Role Overview:
As the Finance Manager for the MEAA region, you will play a pivotal role in delivering a timely, accurate, and wellcontrolled financial reporting cycle, with a particular emphasis on the design, execution, and monitoring of SOXcompliant internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR).
Working closely with market finance teams, process owners, internal audit, and grouplevel SOX/Finance functions, you will ensure full regional compliance with the SOX framework while driving continuous improvement across the control and reporting environment. This role also leads SOXrelated training, supports remediation activities, and strengthens the control culture across MEAA.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting & Close Support
- Support MEAA markets in achieving a timely and accurate monthend and yearend close, ensuring highquality financial reporting aligned with IFRS and Group requirements.
- Provide guidance on complex reporting matters and assist with SECrelated disclosures where required.
SOX & ICFR Execution
- Execute, document, and maintain key SOX controls across core financial cycles such as revenue, procurement, payroll, and inventoryensuring alignment with IFRS and groupdefined control standards.
- Ensure controls are performed on time, with precision, and in accordance with approved narratives and process documentation.
- Maintain robust, auditready evidence of control performance and testing.
Training, Governance & Stakeholder Management
- Deliver ongoing SOX and ICFR training to finance and nonfinance teams, fostering awareness, accountability, and strong documentation practices.
- Serve as the regional SOX liaison, promoting best practices and ensuring consistent application of group frameworks across markets.
Audit Support & Remediation
- Partner with internal and external auditors during walkthroughs, sample selections, and control testing activities.
- Coordinate and monitor remediation of control deficiencies, ensuring issues are addressed promptly and sustainably.
- Collaborate with IT and SOX audit counterparts to support remediation of IT General Controls (ITGCs) and applicationlevel control gaps.
Continuous Improvement & Reporting
- Recommend and drive enhancements to strengthen control effectiveness, streamline processes, and reduce risk exposure.
- Prepare periodic ICFR/SOX status reports, dashboards, and risk assessments for regional leadership and group SOX/Finance teams.
Qualifications & Experience
- Professional Qualification: CPA, ACA, ACCA, or equivalent. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related risk/compliance field.
- Experience: Minimum 5 years in a SOXfocused role within a USlisted multinational, FMCG company, or SOXregulated global environment. Prior experience in audit or practice is a strong advantage.
- Expertise:
- Deep understanding of IFRS, SOX requirements, ICFR, ITGCs, and core financial processes.
- Strong knowledge of risk and controls environments within USlisted organisations.
- Industry Background: Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, or tobacco industries is beneficial.
- Technical Skills: Prior exposure to Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) or similar ERP systems is an advantage.
- Soft Skills:
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and influencing capabilities.
- Able to simplify complexity and work independently with sound judgment and initiative.
- Willingness to travel occasionally, based on business needs.
