Finance Specialist – Payroll & Accounting

About the company
Our client is a globally renowned management consulting firm, recognized as one of the world's leading strategic advisors to major corporations, private equity firms, and organizations around the world.
With a global presence spanning numerous countries and a reputation for working with senior executives and some of the world's largest and most influential companies, the firm is particularly well known for its highly selective talent standards, international working environment, and strong professional development culture.
The Korea office is located in Jung-gu, Seoul, and the successful candidate will join a highly professional and international Finance organization supporting the firm's Korea operations.

Finance Specialist – Payroll
Location: Jung-gu, Seoul
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Finance Senior Manager
Employment Type: 2-Year Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Leave Replacement)
Start Date: ASAP

We are looking for a Finance Specialist with strong hands-on payroll experience to join the Finance team of a globally recognized professional services organization.
The position is responsible for the end-to-end management of payroll operations, including payroll processing, retirement pension administration, payroll accounting and month-end closing, taxation, social insurance, statutory reporting, and payroll-related compliance. The role will work closely with HR, regional/global Finance teams, employees, external payroll providers, tax advisors, and pension providers.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll professional who would like to develop their career within a highly international, prestigious, and intellectually demanding organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Payroll Operations

• Manage monthly payroll processing in collaboration with HR and the external payroll service provider.
• Review payroll inputs, compensation changes, bonuses, and other employee-related data to ensure accuracy.
• Identify and resolve payroll discrepancies prior to payroll processing.
• Handle payroll matters relating to expatriates, transferees, and other special employee cases.
• Manage payroll procedures for departing employees, including interim tax settlements and IRP documentation.
• Prepare and review monthly global payroll reports and related reporting requirements.
• Manage retirement pension administration, including contribution calculations, reporting, employee inquiries, and follow-up.
• Review and ensure accurate preparation and upload of payroll banking files.
• Serve as a key Finance contact for payroll-related matters, coordinating with employees, HR, Global/Regional Finance, payroll vendors, tax advisors, and pension providers.

2. Payroll Closing, Accounting & Reporting

• Manage monthly and year-end payroll closing activities.
• Prepare and review payroll journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Investigate and resolve payroll-related accounting discrepancies.
• Ensure payroll-related balances are accurately reconciled and appropriately documented.
• Prepare and monitor payroll cash-flow forecasts.
• Analyze and explain material variances.
• Maintain effective payroll controls and proactively identify potential accounting, control, and compliance risks.
• Coordinate international tax reporting packages and related payroll information.

3. Taxation & Statutory Compliance3. Taxation & Statutory Compliance

• Manage withholding tax and local income tax reporting.
• Review payroll tax calculations prepared by internal Finance staff and/or external service providers.
• Manage employee year-end tax settlement activities, including preparation, review, filing support, and employee communication.
• Manage statutory social insurance filings, including salary updates, maternity/parental leave, and employee status changes.
• Prepare and review U.S. W-2 reporting where applicable.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of statutory filings, government surveys, and other regulatory reporting.
• Monitor changes to Korean payroll, tax, retirement pension, and social insurance regulations.
• Coordinate with internal and external specialists to maintain ongoing regulatory compliance.

4. Process Improvement & Finance Projects

• Participate in Finance projects, system implementations, and process improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve payroll efficiency, data quality, internal controls, and operational processes.
• Support the Finance Senior Manager on complex payroll, tax, pension, and compliance matters.
• Provide analysis and recommendations on payroll-related issues.
• Develop and maintain payroll procedures, process documentation, and internal control guidelines.
• Contribute to effective knowledge transfer and business continuity within the Finance function.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or above.
• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant payroll experience, with substantial hands-on experience managing Korean payroll.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Korean payroll processes
  • Payroll taxation
  • Social insurance
  • Retirement pension
  • Korean statutory and regulatory requirements
• Experience working with external payroll service providers is preferred.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with payroll and accounting systems.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Ability to review and reconcile financial/payroll data accurately.

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, HR, Finance, external vendors, and international stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Business-level English communication skills are required due to the international working environment.

Hiring Process

1. Resume Screening – English resume
2. 1st Interview – Finance Team
3. 2nd Interview – HR
4. 3rd Interview – CFO