Phek Lyn Kwong
Finance Operations Leader
Shah Alam
Summary
Strategic Finance and Operations Leader with extensive years of successful experience in process transformation, system optimization, and workforce development across global finance shared services. Proven expertise in driving RPA initiatives, redesigning finance processes, and leading cross-functional change. Recognized for enhancing operational efficiency, leadership and building future-ready talent strategies aligned with business goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
7
7
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Finance Talent Operations Leader
AP Finance Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
07.2017 - 04.2025
- Assessed and redesigned training and development processes for >500 employees across finance functions, improving internal mobility by 20% enabling successful role rotations across Finance Business Units to foster career growth and cost optimization saving $100K in hiring/training costs.
- Piloted IBM’s first global RPA Talent Hub in Kuala Lumpur, enabling robotic process automation to enhance efficiency.
- Recognized with Cash Award streamlining talent review automation and reducing manual processing time by 50% that improved workforce planning efficiency.
- Orchestrated cross-department engagement events with record participations of 530 employees, strengthening inter-functional collaboration and knowledge transfer.
- Coordinated the successful establishment of the APAC Treasury Center in Malaysia, managing stakeholder alignment, workforce readiness, and knowledge transfer to support end-to-end treasury operations.
- Managed full-cycle recruitment and workforce planning, ensuring timely placement of top finance talent, optimizing resource allocation and eliminating redundancies to align with strategic objectives.
Finance Manager
AP Finance Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
05.2015 - 07.2017
- Managed and coached a team of 20 through transparent performance processes, supporting career rotation and achieving zero attrition.
- Delivered 10% department-level productivity improvement through process simplification and automation.
- Supported department restructuring, optimized resource allocation, and conducted structured coaching aligned with department KPIs.
- Delivered process improvements and documentation updates to align with divisional reporting and compliance standards.
- Trained new and existing staff members in various financial procedures to prepare for job requirements.
Advisory Financial Analyst
AP Finance Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
05.2014 - 05.2015
- Analyzed financial results, provided variance insights, and supported CFOs with strategic planning insights.
- Collaborated in transformation projects to develop dashboards and communication materials for CFO cadence reviews.
- Consolidated financial data for annual budget planning and scenario modeling.
Hiring & Education/Finance Manager
AP Accounting Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
04.2012 - 10.2013
- Led hiring, developed center-wide onboarding and training strategy for 340 employees; reduced annualized APAC attrition from 19% to 15% through targeted hiring, career development, and engagement initiatives.
- Achieved full-year budget accuracy within 0.5% variance through proactive planning and resource management.
- Partnered with HR and finance leadership to develop workforce strategy and ensure job-role alignment.
- Represented IBM at career fairs and industry events to enhance talent branding and recruiting efforts.
Accounting Manager
AP Accounting Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
09.2010 - 03.2012
- Supervised a 15-person team managing journal entries, month-end close, and ledger accuracy.
- Standardized reconciliation and reporting processes, improving closing cycle time and audit readiness.
- Supported global financial reporting, variance analysis, and internal audit reviews.
- Championed adoption of accounting policies and tools to align with global financial controls.
Accounting Team Lead
AP Accounting Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
12.2007 - 08.2010
- Led the migration of IGS Balance Sheet operations role from the U.S. to Malaysia, ensuring 100% compliance and minimal disruption.
- Contributed to the Blue Harmony SAP pilot in China, supporting deployment and issue resolution.
- Streamlined expense reporting through process benchmarking and standardization across centers.
- Recognized through Bravo Award for high commitment during critical team downsizing and resource limitations.
Accounting Analyst
AP Accounting Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
03.2005 - 11.2007
- Reconciled over 50 balance sheet accounts and supported monthly ledger close activities.
- Performed intercompany/intracompany billings for accurate financial reporting to ensure transfer pricing and regulatory compliance.
- Earned Bravo Award for successful re-engineering effort to streamline expense operation processes with added discipline of efficiency/effectiveness.
- Earned Bravo Award for leading Project 88, successful migration of Japan’s APSC accounting operations to Malaysia, in line with IOT structural optimization.
Education
Bachelor of Business (BBus) - Accounting And Finance
University Technology Sydney (UTS)
Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
Finance and Accounting
Innovation and creativity
Analytical Thinking Skills
Interpersonal Communication Skills
Adaptability
Certification
Build your Own Chatbot - Level 1
Timeline
IBM watsonx Ochestrate Build an AI Assistant
05-2024
IBM Robotic Process Automation - Intermediate
05-2023
IBM Automation: Compass
04-2022
People Analytics - Essentials
09-2020
IBM Certified Manager
07-2019
IBM Agile Explorer
12-2018
Build your Own Chatbot - Level 1
06-2018
Finance Talent Operations Leader
AP Finance Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
07.2017 - 04.2025
Finance Manager
AP Finance Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
05.2015 - 07.2017
Advisory Financial Analyst
AP Finance Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
05.2014 - 05.2015
Hiring & Education/Finance Manager
AP Accounting Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
04.2012 - 10.2013
Accounting Manager
AP Accounting Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
09.2010 - 03.2012
Accounting Team Lead
AP Accounting Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
12.2007 - 08.2010
Accounting Analyst
AP Accounting Center, IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd
03.2005 - 11.2007
Bachelor of Business (BBus) - Accounting And Finance
University Technology Sydney (UTS)
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