Financial Controller

Company context

Role purpose and scope

Key responsibilities

• Build the CoE around a single chart of accounts and master data, a standard close calendar, documented maker-checker controls, effective technology, and brand service-level agreements.
• Own month-end close, sign off entity financial statements, target a five-working-day close, and lead the close calendar.
• Implement segregation of duties and maker-checker controls for journals, reconciliations, vendor masters, bank changes, and payment releases.
• Supervise an external secondment team for 3–6 months to clear historical audit findings, restate positions where required, and build the ongoing balance-sheet reconciliation pack.
• Oversee UAE VAT and Corporate Tax, UK tax, transfer pricing, ESR, AML/KYC for vendors, and UBO registration.
• Govern chart of accounts, vendor and customer masters, cost centres, projects, and WBS; require CoE sign-off for new GL codes and vendors.
• Maintain a version-controlled policy and SOP library for each transaction class.
• Manage external audit relationships and timelines, address management letter points, and improve the control environment.
• Coach senior accountants, fill critical vacancies, build succession capacity, and work with HR on capability building.
• Publish brand service-level agreements, provide timely actuals to FP&A, and support business cases and investment reviews.
• Make the CoE model replicable for additional brands or geographies without redesign.

Qualifications and experience

• CA, ACCA, CPA, or equivalent qualified accountant is mandatory.
• 10–15 years of progressive finance experience, including 4+ years as Financial Controller, Head of Finance, or CoE leader.
• Multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction exposure is required; UAE and UK experience is essential.
• Demonstrated experience building or transforming a fragmented finance function into a controlled operation.
• Strong NetSuite or equivalent ERP expertise, including ERP integration with operational systems.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to partner with operations and senior leadership.
• F&B, hospitality, or multi-outlet retail experience is strongly preferred.