Senior Financial Controller

Job description / Role

Our client is a highly prestigious multi-national professional services firm based in Dubai with a first rate global reputation and a well established Middle East business. They currently seek a senior finance professional to lead their finance function in the Middle East, reporting to the regional CFO who is based out of Europe.

The Role
The Controller acts as a financial advisor and business partner to the local Managing Director (MD) and collaborates closely with the regional CFO and controller team. The Controller assists the MD in establishing and achieving business and financial goals which meet the strategic and financial objectives.

The Controller directs the local finance staff and ensures internal controls and compliance with company policies and procedures, compliance with local legal and statutory requirements and generally accepted accounting standards. Responsibilities include superb execution of financial planning and analysis and accounting operations.

Responsibilities and Duties

- Assists the Managing Partner in establishing appropriate financial goals consistent with regional and global direction.
- Establishes early warning system to alert MD and RCFO in enough time that corrective actions can be taken to meet financial goals and objectives (incl. P/L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow/DSO goals).
- Ensures deployment of internal controls, accounting policies and procedures.
- Maintain Trade Licenses and filing requirement for satellite entities, currently Abu Dhabi, KSA, Qatar
- Liaise with local advisors ensuring compliance in all jurisdictions ( Legal &Tax)
- Assisting with Vendor registrations and Proposal requirements

Accounting
- Manage accounting operations incl. AP/T&E, gen. ledger, payroll, reporting
- Monthly close process, reconciliations, charges, journal entries and P&L
- Reporting, Forecast, contracts, invoices, collection/DSO, import-exports
- C/R ratios, client expenses
- Cash flow forecasting and changes to new/existing bank accounts
- Ensure proper tax compliance with authorities, filing of returns, tax treatment for compensation and benefit plans.
- Liaise with global tax group, legal treasury to resolve issues i.e. audits.
- Year-end close process incl. tax reporting packages needed for the US tax return filing
- Expense policy, expense claim policy exceptions, AP paylists
- Liaise with global legal group for contract issues, client issues and professional standards

FP/A, Management
- Preparation, review and presentation of reforecasts, annual operating plans and three year plans.
- Direct all aspects of financial planning and analysis including managing costs, monthly client profitability analysis, variance analysis and monthly billing/pricing model etc.
- Provide ad hoc analysis of client revenue upon request of Case Manager/Partner
- Support HR and payroll for employment contract issues, transfers, benefits, compensation, related with-holdings and monthly reporting
- Supervise Finance team, maintain strong working relationships with other administrative managers and establish credibility with the partner group.
- Complete additional projects and analyses as and when requested by office head or global finance
- Contribute to operations of office, including space planning, lease renewals and facilities

Requirements

Applicants must have the following:

- MUST be already based in the Middle East
- Ideally Arabic speaking
- 4 year University degree in accounting/finance
- 7-10 years post educational experience
- Experience in professional services industry preferred (Law Firm, Accounting Firm, Management Consulting Firm etc)
- Strong analytical , problem solving management, communication, both verbally and in writing and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint

About the Company

Mackenzie Jones Middle East has decades of recruitment expertise in various industry sectors. Along with a deep understanding of key market sectors and regions, we never forget to treat clients, companies and candidates as individuals who have unique needs.

So we always listen, constantly learn, occasionally challenge and frequently advise. Its all part of a service renowned for its courtesy, consideration and dedication. Based in Dubai since 2006, our office covers the GCC and Levant countries and with the right regional expertise, we are the leading specialists.

Were growing rapidly because people appreciate our honesty, commitment and results.