Financial Controller - Fintech / Financial Services / Technology

Role Overview

We are looking for a seasoned Financial Controller with a decade or more of experience in finance and accounting to join an expanding finance team. The ideal candidate will oversee the company's financial operations, ensuring precise and timely reporting, maintaining robust financial controls, and adhering to relevant regulatory standards. This hands-on position suits a commercially driven finance expert with solid technical accounting, regulatory reporting, and financial management skills. Prior experience in fintech, financial services, or a dynamic, fast-growing environment is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily financial activities such as accounts payable and receivable, cash flow, and bank reconciliations.
• Oversee cash flow management to maintain proper liquidity and working capital levels.
• Forecast future cash needs and provide leadership with insight on funding and liquidity forecasts.
• Guarantee all financial transactions are recorded accurately, authorised properly, and processed promptly.
• Ensure accounting practices align with internal policies and IFRS standards.
• Lead the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements with accuracy and timeliness.
• Ensure all financial reporting complies with IFRS and UAE regulatory requirements.
• Offer detailed financial analysis, including budget versus forecast variance reviews.
• Develop and track financial KPIs related to performance, profitability, costs, and operational efficiency.
• Provide senior leaders with clear financial insights and strategic advice to facilitate decision-making.
• Oversee VAT, tax filings, and other mandatory financial regulatory duties within the UAE.
• Ensure legal compliance with all UAE financial and regulatory obligations.
• Coordinate preparation and submission of regulatory financial reports as required.
• Maintain productive working relationships with tax consultants, auditors, and regulatory bodies.
• Lead and manage the external audit process, addressing all findings and recommendations appropriately.
• Direct the annual budgeting cycle in collaboration with department heads and senior management.
• Maintain ongoing financial forecasts covering revenue, expenses, cash flow, and profits.
• Track budget adherence and analyze significant variances meaningfully.
• Support long-term financial planning and strategic corporate initiatives.
• Build financial models and conduct scenario analyses to evaluate risks and opportunities.
• Establish and enhance internal financial control systems continually.
• Safeguard company assets and ensure the integrity of financial data.
• Identify and mitigate financial risks such as credit, currency, and operational risks.
• Collaborate with internal teams to design risk management strategies.
• Ensure audit readiness and compliance with applicable accounting standards and policies.
• Supervise the use and improvement of financial software and systems.
• Seek opportunities to enhance financial processes, reporting accuracy, and efficiency through automation and process improvements.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to optimize financial workflow and system integration.
• Lead and nurture the finance team, fostering a culture of high performance and cooperation.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and technical support to finance personnel.
• Encourage professional growth and career progression in the finance function.
• Work closely with operations, HR, legal, sales, and other departments to deliver financial insights and commercial advice.
• Act as a strategic financial partner to senior management.

Qualifications and Skills

• A minimum of 10 to 12 years’ experience in finance and accounting, including at least 5 years in a leadership capacity.
• Background in fintech, financial services, technology, or rapidly expanding businesses is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CPA, CMA, ACCA, CA, or their equivalents is preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of IFRS, UAE VAT, taxation, financial reporting standards, and financial controls.
• Familiarity with UAE’s financial regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proficient in financial modelling, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and experience using accounting software.
• Experience with Power BI, data analytics, or business intelligence tools is advantageous.
• Excellent leadership and team management capabilities.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in financial work.
• Outstanding communication skills, able to clearly present complex financial data to senior stakeholders.
• A proactive, commercially oriented mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment.