Finance Manager - UAE Entity

About the role

Airwallex is looking for a Finance Manager for its UAE entity, joining the EMEA Finance team. You will take full ownership of finance for the UAE and act as the primary finance contact with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), ensuring financial reporting, prudential and regulatory obligations are met accurately and on time. The UAE operating model and reporting cadence are still maturing, so you will help shape how finance runs in the market.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the designated finance contact with the CBUAE for financial and prudential reporting, including regulatory returns, ad hoc requests and supervisory meetings.
• Own the preparation, review and submission of CBUAE regulatory returns, working with Compliance on interpretation and the regulatory calendar.
• Monitor and report on regulatory capital, liquidity and safeguarding of client funds, flagging risks early and recommending action.
• Own the monthly close and financial controls for the UAE entity, including journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations and P&L reviews before submission to FP&A.
• Prepare financial performance, capital and cash commentary for local board packs and management reporting.
• Lead the annual statutory audit under IFRS and liaise with external auditors and advisors.
• Oversee UAE corporate tax and VAT compliance with the Tax team and external advisors.
• Support new product launches by ensuring they are reflected correctly in reporting and regulatory submissions.
• Drive process improvement and automation across UAE finance and collaborate with the wider Controllership team.

Required profile

• Professional finance or accounting qualification such as CPA, ACCA, CA, CFA or equivalent.
• 8+ years of finance experience, including senior-level experience in a finance function, ideally in financial services, payments or another regulated environment; Big Four experience is advantageous.
• Experience in a financial controlling role, with a track record of building and expanding finance capabilities in a growing organisation.
• Clear, confident communication with stakeholders at all levels, including regulators, auditors and boards.
• Comfort working independently and navigating ambiguity in a hyper-growth environment.
• Resident in the UAE, able to dedicate sufficient time to the role with a meaningful on-the-ground presence.

Required skills

• Strong working knowledge of IFRS, regulatory capital requirements and prudential reporting for payment service providers in the UAE.
• Direct experience engaging with a financial regulator, ideally the CBUAE.

The role is regulated: candidates must meet the CBUAE's Fit and Proper criteria, including a clean regulatory and criminal record, no history of fraud or dishonesty, financial soundness and disclosure of other directorships. Offers are subject to regulatory approval, and background checks and possible reference requests from previous regulators may follow. Applicants should apply through the company's careers site or official LinkedIn page.