Carmen Chai, FCCA, C.A.(M)

Head of Finance

Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

About

A finance and operations leader with a proven track record in building and managing high-performing teams, driving business growth, and enhancing operational efficiency. Currently serving as Vice President, I have led the full setup and expansion of a business operation in Malaysia, overseeing all key functions from finance and HR to operations and compliance. Tasked with building the company from the ground up, I focus on ensuring operational excellence and aligning with the strategic goals of our headquarter. With a solid foundation in finance and accounting, I bring a wealth of experience in managing financial operations, enhancing processes, and driving organizational excellence. Prior to my current role, I served as a Senior Finance Manager in a multinational corporation, where I delivered measurable improvements in accounting processes and ensured compliance with international standards. My journey began with four years at Ernst & Young (EY) in the Diversified Industry division, where I honed my expertise as an external auditor, serving clients across industries including property development, retail, software development, oil & gas, marketing, and e-commerce. I am highly skilled in Microsoft Office, data analytics, financial accounting, and fostering teamwork. As a member of both the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), I am committed to upholding the highest standards of professional excellence in the finance industry.

Experience

  • Finance Manager at SES Energy
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

  • Vice President at YAMAGUCHI MFG MALAYSIA SDN BHD
    May 2024 - Sep 2025 · 1 yr 5 mos

    - Set up the factory from scratch - Applied business license and manufacturing license for the company - Made commercial efforts by approaching potential customers (cold calls, client visits etc.) - Liaising with various vendors relating to facilities set up, such as electricity supply, cooling tower and piping, compressed air, etc. - Involved in M&A project - In charge of the imports and exports of machineries, materials and products. Reviewed HS codes, applying exemption for sales tax and import duty. - In charge of the financing of the company, I.e. getting share capital and loan - Hired local team members, such as engineers, technicians, HSE, business development and business support team - In charge of production planning and daily review - In charge of the improvement of global accounting that includes companies in Japan, China and Indonesia

  • AirAsia (Hybrid)
    • Senior Finance Manager
      Apr 2022 - May 2024 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      - In charge of the finance and accounting for AirAsia.com, particularly flights and hotels cost centre - Part of the Capital A group finance team - Involved in preparation of quarterly Bursa announcement - In charge of the group annual audit report - Assisted with projects such as PN17 and SPAC listing - Review contracts especially for financial terms - In charge of entity's cash flow - In charge of entity's budgetary control

    • Finance Manager
      Jul 2021 - Apr 2022 · 10 mos

  • Finance Manager at Yoshinoya
    Jul 2019 - Apr 2021 · 1 yr 10 mos

    - Performed full set accounts - Performed accounts consolidation for the regional group that includes companies in Singapore, Indonesia - Improved the efficiency by changing the reporting and filing system - Assisted operation team in renewing the franchise license in overseas by liaising with embassies and MOFA

  • Audit Supervisor at EY
    Nov 2014 - Apr 2019 · 4 yrs 6 mos

    - Take ownership for delivery of high quality audit work - Supervise the execution of complex parts of an audit engagement - Demonstrate professional skepticism and compliance with risk management policies - Develop self and others though seeking and offering on the job coaching and audit engagement experiences - Build relationships across other EY service offerings and seek opportunities to work together - Build strong credibility through displaying good insight and business acumen, applying technical competence and engaging in relevant discussions with clients and engagement teams - Develop and maintain productive working relationships with audit clients - Direct field work, inform engagement leaders of audit engagement status and manage staff performance - Complete audit procedures and documentation for higher risk areas (eg. revenue, impairment, tax, etc.). - Contribute ideas/opinions to the audit teams - Involved in fraud investigation project - Improved way of performing audit by digitalising things