Head of Technical Accounting

VEON-HQ; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global telecommunications operator in Dubai seeks a Head of Technical Accounting to ensure IFRS compliance and oversee financial reporting. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in technical accounting and a strong background in IFRS standards. This role requires exceptional analytical and leadership skills. Join a dynamic team dedicated to transforming lives through technology.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in IFRS-focused roles.
• Deep expertise in IFRS standards and their application.
• Big4 experience with external audit processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead IFRS compliance across VEON Group entities.
• Oversee preparation of consolidated financial statements.
• Drive knowledge sharing through accounting forums.

Skills

IFRS expertise

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Master’s degree in Finance or Accounting

Professional certification (e.g., ACCA, CPA)

Job description

Overview

VEON is a Nasdaq-listed global digital operator that serves more than 150 million customers with connectivity and about 120 million monthly active users with digital services in some of the world’s most exciting frontier markets. Operating across 5 countries that are home to nearly 520 million people, VEON transforms lives through technology-driven services that empower individuals and drive economic growth.

With VEON’s Digital Operator 1440 vision and strategy, VEON Group companies redefine the engagement that telecom operators have with their customers, providing the best digital experience to customers up to 1440 minutes in a day. We transform not only the daily experience of the final users, but also support the growth of enterprises and industries as a whole, using cutting-edge technologies in AI, big-data and cloud services to serve our business customers.

This is all underpinned by a commitment to sustainability, ensuring VEON’s operations are run safely and ethically while fostering digital entrepreneurship and greater digital skills and literacy in the communities in which VEON operates. VEON’s values-based approach works to strengthen trust by building a responsible and sustainable business that benefits customers, employees, communities, and shareholders.

VEON’s international leadership team is drawn from experienced executives from around the world and has been led by CEO Kaan Terzioğlu since July 2021.

Position Summary

The Head of Technical Accounting embodies the pinnacle of expertise in navigating the complexities of technical accounting matters, regulatory landscapes, and the adherence to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This role supports the Group Director of Accounting & External Reporting in driving the Group’s IFRS strategy, managing the preparation of financial reports and disclosures, and ensuring consistent application of accounting standards across the Group. The Head of Technical Accounting plays a critical role in shaping accounting policies, providing technical guidance on complex matters, and enabling informed decision-making at the Group Executive Committee (GEC) and Audit Committee levels.

Key Responsibilities

• IFRS Expertise & Compliance
  • Lead the consistent application of IFRS across VEON Group entities, ensuring technical accuracy, integrity, and alignment with global accounting standards.
  • Maintain and govern the VEON Accounting Manual and related policies and procedures.
  • Provide technical guidance and direction on complex IFRS matters, including revenue recognition, lease accounting, impairments, financial instruments, and business combinations.
  • Review and advise on accounting treatments for capital market transactions (e.g., IPOs, debt issuances), group restructuring, acquisitions, and disposals.
  • Support the preparation of technical position papers and documentation required for audit and internal governance.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management
  • Lead and develop a team of 2 IFRS senior managers, creating a high-performance environment focused on quality and compliance.
  • Collaborate with senior leaders across Reporting functions at VEON’s OpCos and HQ functions (Treasury, Tax, Legal, Investor Relations, and Corporate Finance) to ensure technical alignment on accounting issues and disclosures.
  • Act as the go-to IFRS subject-matter expert for internal stakeholders and external auditors.
• External Financial Reporting
  • Oversee the IFRS-compliant preparation of VEON’s consolidated financial statements and external disclosures, including quarterly press releases (in collaboration with Investor Relations).
  • Manage inputs from multiple stakeholders to ensure reporting timeliness and accuracy for SEC submissions.
  • Support the Head of External Reporting in reviewing and approving internal and external reports that accurately reflect VEON’s financial position.
• Audit & Controls
  • Lead the coordination and technical readiness for annual external audits, ensuring proactive resolution of audit queries and consistent application of standards.
  • Ensure effective Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) controls within the financial reporting process.
  • Review and resolve technical accounting and audit-related matters, escalating key issues as required.
• Training & Communication
  • Drive knowledge sharing through quarterly accounting forums and targeted IFRS trainings to enhance Group-wide understanding and application of accounting standards.
  • Communicate policy changes, new standards, and technical updates across Group and OpCos functions.
• Special Projects & Tools
  • Lead or support strategic finance projects requiring IFRS expertise (e.g., finance transformation, reporting system upgrades, or restructuring efforts).
  • Act as the custodian of external reporting tools (e.g., Workiva), overseeing vendor relationships and system enhancements to support IFRS reporting needs.

Critical Skills & Experience

• Qualifications
  • Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
  • Professional certification (e.g., ACCA, CPA) is required.
• Professional Experience
  • Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in IFRS-focused accounting and reporting roles within a complex multinational environment.
  • Deep expertise in IFRS standards and their application to global reporting and disclosures.
  • Big4 experience with external audit processes.
  • Big 4 IFRS Technical Desk or IFRS Accounting Advisory background is a strong plus.
  • Prior experience with telecommunications industry and supporting M&A transactions from an accounting perspective is desirable.
• Core Competencies
  • Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to mentor and guide teams in a technical accounting environment.
  • High level of technical accounting proficiency, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex concepts to senior stakeholders.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.

More about us

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Do you want to be part of a team that serves over 150 million customers across 5 dynamic markets? Do you want to pioneer new experiences for hundreds of millions in emerging economies? Do you feel at home working in a truly diverse and inclusive environment? We are VEON, a global digital operator and we scale new heights never thought possible.

Our DE&I Vision is: Creating an Inclusive World for All – Inside and Beyond VEON. We aspire to create an inclusive world for all by providing equal voice and representation, driving growth with diverse and inclusive teams, that create products that serve diverse needs of our customers across all dimensions of life from connectivity to digital financial inclusion, education, health and entertainment, and creating value for our people, our partners, and communities.