Head of Audit / Head of Management Accounting
(Real Estate Development / Investment Group, UAE)
Reporting Line
Directly to the Company Owner / Shareholder
Role Purpose
To establish a management accounting and financial control framework from zero for a real estate development group, ensure full transparency of financial flows across projects and SPVs, lead the migration of management accounting from PACT to Oracle or SAP Business One, and deliver clear, decision-ready management reporting for the owner and senior management.
Key Responsibilities
Management Accounting & Reporting
- Design and implement a management accounting framework tailored to real estate development and investment activities (projects, SPVs, construction phases, cash flow).
- Create/Develop of a plan for management reports system based on owner request, including:
- Project-level P&L
- Cash Flow (budget vs. actual)
- Balance Sheet
- Project profitability, margins, and ROI analysis
- Establish budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes with strict budgetary control.
- Develop and maintain a unified management accounting methodology across all projects and legal entities within the group.
Internal Audit & Financial Control
- Build and oversee an internal audit and financial control function aligned with international best practices.
- Ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of financial and management data.
- Identify financial risks, inefficiencies, and control gaps across projects and SPVs.
- Develop and implement internal financial policies, procedures, and approval matrices.
- Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and consultants, as required.
ERP Implementation & Automation
- Full lead the end-to-end migration of management accounting from PACT to Oracle Financials or SAP Business One.
- Define business and functional requirements, including financial models, reporting logic, analytical dimensions, and master data.
- Oversee data migration, validation, and reconciliation to ensure integrity and accuracy.
- Drive automation and optimization of management reporting and financial processes.
Team Leadership
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing management accounting and audit team.
- Set clear objectives, monitor delivery timelines, and ensure quality standards.
- Coach and train team members on international standards, internal methodologies, and ERP processes.
Mandatory Requirements
Professional Experience
- Minimum 3 years of experience in a senior role within management accounting, financial control, or internal audit.
- Proven track record of building management accounting systems from zero.
- Experience in real estate development, construction, or investment projects.
- Hands-on experience with implementation or advanced configuration of:
- Oracle Financials and/or
- SAP Business One.
- Practical experience in ERP data migration and system integration projects.
Financial & Business Expertise
- Strong expertise in management accounting, budgeting, project accounting, and cash flow management for development projects.
- Ability to translate financial data into business insights and actionable recommendations for shareholders.
- Experience with multi-entity group reporting and consolidation.
Education & Languages
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Economics, or Audit.
- English Upper-Intermediate or fluent (daily working language).
- Russian fluent (strong advantage).
Preferred But Not Required
- Background in Big4 or international real estate / investment groups.
- Prior experience working in the UAE or other international jurisdictions.
- Understanding of IFRS and its interaction with management accounting.
- Experience working with complex corporate and SPV-based structures.
- Professional certifications such as ACCA, CPA, CMA are a strong advantage.
Personal Profile
- Highly structured, detail-oriented, and fast adapting to new environments.
- Confident and independent professional able to challenge the business and defend financial integrity.
- Strong level of responsibility and orientation for results.
- Strong communication capability of explaining complex financial matters to shareholders in a concise and practical way.
- Strong adaptive capability in a growing company with evolving processes.
Probation Period Key Performance Indicator
- Management accounting framework designed, approved, and implemented.
- PACT system enhanced or successful migration to Oracle / SAP Business One completed.
- Regular management reporting (P&L, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet) delivered in an owner-approved format.
- Key financial risks, inconsistencies,
