Financial Controller

Job Summary:

This is a pivotal leadership role, which involves partnering closely with the Board and Senior Management to drive financial performance and support the company's short- and long-term strategy through robust financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and operational controls. The role is responsible for accurate and timely financial reporting, payroll oversight, statutory compliance, and tax governance across the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and future COCO markets, while providing actionable financial insights, strengthening controls, managing financial risk, and driving sustainable, profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the complete accounting function, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, inventory, payroll accounting, intercompany transactions, and banking.
• Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting and financial planning process, including sales, gross margin, OPEX, CAPEX and working capital.
• Provide active support in developing organizational strategies through financial & accounting information, analysis, recommendations and provide financial advice on business strategies.
• Monitor and improve gross margin, operating costs, profitability and cash conversion across the business.
• Preside over preparation of trend analysis/ reports on financial results, costs, revenues, cost income ratio to give clarity on the financial health of the business to top management and Board of Directors.
• Lead, coach and develop the finance team, creating a culture of accountability, accuracy and continuous improvement.
• Lead accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations and cash-flow management, ensuring strong working-capital discipline.
• Ensure statutory compliances of all systems, processes & accounting practices including VAT compliances.
• Understand and develop reporting mechanism to keep track of the Inventory levels, ageing stock analysis, best sellers and slow movers.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, banks and other financial stakeholders.

Job Specifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, professional qualification such as CA or equivalent is preferred.
• The ideal candidate will have 8–12 years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including at least 4–5 years in a Finance Controller.
• Excellent analytical and financial modelling skills, with the ability to turn numbers into actionable business insights.
• Proven experience in financial controlling within premium retail or FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems, Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, audit, tax and statutory compliance.
• Strong understanding of retail P&L, inventory, gross margin, store economics and working capital.