Finance Manager – Systems, Process and Audit – AFSS

Job description / Role

Toyota, Honda, Marks & Spencers, Ikea, Toys R Us and Dubai Festival City are just some of the amazing stable of world renowned brands managed by the Al Futtaim Group of Companies. Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim is one of the most progressive regional business houses in the Gulf region.  Today, Al-Futtaim operates through more than 65 companies in sectors as diverse as commerce, industry and services, and employs in excess of 20,000 people across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Pakistan, Singapore and Europe.

Automotive Finance Shared Services is a department under Automotive handling the back office functions related to accounting for Automotive. AFSS handles Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payables, General Ledger Accounting, Reconciliations, Sales Accounting and annual closing and audits for the Automotive Division of Al-Futtaim.

Reports to: Assistant GM - AFSS
Direct Reports: Accountant Managers; Dotted line reports - Sales Control and Branch Accountants
Department: AFSS
Location: AFSS (DFC)
Grade: H

JOB PURPOSE:
As a member of AFSS / Automotive team - to support the Assistant GM  and GM AFSS in
(a) Facilitate system and process expertise for new Business initiatives and its integration to financial books.
(b) Develop process guidelines and procedures for AFSS  and business teams
(c) Review and implement Internal Audit recommendations in AFSS and business operations.

JOB DIMENSIONS:

Direct Reports: 6
Total Reports: 6 + All Automotive Cashiers (199), Branch Accountants (65) and Branch Accounts Managers (4) - all indirect dotted line reporting
Financial Dimensions:
No of Automotive Business: 10 +
System Platform  : SAP IS Retail, SAP IS Auto; Carpro; fastrack, Volvo rentals
Number of Branches: 234 Branches

DESCRIPTION:

Process Specialisation and Support

* Develop and support process expertise on automotive business processes encompassing New units / Used Units / Parts and Service Operations.
* Develop and support functional expertise on Inbound, Outbound, Leasing and Rental solutions and its integration with FICO and COPA.

System Development and Implementation

* To facilitate requirements planning and system blue prints for new Initiatives from AFSS and Automotive business units.
* To enable testing and Implementation of new system solutions with coordination with AFSS teams/ EIT and business.
* Validate and maintain master authorisation profiles to ensure system controls and SOD compliance.

Policy, Standard Operating procedures and Guidelines

* Support GM AFSS in development and continuous review of Financial policies and Standard Operating procedures and its consistent applicability
* Prepare and maintain process guidelines for AFSS teams and automotive business operations.

Branch Audit and Health check

* Continuous review of front-end business operations through structured branch visits in co-ordination with AFSS teams and identify areas of improvements for corrective action.
* Validate consistency in Standard operating procedures across all automotive sales offices.
* Build early warning reports in BI for ensuring Financial control .

Internal Audit review and recommendations

* Review Internal audit reports and ensure implement ion of audit recommendations by AFSS and business operations.
* Ensure best practices are rolled out to all the locations / Showrooms.

Training

* Ensure on-going training of Cashiers / Branch Accountants Branch Accounts Managers on all issues related to  Accounting and related controls
* Devise and implement a training program for training of new joiners (Cashiers / Branch Accountants/ BAMs.)

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

* Process expertise and internal controls.
* Sharing of best practice across all business units.
* Robust and consistent automotive process across all business units and its integration with financial books.
* Notify policy and procedural issues and recommend corrective actions to AFSS and business management.
* Advise / liaise with BUFM/ AFSS/ EIT on system issues / varied requirements impacting the front-end.
* Periodical audit and surprise check per pre-determined objectives
* Exception reporting and ensuring compliance.
* Review and report implementation status within timelines defined by Group Internal Audit.
* Continuous branch visits and compliance of audit recommendations.
* Training Programs for various employee categories is developed and approved.
* Periodic training to all concerned staff per pre-determined objectives.

JOB CONTEXT:

* Job holder is required to Support GM - AFSS /AGM - Business support and control and co-ordinates with BUFMs, Automotive business General managers and Location Managers.
* He should constantly interact other AFSS teams in ensuing smarter process and Audit compliance.
* Furthermore he closely interacts with EIT team in implementation of process and integration.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge: Chartered Accountant or similar qualification.

Minimum Experience: 5-7 years relevant experience in Automotive or Retail business environment.

Job-Specific Skills: Analytical, Process oriented, good communication skills, exposure to SAP ERP - SAP FI/CO Certified or super user with knowledge in SAP inbound and outbound process. The job holder should have strong documentation ability in development of policies and procedures.

Behavioural Competencies: Should be able to plan and prioritize tasks, persuasive skills, Kaizan attitude, Self starter; and a strong team player.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.