Manager - R2R | Finance Shared Service Center | Corporate Services

Job description / Role

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A"rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

We are currently seeking an experienced finance professional to join our Finance Shared Service Center team in the capacity of Manager - R2R

Overview of the role:

- As a member of FSSC R2R team - to support the SM / AGM on delivering.
- Robust, timely and accurate periodic book closing
- Lead internal / external audits and preparation of standalone and consolidated financial statements complying with IFRS, local laws and group timelines
- Conduct and lead meetings with various stakeholders
- Lead, coordinate and support new initiatives
- Review of GL schedules for Certification & Substantiation
- Support an Effective / efficient R2R framework covering Close, Certify & Compliance activities.
- Ensure financial records are correct and support external audit.
- Timely preparation and submission of Standard reporting / Management reports
- Regular Trial Balance review and Balance Sheet substantiation.
- Explore and support efficiency improvement initiatives by Identifying opportunities of Standardization & Automation of R2R processes

What you will do:

External Audit:
- Preparation of Financial Statements of multiple divisions within group timelines (standalone and consolidated)
- To coordinate external Audit of the Divisional entities by providing relevant explanations and schedules to Auditors and ensure smooth completion.
- Coordinate with other teams in FSSC and ensure that auditor's requirements are being provided in a timely and accurate manner

Monthly / Yearly Book Closing:

- To monitor and control closing of books monthly / yearly with other FSSC teams and ensure recognition of robust financials within the group timelines:
- Ensure books closing as per group policies and procedures
- Ensure the quality of financial books is maintained to ensure accurate books keeping, reduce accounting errors / classifications and internal / external audit observations
- Review provisions, accruals of expenses and amortization and validate the same
- Identify and facilitate accounting entries that require reclassification. Post reclassification entries, cost allocations and any other entries required as per standard checklist.
- Follow checklists and ensure compliance.
- Submit relevant accounting information/data monthly, to facilitate AFG consolidation using the Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC) tool.
- Work for continuous improvement in monthly closing activities to ensure quality financials for business units.

Balance Sheet substantiation / Trial Balance Reviews:
- Carry out detailed review of key accounts in Trial Balance and ensure substantiation of balances appearing against it.

Robust Record to Report process:
- Ensure robust R2R process through standardizing the accounting process, regular key account reconciliations,improved Fixed Asset management, improve month-end process & related reporting.

Monthly Standard Management Reports:
- To prepare quality monthly management reports as per agreed templates / formats with comments for review with the Finance Manager / AGM Finance.
- Support Business Finance Team in preparation of monthly management & Board packs by submitting standard reports on a timely basis.

General Ledger Schedules / reconciliations:
- Review GL schedules (reconciliations) monthly and actively participate in the automation initiatives
- Engage with relevant stakeholders to gather information to ensure meaningful reconciliation of GL accounts.
- Provide actionable insights through schedules to pre-empt issues and take timely action to drive resolution of issues.
- Review trends, identify patterns & opportunities to strengthen controls.
- Standardize schedules and follow a quality review process.
- Engage with business unit finance teams to discuss findings from GL schedules.
- Follow IFRS/IAS and AFG policies in the accounting process.

- IFRS / IAS extensive application knowledge
- Analytical as well as Process oriented
- Excellent communication skills
- Exposure to ERP. (Preferably SAP) and SAP BW/ BPC

What equips you for the role:
- Professional accounting qualification - CPA/CA/ACCA (or similar qualification).
- 5-7 years of well-rounded experience in the field of Financial Reporting and have worked in a Big 10 / large organization.

We're here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click "apply": Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.

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.