Central Controller (UAE National)

Thales; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, seeks a seasoned finance professional to assist the CFO in overseeing financial management for UAE entities. You will monitor KPIs, cash flow, and controls, lead audits, and ensure regulatory compliance across the UAE operations.

The role requires an audit background, IFRS expertise, and an English-fluent CA/CPA with 5+ years of experience. Travel to Abu Dhabi may be required as part of ICV responsibilities and strategic finance initiatives.

Qualifications

• Audit background is a must.
• Fluent in English.
• CA/CPA with 5+ years experience preferred.
• Experience with IFRS accounting.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Monitor KPIs and cash flow; optimize OCF with Operations.
• Lead ICV requirements; occasional travel to Abu Dhabi.
• Oversee UAE entities' financial activities and monthly Balance Sheet reviews.
• Lead audits and prepare financial statements for UAE entities.
• Implement and maintain internal controls; regulatory compliance.
• Support month-, quarter-, and year-end closing processes.
• In the medium term, assume project-controlling of new projects.

Skills

Communication skills

Audit background

Interpersonal skills

Deadline oriented

Education

Chartered Accountant / CPA

Tools

SAP

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 deadlines
• Effective 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 IFRs
• Fluent 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.

Great journeys start here,