Finance & Administrative Associate, Seoul
- Hiring from
- South Korea
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Posted
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Job Title Finance & Administrative Associate
Department Operations
Reports To Country Operations Director
Location Seoul, South Korea | Hybrid
Schedule Full-Time
Who We Are
Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with editorial and operational bureaus in Taipei, Bangkok, and Seoul. A congressionally funded grantee of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), RFA operates with full editorial independence.
Our mission is to provide accurate, uncensored news and information to people living in countries where a free press does not exist. We broadcast in nine languages and dialects — Mandarin, Cantonese, Tibetan, Uyghur, Burmese, Vietnamese, Lao, Khmer, and Korean — reaching audiences across China, North Korea, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and beyond via shortwave, satellite, and the internet. Our journalists work in some of the world’s most difficult media environments, often at considerable personal risk, filling a critical gap in access to truthful, timely news for millions of people who would otherwise have very little of it. That reality shapes everything about how we work and who we hire to lead this organization.
Job Summary
The Finance & Administrative Associate is an essential support role for the country office's day-to-day operations, responsible for financial administration, attendance records, procurement coordination, and general office administrative matters, ensuring the office runs smoothly and in an orderly manner every day.
This position works within a multinational media organization, collaborating with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds and maintaining regular contact with regional and headquarters teams. Reporting to the Country Operations Director, this position works closely with the HR Specialist or Associate, Finance, and IT as needed. Responsibilities cover daily bookkeeping, expense reimbursements, voucher preparation, payment processing, attendance records, and procurement administration, with all financial transactions executed in accordance with company authorization procedures.
This role is well suited for someone with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience who is detail-oriented, self-motivated, and enjoys working in a multicultural environment.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Administration and Payment Processing
This position is hybrid, with three days in-office and two days remote weekly. Work is sedentary, performed at a desk using standard office equipment, with occasional lifting up to 7 KG.
This position is ineligible for sponsorship by the company for any work authorization, applicant must possess existing work authorization to be considered for the position.
Department Operations
Reports To Country Operations Director
Location Seoul, South Korea | Hybrid
Schedule Full-Time
Who We Are
Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with editorial and operational bureaus in Taipei, Bangkok, and Seoul. A congressionally funded grantee of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), RFA operates with full editorial independence.
Our mission is to provide accurate, uncensored news and information to people living in countries where a free press does not exist. We broadcast in nine languages and dialects — Mandarin, Cantonese, Tibetan, Uyghur, Burmese, Vietnamese, Lao, Khmer, and Korean — reaching audiences across China, North Korea, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and beyond via shortwave, satellite, and the internet. Our journalists work in some of the world’s most difficult media environments, often at considerable personal risk, filling a critical gap in access to truthful, timely news for millions of people who would otherwise have very little of it. That reality shapes everything about how we work and who we hire to lead this organization.
Job Summary
The Finance & Administrative Associate is an essential support role for the country office's day-to-day operations, responsible for financial administration, attendance records, procurement coordination, and general office administrative matters, ensuring the office runs smoothly and in an orderly manner every day.
This position works within a multinational media organization, collaborating with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds and maintaining regular contact with regional and headquarters teams. Reporting to the Country Operations Director, this position works closely with the HR Specialist or Associate, Finance, and IT as needed. Responsibilities cover daily bookkeeping, expense reimbursements, voucher preparation, payment processing, attendance records, and procurement administration, with all financial transactions executed in accordance with company authorization procedures.
This role is well suited for someone with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience who is detail-oriented, self-motivated, and enjoys working in a multicultural environment.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Administration and Payment Processing
- Perform routine finance administration per company policies and authorization requirements basic bookkeeping, petty cash, expense reimbursements, payment documents, and vouchers. Payments are executed only after approval by the Country Operations Director or per company authorization procedures.
- Maintain receipts, vouchers, payment records, petty cash logs, and related files so records are complete and audit-ready.
- Prepare routine reports and reconciliation materials (bank records, petty cash balances, expenses, reimbursements).
- Provide records and reports to HQ Finance and external accountants or auditors as needed.
- Collect and maintain attendance, leave, and working-hours records on time. Produce regular reports and confirm manager sign-off on timesheets before submission.
- Screen records against company policy, labor law, and checklists, flagging irregularities for review. Final compliance decisions rest with the Country Operations Director or local HR Specialist.
- Provide HR-reviewed records to Finance as input for payroll calculation.
- Support the attendance and leave management system upload employee data, assist with configuration based on rules confirmed by the Country Operations Director (or local HR Specialist), test, assist users, and liaise with the vendor. Rules are subject to Regional HR review for local compliance.
- Support onboarding, employee changes, and offboarding by preparing HR documents and forms, maintaining records, and coordinating steps.
- Track probation end dates, contract renewals, work permit/visa expirations, and other HR deadlines, reminding the Country Operations Director and HR in advance.
- Schedule interviews, orientations, and training, and track training completion.
- Support logistics for events, meetings, and visiting HQ/regional staff (travel, accommodation, transport, schedules).
- Handle daily office operations mail and courier, document routing, meeting support, access cards, keys, and visitors.
- Maintain office supplies and stationery, and arrange replenishment per procedures.
- Support routine purchasing, equipment requests, receiving confirmation, and procurement records. Gather quotes for managerial approval.
- Maintain the asset register (furniture, IT equipment, fixed assets), including tagging and periodic counts shared with relevant parties.
- Coordinate with building management and vendors on maintenance and repairs log requests, follow up, and confirm completion.
- Keep fire safety equipment, first-aid supplies, and emergency contact lists current, and help organize drills.
- Assist the Country Operations Director with recurring service contracts (cleaning, security, pantry), tracking schedules, invoices, and renewals. Keep vendor contacts and agreements organized.
- Assist with office relocation, renovation, or reconfiguration through checklists, vendor coordination, and timeline tracking.
- Coordinate with IT and other support functions on equipment and administrative needs.
- Maintain lease records, registration documents, and government files, keeping them complete for renewals and official filings.
- Prepare and track documents for registrations, renewals, and filings, routing them for managerial approval.
- Track expiration dates for key documents and permits, and remind the Country Operations Director of required follow-ups.
- Assist with press credential applications and renewals for the Taipei / Seoul office, liaising with government authorities under the Director's direction.
- Follow company policies, procedures, and supervisor direction. Promptly escalate irregular, unclear, or out-of-scope matters to the Country Operations Director.
- Maintain systematic filing for easy retrieval, operational continuity, and audit readiness.
- Work closely with the Country Operations Director, local HR Specialist, Regional HR, Finance, IT, and other stakeholders.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, office administration, or a related field; or equivalent relevant work experience.
- Minimum of 2 years of full-time, paid experience in administration, financial administration, accounting support, or a related role; internship and part-time experience do not count toward this requirement.
- Hands-on experience with at least 2 of the following (a) bank account documentation or liaison, (b) employee or vendor reimbursement processing, (c) reconciliation support packages, (d) purchase order or vendor contract administration.
- Demonstrated experience maintaining attendance or leave records for a team of at least 5 staff, and preparing payroll supporting documents submitted to a finance or HR system on a recurring monthly or bi-weekly cycle.
- Demonstrated experience directly supporting at least one overseas, branch, or remote office through routine administrative coordination across time zones or jurisdictions — not limited to occasional communication.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and Outlook.
- Strong proficiency in Korean and English, with the ability to handle basic written and verbal communication in both languages.
- Strong attention to detail and effective records management; ability to handle sensitive financial, personnel, and office information with confidentiality and professional integrity.
- At least 1 year of qualifying experience in a media organization, NGO, international organization, or multinational company operating across 3 or more countries.
- Direct, hands-on experience completing or tracking at least 2 of the following government registration or licensing renewals, office lease execution or renewal, external regulatory or statutory submissions, and notarization.
- Accuracy & Reliability Detail-oriented and thorough; maintains clean, organized records that others can depend on.
- Service Mindset Responsive and helpful; takes satisfaction in making things run smoothly for the team.
- Adaptability Handles multiple tasks and shifting priorities without losing composure or missing deadlines.
- Integrity Manages sensitive financial and personnel information with discretion; knows when to act independently and when to escalate.
This position is hybrid, with three days in-office and two days remote weekly. Work is sedentary, performed at a desk using standard office equipment, with occasional lifting up to 7 KG.
This position is ineligible for sponsorship by the company for any work authorization, applicant must possess existing work authorization to be considered for the position.