Head of Finance - Start-up environment - Premier Trading Company - Dubai

CassonX; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned retail trading firm is seeking a Senior Finance professional to establish their Dubai office. This role demands extensive experience in the DFSA region, with responsibilities including overseeing financial operations, budgeting, and team building. Candidates will ideally possess a professional qualification and must be based in Dubai or willing to relocate from London. Join to be part of the leadership team as the firm sets up in Q1 2026, with tax-free earnings.

Qualifications

• Experience working in the DFSA region is essential.
• Strong understanding of DFSA client money and asset rules.
• Demonstrable expertise in reconciliation requirements and financial reporting obligations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all financial operations for the firm, including accounting and payroll.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management.
• Build and grow a finance team as the office develops.

Skills

Senior Finance experience

Accounting expertise

Payroll management

Financial controls

Technical knowledge of DFSA rules

Education

Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent)

Job description

Overview

CassonX are proud to be partnering with one of the most prestigious names in Retail Trading, who are looking to open an office in Dubai. The hires that they are looking to make now will form part of the initial leadership team and looking for those with entrepreneurial spirit to help collaboratively make their new geography as huge success. With all these hires, there is a huge preference to those who are already based in Dubai, but they are willing to relocate those from London (note there is no relocation package available, potentially just flights to get you there). Working for this subsidiary of their group that expects to have those successfully employed locally in Q4 2025 (October / November latest) and with a target of a go-live in early Q1 2026, all earnings demonstrated are tax free and net.

Role requirements

To be considered for this role, CassonX are looking to identify someone who offers Senior Finance experience, ideally in a Retail Trading company. You must have experience of working in the DFSA region to be considered, having been authorised or eligible to be authorised by the DFSA as a Finance Officer, with strong technical knowledge of DFSA client money and asset rules, reconciliation requirements, and financial reporting obligations. This should be coupled with demonstrable expertise in accounting, payroll management, and financial controls. Of course a professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CPA, or equivalent is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Given you will be the first Finance hire in their office, there is obvious responsibility to build and grow a team in time that deals with everything the Finance team will require (oversee all financial operations for the firm, including accounting, payroll, financial controls, and reporting), and will include lead budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management to support strategic decision-making and business growth. More details are available only to those who send a relevant CV. CassonX are prioritising those who are currently already based in Dubai, next priority are those willing to relocate from London and have the previous experience in the DFSA region.

Equality and Recruitment

CassonX Limited are committed to providing fair employment opportunities to all applicants. We encourage anyone to apply, regardless of their background, and promote a fair and inclusive recruitment process based on merit. If you require any assistance throughout the interview process to improve your experience, kindly let us know.