Financial Controller - Retail - AFGRE

Job description / Role

Financial Controller - Retail - AFGRE - Qatar Festival City - Doha, Qatar

The purpose of this job is to ensure business operational and financial control across Retail portfolio of Doha Festival City in order to provide the required operational and strategic decision support. The Financial Controller will act as a Co-Pilot supporting the Retail portfolio heads in terms of analysis of market trends, control of financial performance, financial and management accounting, mapping and control of processes and procedures, liaison with internal and external audit, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting.

Reporting to the General Manager- Doha Festival City Mall, the Financial Controller is responsible for leading the portfolio accounting and finance function on a day-to-day basis and for steering the strategic direction of the unit. The ideal candidate would be commercially oriented, process-oriented, possess excellent staff & task managerial skills, natural leader, pay close attention to detail, ensure compliance with Laws and Policies and have analytical thinking skills. Additionally this role will require knowledge and experience of IFRS, real estate operations, Doha real estate laws and guidelines.

The Financial Controller will be responsible for the production of the Retail portfolio management accounts & financial reports, ERP system maintenance and monitoring, and ensure that internal controls, DOA, policies and procedures, and statutory laws and regulations are followed.

The Financial Controller will be the primary contact of Finance support with regards to dealings with the organisation portfolio partners, External and Internal Audit, and the various external stakeholders.

The Financial Controller will act as a Business Co Pilot assisting the Retail & Commercial Portfolio Head on the daily operations, decision making, strategic business planning, and monthly management meetings and business reviews.

The Financial Controller will also lead the Retail Finance Team in the monthly / yearly closing process (i.e., accrual entries, revenue recognition, and expense reporting and account reconciliation, production of management accounts and the various financial reports) and various periodical reporting requirements.

Responsibilities:
- Primary interface between Retail team, Finance team, Shared Services Finance, Group Finance, Internal, AFIM and External Audit, and internal management in managing Retail finance operations and financial reporting.
- Advise on Retail projects funding and establish control mechanism of cash flow. Lead coordination with Lenders on the management and operation of projects financing.
- Lead the Retail finance team to deliver accurate monthly accounting close and balance sheet integrity through close monitoring and analysis of accounts.
- Co-pilot the Financial strategic direction of the Retail portfolio through monthly review and variance reporting and improvement initiatives.
- Lead the process of completing the business plan, annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and monthly reporting as per the agreed assumptions, requirements and deadlines.
- Lead the finance improvement projects, particularly in relation to reporting automation, system implementation and process improvements
- Monitor the economy across the region with a focus on UAE Retail Market and advise the portfolio heads on updates, risks and opportunities. Analyse the Retail & Commercial portfolio strengths and weaknesses and provide recommendations as necessary.
- Develop reports and schedules as required for external and internal purposes including valuations, minority shareholder reports
- Lead the Retail & Commercial Finance team and manage the objectives and tasks of the unit in line with the overall department objectives and AFGRE values.
- Act as the point of contact with regards to External Audit assignments, managing deliverables with the various process stakeholders.

Requirements

- Post-graduate degree in commerce / accounting / finance. Knowledge of management reporting and accounting systems is necessary.
- Accounting / Finance qualification (CPA, CA, CMA, CFA, CIMA,..)
- Knowledge of ERP Financial Software is necessary; SAP expertise will be preferred.
- Real Estate related Certification from Dubai Real Estate Institute is preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of Finance and Accounting, out of which a minimum of 4 years in the Real Estate industry at a financial management position.
- Experience in Real Estate / Construction / Project Management industries will be preferred.

Job-Specific Skills:
- Well-versed in IAS / IFRS.
- Well-versed in preparation of Financial Statements.
- Knowledge of Dubai Real Estate Laws, Guidelines, and directives is a desired skill.

Behavioural Competencies:
- Positive attitude, with ability to manage expectations of the various stakeholders of the Retail & Commercial portfolio.
- Ability to lead portfolios with constant motivation towards the next level of success.
- Ability to manage time appropriately, communicate effectively with team members and business
- Ability to approach problem solving with simplicity and logic, and to present solutions on financial matters to non-finance professionals.
- Ability to think holistically and understand the chain impact of financial transactions on the overall business.
- Ability to work under pressure without losing control over tasks assigned.

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.