Financial Controller

Job description / Role

Job Description
As a Financial Controller you'll work directly with the CFO, heading up the day to day financial activities including; preparation of month end accounts, bank and balance sheet reconciliations, accruals and advance payments, audits and year end statutory accounts.

Basic Function:
The controller position is accountable for the general accounting operations of the University.

Duties include:
- Monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports (statutory format) in conjunction with the Management Accounting and Reporting Section,
- Maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records
- Enhance the accuracy of the company's reported financial results, and
- Ensure that reported results comply with international financial reporting standards (IPSAS Accrual Standards, UAE Government Accounting Standards, or as required) and Modified Cash Basis (UAE Ministry of Finance).

Principal Accountabilities:

Management
- Maintain/Revision of the documented system of accounting policies and procedures (guides financial decisions by reviewing and enforcing policies and procedures)
- Oversee the accounting operations of subsidiary activities, especially their control systems, transaction-processing operations, and policies and procedures.
- Protects assets by reviewing and enforcing internal controls.

Transactions
- Ensure that accounts payable are paid in a timely manner
- Ensure that all reasonable discounts are taken on accounts payable
- Ensure that accounts receivable are collected promptly
- Process payroll in a timely manner
- Ensure that monthly bank reconciliations are completed
- Ensure that required debt payments are made on a timely basis
- Monitor/Maintain the chart of accounts
- Monitor/Maintain an orderly accounting filing system
- Maintain a system of controls over accounting transactions
- VAT Tax filing and reconciliation (in conjunction with the CFO and Section Head)

Reporting
- Issue timely and complete statutory financial statements (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow)
- Regular Working Capital reporting
- Coordinate the preparation of the corporate annual report
- Provide for a system of management cost reports
- Provide financial analyses as needed

Compliance
- Coordinate the provision of information to external auditors for the annual audits
- Coordinate substantive data to meet internal audit requirements

Additional Accountabilities:

Support the CFO by:

- Filing of reports and coordination of scheduled audits with the State Audit Institution (SAI):
• Treasury and working capital management
• Achieves budget objectives by scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions

- Maintaining financial staff job results by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
- Coordination of staff development and other internal initiatives
- Complying with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; filing financial reports; advising management on needed actions.

Requirements

Minimum Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in accounting

Preferred Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in accounting / CPA, CA or equivalent

Expected Skills/Rank/Experience
- 10-15 years of progressively responsible professional experience for a major company or division of a large corporation
- CPE / Continuous Professional Education - to maintain certification
- Advanced Spreadsheet, Analytical, and Presentation
- Soft Skills training so as to facilitate People and Change Management
- UAE Regulatory Trainings, particularly VAT related
- English and Arabic fluency required
- Strong ERP and Spreadsheet skills.

About the Company

Founded in 1976 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAEU is a comprehensive, research-intensive university enrolling about 14,000 Emirati and international students. As the UAE’s flagship university, UAEU offers a full range of accredited, high-quality graduate and undergraduate programs through nine Colleges: Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Food and Agriculture; Humanities and Social Sciences; IT; Law; Medicine and Health Sciences; and Science. With a distinguished international faculty, state-of-the art new campus, and full range of student support services, UAEU offers a living-learning environment that is unmatched in the UAE.

As a research-intensive university of international stature, UAEU works with its partners in industry to provide research solutions to challenges faced by the nation, the region, and the world. The University has established research centers of strategic importance to the country and the region which are advancing knowledge in critical areas ranging from water resources to cancer treatments. UAEU is currently ranked the number one research university in the GCC, number two in the Arab World, and #370 globally.

UAEU’s academic programs have been developed in partnership with employers, so our graduates are in high demand. UAEU alumni hold key positions in industry, commerce, and government throughout the region. Our continuing investments in facilities, services, and staff ensure that UAEU will continue to serve as a model of innovation and excellence.