Financial Controller - MENA

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP; Dubai; Sur place; AED 900 000 - 1 200 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in Dubai seeks a Senior Financial Controller to lead the MENA Finance Control and Tax Operations. You will manage a team, ensure robust month-end and year-end processes, and support regional governance and audit requirements.

Reporting to the Global Head of Financial Control, you will collaborate with the COO and Managing Partner, oversee budgeting, intercompany accounting and local GAAP, and drive automation and process improvements across Finance in the

Qualifications

• A qualified accountant with extensive experience of statutory and regulatory frameworks and obligations across the MENA region (UAE, KSA, Bahrain)
• Demonstrable experience of effectively managing and developing teams
• Proven ability to communicate and influence across all levels, including external stakeholders
• Business fluent language skills in English
• Experience of working as a customer of Global Shared Services
• Basic understanding of a Legal and Finance Systems, ideally the Intapp suite and Elite 3e

Responsabilités

• Month end close and reporting for timely and accurate close and stakeholder reporting
• Year end close and responding to auditors and remediation of findings
• Oversee local GAAP accounting and cross-border intercompany processes
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and reforecasts with Global FP&A and Practice Group teams
• Liaise with partners, taxation and external tax advisors on tax matters
• Manage cash banking relationships, 13-week cash flow and 12-month liquidity forecast
• Ensure compliance, risk management and process improvements across Finance
• Support local audits (ICV UAE Bahrain and KSA) and implementation of eBilling
• Oversee regional billing, intercompany accounting and travel/expense controls

Connaissances

Qualified accountant

Team leadership

Communication & influence

English fluency

Global Shared Services experience

Intapp/Elite 3e knowledge

Outils

Intapp Suite

Elite 3e

Description du poste

Role summary purpose of job

Reporting to the Global Head of Financial Control and with c 4-5 direct reports your team is responsible for ensuring that all relevant Financial Control FP amp A and Tax Operations activities in the MENA region are carried out and managed in compliance with the Firm s policies and relevant legislation This Financial Controller role and the Finance Support team will support the MENA COO and Regional Office Managing Partner as required

Overview of the Function

The Global Finance function ensures robust financial control across our global operations whilst partnering with the firm as a valued commercial advisor influencing strategic decision making and driving long term profitable growth for the firm We achieve our vision with all our people working collaboratively with a shared culture and identifying themselves as part of one inclusive Global Finance team

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Month end close and reporting Responsible for the month end process to ensure a timely and accurate close Review of ledger prior to close to ensure complete and accurate postings Reporting and analysis for relevant stakeholders i e COO Managing Partner and Partners Responding to queries Ensuring all balance sheet reconciliations are completed and reviewed according to accounts responsibility matrix including collaboration with colleagues in Bratislava on bank reconciliations and accounts payable
• Year end close and reporting Responsible for the year end process to ensure a timely and accurate close Responding the requests of external and internal auditors Accountable for remediation of any relevant control audit findings
• Local GAAP accounting Responsible for the completeness and accuracy of local GAAP accounting
• Budgeting and Forecasting Oversight of the annual budget process Accountable for preparation of the overheads budget Working closely with Practice Group Performance team who are accountable for the Practice Group budgets and with the Global FP amp A team who are accountable for the Business Services budgets Oversight of full year re-forecasts as requested by Global Finance
• Partners Partner Taxes and Partnership Accounting Reviewing partner drawings and distribution payments Reviewing distribution statements Responding to ad hoc partner queries New partner finance induction Liaison with partners the Global Tax Team external tax advisor in relation to partner tax returns Supporting partners with responding to any tax audit queries
• Cash Banking and Bank relationships Lead relationships for Freshfields with local banks Approving bank payments Review of 13 week cash flow liquidity forecast and 12 month rolling cashflow Liaison with the Global Treasury team to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet regional needs
• Other Finance tasks Reviewing monthly payroll Calculation of associated payroll balances such as gratuity DEWS provisions payments as required by local regulations Management of local audits Bahrain Abu Dhabi ICV UAE and KSA Overview of local billing team alongside Global Matter Support colleagues including implementation of required eBilling solutions Responsible for regional intercompany accounting Approving expenses and payments
• Taxes Liaison with the external advisors in relation to corporate tax Zakat Responsible for review of VAT returns and ensuring timely submission Responsible alongside colleagues in Global tax for development of regional transfer pricing policy and associated recharges Compliance with other tax regulations and development of processes for changes in tax regulations as relevant
• Risk management and compliance Ensure compliance with global management accounts policies Own the cost and expense policies and monitor correct implementation Ensure adequate controls are designed implemented and operating effectively across relevant finance processes Ensure all relevant license renewals AML returns and other statutory and statistical returns are completed as required by local laws and regulations
• Innovation and continuous improvement Keeping abreast of technology and other advancements in Global Finance processes Applying a continuous improvement mindset and driving further automation and other initiatives which improve efficiency and control Identify and implement further automation Local Subject Matter Expert for Firmwide strategic projects
• Other stakeholders The suppliers of the firm to negotiate renew contracts in close collaboration with the respective budget owners such as Office Managers and functional heads i e printers mobile phones reception and cleaning services energy etc landlords for any premises related issues in collaboration with the facility services colleague the external providers for H amp S at work

Qualifications

• A qualified accountant with extensive experience of statutory and regulatory frameworks and obligations across the MENA region (UAE, KSA, Bahrain)
• Demonstrable experience of effectively managing and developing teams
• Proven ability to communicate and influence across all levels, including developing effective relationships with external stakeholders
• Business fluent language skills in English Professional Services or Legal industry experience
• Experience of working as a customer of Global Shared Services
• A basic understanding of a Legal and Finance Systems, ideally the Intapp suite and Elite 3e