VP - Group Controller

- The VP Group Controller is responsible for leading all Finance activity that ensures compliance with statutory and regulatory reporting requirements, by being responsible for the operations, control and maintenance of the Group accounting / financial reporting systems / processes, delivering accurate financial and MIS results that reflect true and fair state of affairs

- VP - Group Controller plays a very critical role in adding value to the strategic direction of the organization by managing the budgeting processes, providing comprehensive analysis of the business performance and by devising and implementing tax and treasury strategies

- The role is also responsible for supporting the inorganic growth of the organization by providing strategic inputs in the M&A process not limited to IFRS advisory services and maintaining oversight on the accounting functions / financial performance of the various group companies to ensure maximization of returns on invested capital.

- This role places a cental part in the integration of new businesses into the group

Role Accountabilities:

- All accounting and reporting activities at the group level

- Preparation of financial and management reports including Audit completion

- IFRS advisory services

- Budgeting and Gap analysis

- Developing optimal tax framework

- Developing optimal treasury strategy

Role Responsibilities:

Compliance to Accounting Policies and Principles:

- Create and Maintain Group Financial Policies and Procedures

- Create and maintain Group Coding string (Chart of Accounts, entities, cost centers, projects etc.)

- Ensuring compliance with IFRS accounting principles and practices, Group Accounting Policy, operating procedures and other regulatory accounting guidelines.

- Developing the accounting policy / plans for all existing & new Products / Processes.

- Overseeing the card scheme reporting function and ensuring adherence to mandated guidelines

Delivery of Financial Statements:

- Reviewing and validating the monthly, quarterly and annual financials for stand-alone companies [including with local accounting standards] as well as for consolidated group

- Issuing flash results with commentary on major revenue and cost variances.

- Liasioning with the auditors to ensure smooth completion of the audit and engaging with senior management to resolve issues, if any

Implementation of Consolidation System:

- Participate in the RFP process and jointly recommend preferred choice

- Implement agreed system in UAE head office and all Subsidiaries

- Ensure current reporting is uninterrupted during implementation

- Create revised reporting packages incorporating kpis, graphics and trend analysis

- Incorporate newly acquired entities into consolidation system

- Develop a draft information memorandum and update periodically

Strategic Value addition to Organic business:

- Lead the five years and annual budget processes and ensure they are in line with the long term strategy for the business units / organization

- Monitoring performance of business segments and issuing periodic updates on major cost and revenue KPIs, progress on new projects etc.

- Financial evaluation of new proposals for launching new products, geographical expansion and cost savings

Supporting Inorganic growth:

- Working closely with relevant stakeholders to understand new M&A transactions, reviewing legal / DD documents and preparing accounting paper for each M&A deal.

- Initiating changes in NI consolidated GL to reflect correct accounting for each transaction and setting up Diner’s Egypt / UAE reporting in NI systems.

- Monitoring the financial performance of the subsidiaries and joint ventures on an ongoing basis.

Tax and Treasury Management:

- Continuous interaction with tax authorities [Sales / Corporate Tax]

- Understanding tax exposure in various countries of operations and working out the most optimal framework that minimizes tax exposure

- Finalizing and continuous monitoring of the Transfer Pricing policy

- Creation and maintenance of the Group Treasury Policy

- Source and execute debt financing as directed from time to time

Education:

- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant finance/ accounting subject, Masters is beneficial.

- Professional accounting or finance qualification (e.g. CA / CPA / ACCA).

- Sound understanding of International Accounting Standards & relevant regulations.

Professional:

- At least 7 years experience in a finance function, latterly in a senior position, experience of multi currency consolidations

- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices, standards and financial controls. Strong IFRS knowledge

- Big 4 background, strong controls experience

- Good English language skills, effective communicator, good report writing, experience of establishing policies and procedures

- Tax and treasury experience

- Integration experience beneficial

- Listed company reporting experience preferred, IPO or trade sale experience useful

Competencies:

- Financial Control - Data collection and assimilation Budgeting

- Reporting and monitoring

- Capital allocation and management

- Accounting

- Ability to see the bigger picture

- Process and quality excellence

- Business Acumen

- Change Management

- Relationship building and management

- Trust and integrity