Central Controller

Thales; Dubai; On-site; AED 240,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales in Dubai seeks an experienced Finance professional to assist the CFO in overseeing financial management across UAE entities. You will drive accounting quality, audits, regulatory compliance, and internal controls while supporting month-end and year-end closes and future project controlling.

Ideal candidates hold a Chartered Accountant / CPA, with 5+ years in accounting, IFRS expertise, and fluent English. SAP/ERP systems experience is preferred to advance finance modernization initiatives.

Qualifications

• Chartered Accountant / CPA with minimum 5 yrs experience is a strong plus.
• Expert in accounting and IFRs. Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Monitor shared services KPIs and cash flow; forecast cash needs and optimize OCF.
• Lead ICV requirements; occasional travel to Abu Dhabi.
• Oversee UAE entity accounting, monthly balance sheet reviews, audit and financial statements.
• Implement internal controls and regulatory compliance within corporate standards.
• Support month-/quarter-/year-end closings and future project controlling.

Skills

IFRS

Audit background

English fluency

Financial analysis

Cash flow management

Education

Chartered Accountant / CPA

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

For over 50 years, Thales has been a trusted partner of the United Arab Emirates, providing innovative and cutting-edge solutions in Defence, Aeropsace and Cyber & Digital, aligned with the nation’s long-term vision. With a strong local presence and more than 500 employees across three offices, Thales is deeply embedded within the UAE’s ecosystem. Thales Emarat Technologies plays a pivotal role as a key industrial enabler, fostering national sovereignty, self-reliance, and innovation. Through localization, strategic collaboration, and exporting ‘Made in the Emirates’ technologies to global markets, we contribute significantly to the UAE’s ambitious growth and development while helping build a future we call all trust.

JOB OBJECTIVE

Assist the CFO in overseeing financial management and in controlling the functions within the country.

Roles & Responsibilities

Permanent responsibilities:

• Monitor the shared services KPIs with focus on Paid on Time.
• Manage the cash of the project (Cash-in and Cash-out), forecast cash flow and improve/optimize OCF with Operations, review working capital requirements
• Lead the different ICV requirements, with occasional travels to Abu Dhabi
• Reduce the DSO on intercompany AR
• Support in overseeing the financial activities of the UAE entities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and reliability of financial information, including monthly Balance Sheet reviews
• Lead in audit and prepare financial statements for all UAE entities
• Implement and maintain internal controls including ICMA , ICQ compliance with regulatory requirements and corporate standards.
• Support the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes
• In the medium term, with the growth of business, take over the project controlling of new projects

Finance Team player: Ensure convergence to “best in class” Finance organization by adequate professional behavior strong accountability and cooperation spirit

Finance Transformation: Participate actively to the Finance Modernization initiatives in the country, agile tools, SAP improvements

Work Experience Requirements

• Organization capabilities, Ability to synthesize, Rigor and hard worker
• Audit background is a must
• Promote the highest standards of conduct
• Exhibit a strong ability and willingness in meeting deadlinesEffective interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills

Qualification, Certification & Educational Requirements

• Chartered Accountant / CPA with minimum 5 yrs experience is a strong plus
• Expert in accounting and IFRsFluent in English

Preferred Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to make effective presentations to all levels of leadership.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working.