Head of Finance – Senior Finance Leader

About the role

We are a 30-year-old Dubai-based trading group seeking an experienced finance leader to own and develop our finance function across five entities. Reporting directly to the CEO and MD, the role offers autonomy, strategic influence and a stable business environment.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare consolidated P&L, balance sheet and cash-flow statements for all legal entities and deliver them to the CEO/MD by day 10 of the month.
• Complete month-end close within seven working days, including inventory reconciliation, accruals, depreciation, inter-company reconciliation and financial statement preparation.
• Maintain weekly gross-profit margin tracking and produce monthly margin reports by brand, channel and segment.
• Manage a rolling six-week cash-flow forecast with ≤5 % variance and approve daily payments against purchase orders and budget.
• Lead annual statutory audits, coordinate with external auditors and ensure 100 % on-time VAT filings and corporate tax returns.
• Oversee accounts receivable, accounts payable, stock valuation and weekly stock-aging cost-saving trackers.
• Maintain finance SOP register, banking authority matrices, KYC and signatory updates; conduct quarterly controls reviews.
• Coach and manage direct reports through quarterly 1:1s and performance reviews.
• Support ERP enhancements, MIS automation and implementation of fixed-fee revenue processing.

Required profile

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, ICAEW, CA, CMA or CPA) – no part-qualified status.
• Minimum 15 years post-qualification finance experience, with at least 5 years in the UAE.
• Hands-on experience preparing consolidated financial statements for multiple legal entities.
• Resident in the UAE or able to relocate within 30 days.

Required skills

• Financial Reporting
• UAE VAT
• Statutory Audit
• Multi-Entity Consolidation
• Inventory Accounting
• Process Documentation
• Process Automation (No-Code)
• Automation
• Cash Flow Management
• Treasury Management
• Forecasting
• UAE Corporate Tax
• Internal Controls / SOPs
• Trade Finance / Banking Operations

What we offer

• Stable 30-year-old business with clear succession framework.
• Direct partnership with CEO and MD and quarterly strategic involvement.
• Annual performance review with potential compensation adjustment and discretionary bonus.
• Statutory UAE benefits – visa, medical, annual ticket, 30 days leave and gratuity.