Regional Financial Controller - International Law firm

Tiger Recruitment Ltd.; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Tiger Recruitment is partnering with an international professional services organization in Dubai to recruit a Regional Financial Controller for the Middle East. You will lead financial reporting, budgeting, tax, cash management and internal controls across regional markets, managing a small finance team and engaging with senior leaders.

The role demands a technically strong, hands-on finance professional with deep experience in regional accounting, regulatory compliance and cross-border

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with international experience and senior finance background.
• Strong track record in financial reporting, taxation, budgeting and controls.
• Experience working with regional entities and cross-border audits is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly and annual closes across Middle East entities.
• Coordinate annual budgeting and rolling forecasts with business leaders.
• Oversee treasury, cash flow, banking relations and liquidity planning.
• Supervise VAT/corporate tax compliance and statutory filings.
• Support senior stakeholders with financial reporting and analytics.
• Oversee payroll, billing and operating finance processes.
• Strengthen internal controls and process improvement initiatives.
• Lead and develop the regional finance team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Fluent English

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CPA or equivalent

Tools

ERP / Enterprise financial systems

Legal practice management platforms

Job description

Regional Financial Controller – Middle East
Location: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Professional Services
Salary: Open / Negotiable depending on experience
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

The Opportunity
Tiger Recruitment is working with an established international professional services organisation seeking an experienced Regional Financial Controller to manage its finance operations across the Middle East. This is a senior finance position with responsibility for financial reporting, regulatory compliance, budgeting, tax, cash management and internal controls across several regional markets. The successful candidate will manage a small finance team and work closely with senior business leaders, regional management and international finance colleagues to ensure accurate financial reporting, effective financial processes and strong commercial oversight. The role requires a technically strong, hands‑on finance professional who is comfortable managing both day‑to‑day accounting requirements and broader financial planning activities within a complex international business.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial reporting & accounting: Manage monthly and annual financial closing processes, ensuring accounts are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines. Review financial records, general ledger entries and reconciliations to maintain the integrity of financial information. Prepare and review management accounts, financial reports and supporting analysis for senior stakeholders. Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and statutory reporting requirements across regional entities. Coordinate with international finance colleagues and shared service teams on transactional accounting, reconciliations and payment processes. Manage relationships with external and internal auditors, coordinating audit requirements and addressing any findings. Oversee regional intercompany transactions, accounting adjustments and associated reporting.
• Budgeting, forecasting & financial planning: Coordinate the annual budgeting cycle, working with business leaders and departmental heads to establish financial plans. Prepare and monitor operating expenditure budgets, identifying variances and areas requiring management attention. Support periodic financial forecasts and provide commentary on business performance. Produce financial information to support commercial planning and operational decisions. Work with international financial planning teams to ensure regional reporting is aligned with wider business requirements.
• Treasury, cash flow & banking: Oversee regional banking arrangements and maintain effective relationships with financial institutions. Review payment requests and ensure appropriate approval procedures are followed. Monitor short‑term liquidity requirements and longer‑term cash flow forecasts. Coordinate with central treasury colleagues to maintain sufficient funding across regional operations. Ensure cash management processes are appropriately controlled and documented.
• Taxation & statutory compliance: Oversee compliance with applicable regional tax requirements, including VAT and corporate taxation. Work with external tax advisors and international tax specialists on regulatory submissions, tax planning and reporting. Support tax compliance activities across relevant Middle Eastern jurisdictions, including Zakat requirements where applicable. Assist with transfer pricing arrangements, intercompany charges and associated documentation. Monitor changes to regional tax legislation and implement necessary updates to internal procedures. Ensure statutory filings, regulatory submissions and relevant business renewals are completed within required deadlines.
• Partnership & senior stakeholder support: Oversee financial administration relating to senior stakeholders and partnership arrangements. Review financial distributions, payments and supporting documentation. Assist with financial onboarding procedures for newly appointed senior stakeholders. Coordinate with internal and external advisors on relevant personal and partnership tax matters. Respond to financial queries from senior leadership and provide clear, accurate information when required.
• Payroll, billing & operational finance: Review monthly payroll and associated accounting entries. Oversee the calculation and reporting of employee‑related liabilities, including end‑of‑service benefits and applicable workplace savings arrangements. Support billing and revenue administration, working with relevant internal teams to maintain accurate processes. Assist with the introduction or improvement of electronic billing and financial management systems. Review business expenses, supplier payments and other operational finance transactions. Work with departmental managers on supplier agreements, contract renewals and cost management. Provide financial input into office‑related expenditure and facilities arrangements.
• Internal controls & process improvement: Maintain effective financial policies, approval procedures and internal control frameworks. Identify financial and operational risks and implement appropriate corrective measures. Ensure expenditure and payment processes comply with internal policies and relevant regulations. Review existing finance processes and recommend improvements to strengthen accuracy, efficiency and reporting. Support automation projects and the implementation of new finance systems and technologies. Act as a regional finance representative on wider business improvement and transformation projects.
• Team management: Manage, mentor and develop a regional finance team. Allocate responsibilities effectively and ensure financial reporting deadlines and operational objectives are achieved. Promote collaboration between local finance employees, international colleagues and shared service functions. Maintain high standards of accuracy, accountability and professional development within the team.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent).
• Minimum 10–15 years of relevant finance and accounting experience, including experience in a senior financial management or controllership position.
• Must currently be working within an international law firm.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, statutory accounting and regulatory obligations across the Middle East.
• Practical experience of UAE financial and tax regulations, with exposure to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain highly advantageous.
• Proven experience managing month‑end and year‑end reporting, audits, budgeting and forecasting.
• Strong understanding of corporate tax, VAT, cash flow management and internal financial controls.
• Previous experience managing and developing finance teams.
• Confidence working with senior executives, partners and international stakeholders.
• Experience working with centralised finance or global shared service teams would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of legal‑sector accounting, partnership structures and related financial processes would be advantageous.
• Experience with enterprise financial systems and legal practice management platforms would be beneficial.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills.
• Fluent English, both written and spoken.

Salary & Benefits

Salary is open and negotiable, depending on the candidate's experience, technical expertise and regional background. A competitive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate.

This opportunity would suit an experienced Financial Controller, Regional Finance Manager or Head of Financial Control who is looking to take on a broader regional remit within an international organisation. Applicants must have 10–15 years of relevant finance experience and currently be employed by an international law firm.

REF:CH226297