Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Job Profile

• Head of Finance – Middle East
• Function - Finance & Accounting
• Location - Dubai, UAE Freezone

1. Position and Purpose

The Head of Finance – Middle East is responsible for the entire finance function of the company

The role holder leads the local accounting team, ensures that all business transactions are properly recorded in line with local and group-wide requirements, monitors liquidity across the entities and serves as the key sparring partner to management on all financial, commercial and planning matters. The position combines hands-on operational responsibility with strategic tasks in business planning, pricing and cashflow management.

1. Organisational Setup

• Disciplinary and functional leadership of a 6 to 7 member accounting team
• Direct reporting line to the Managing Director
• Close cooperation with the finance functions in Germany and India as well as with operational departments (Sales, Project Execution, Logistics)
• Interface to external auditors, tax advisors, banks and authorities

1. Key Responsibilities

• 3.1 Leadership & Accounting Organisation
• Functional and disciplinary leadership of the accounting team
• Ensuring efficient, controlled and compliant accounting processes
• Continuous review, improvement and documentation of accounting workflows
• Establishment and maintenance of an effective internal control system (ICS)
• 3.2 Year-End Closing & Valuation
• Preparation of the annual financial statements for all three Middle East entities
• Supervision and review of the annual physical inventory count
• Valuation and recognition of work-in-progress as well as inventory and stocked assets Calculation of provisions including end-of-service gratuity provisions in line with UAE Labour

Law

• Reconciliation and clearing of intercompany accounts with sister companies in Germany,
• India and other group entities
• Main point of contact for external audits and tax inspections (Mainland and Free zone)
• 3.3 Reporting & Controlling
• Preparation of monthly management reporting packages (P&L, balance sheet, balance sheet account analysis)
• Plan vs. actual analyses, commentary on variances and recommendations for action
• Consolidation-ready delivery of figures to Company (integration into group reporting)
• 3.4 Cashflow Management & Liquidity
• Ongoing monitoring and management of cashflow across all entities
• Preparation and maintenance of rolling liquidity forecasts (short- and mid-term)
• Working capital management: control of receivables, payables and inventory
• Monitoring of bank accounts, payment transactions and FX exposure
• Early identification of liquidity risks and derivation of mitigating measures
• Alignment of cash management with Managing Director / Group CFO
• 3.5 Payroll & Travel Expenses
• Responsibility for monthly payroll processing (WPS-compliant for Mainland employees)
• Administration of end-of-service benefits, leave provisions and other HR-related accruals
• Steering and control of travel expense processing, including policy compliance
• 3.6 Business Planning & Pricing
• Preparation of the annual budget and rolling forecasts for all entities
• Contribution to the mid-term business planning of the Middle East region
• Costing and pricing for projects and products (cost-plus, market-based, margin analysis)
• Profitability analyses for investments, projects and new business opportunities

1. Candidate Profile

• 4.1 Education
• University degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or comparable field
• Additional qualification such as Certified Accountant, CPA, ACCA or CMA is an advantage
• 4.2 Professional Experience
• At least 7–10 years of professional experience in finance/accounting, including several years of leadership experience
• Solid experience in independently preparing annual financial statements
• Experience in a manufacturing or project-driven industrial environment clearly preferred
• UAE experience is a must (Mainland and Free zone)4.3 Technical Competencies
• Solid knowledge of IFRS; HGB knowledge is an advantage (group context)
• Knowledge of UAE Corporate Tax, VAT and Labour Law (in particular gratuity calculation)
• Experience in inventory valuation, particularly work-in-progress and project business
• Confident handling of ERP systems and very good MS Excel skills
• Experience in costing, pricing and margin management
• 4.4 Personal Competencies
• Analytical thinking, structured and result-oriented working style
• Hands-on mentality combined with strategic vision
• Strong communication skills and assertiveness in an international environment
• Integrity, discretion and a high sense of responsibility
• Intercultural competence and experience working with German headquarter structures
• 4.5 Languages
• Business-fluent English (written and spoken)
• German language skills are a clear advantage

1. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timely and quality-assured monthly and annual financial statements
• Clean and audit-proof inventory count and valuation
• Meaningful, decision-relevant management reporting
• Adherence to budget and forecast discipline
• Secure liquidity position and transparent cashflow management
• Compliance with local tax and UAE labour law is a must
• Stability, development and performance of the accounting team
• Apply now!