to detail
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and Japanese
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders across various departments
- Proactive and reliable team player with a structured and hands-on approach to work
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse personalities and navigate challenging situations in a professional and constructive manner
- Proactive, resilient, and solutions-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability
- Willingness to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges in a dynamic work environment
- Experience working with ERP, preferably SAP
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suites
- Interest in, or openness to using AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and automate manual processes
- CPA, CMA, ACCA or equivalent qualifications preferred but not required
- Aspiration to grow into a broader finance role with increased responsibility
At Munich Re, we embrace, and value, the interaction of diverse backgrounds, experience, perspectives and thought. This interaction is the foundation of our open culture, spirit of partnership, of how our teams are built and cultivated, and of how we are supported and developed. And at the centre of this interaction is each of us.