Senior Business Controller - French Speaker

Akkodis; Dubai; On-site; AED 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Akkodis is seeking a Senior Business Controller in Dubai to oversee budgeting, forecasting, and performance management across business lines. The role partners with leadership to drive profitability, control frameworks, and financial reporting using SAP S/4HANA.

The candidate will lead annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and project profitability analyses, while collaborating with cross-functional teams on pricing, costs, and financial negotiations in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• 6–8 years of progressive experience in business controlling, FP&A, or corporate finance.
• Hands-on SAP S/4HANA (FI/CO) experience is required.
• Strong Excel skills with financial modeling and data automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting and financial planning aligned with strategy.
• Develop department and business line budgets with operational managers.
• Maintain rolling forecasts and monitor variances and drivers.
• Drive month-end closing, reporting, and performance analysis.
• Collaborate with commercial teams on pricing and contracts.
• Design and maintain internal controls and support audits.
• Optimize project profitability and monitor cost drivers with project managers.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Executive communication

Financial analysis

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Admin

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

The Senior Business Controller leads financial oversight, operational planning, and performance management across business lines. Working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams, this role drives budgeting, rolling forecasts, project profitability, and internal controls using SAP S/4HANA to optimize margins and support strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead annual budgeting and financial planning in alignment with strategic objectives.
• Develop department and business line budgets in close collaboration with operational managers.
• Maintain monthly rolling forecasts to proactively identify budget variances, risks, and performance drivers.

2. Month-End Closing, Performance Analysis & Reporting

• Drive month-end financial closing processes, ensuring data integrity and timely reporting.
• Analyze actual vs. budget/forecast/prior-year performance, delivering actionable insights to executive leadership.
• Produce monthly Group, Management, and Departmental financial reporting packages and executive dashboards.
• Partner with commercial teams on contract renewals, pricing structures, and financial negotiations.
• Identify cost-saving initiatives and drive operational improvement plans to resolution.
• Design, implement, and maintain robust internal control frameworks to safeguard company assets.
• Conduct internal control assessments to ensure strict compliance with corporate policies and financial regulations.
• Support financial, quality, and internal audits, serving as a primary point of contact.
• Lead process optimization and leverage SAP S/4HANA to automate financial reporting and control workflows.
• Track and optimize project and client contract profitability against target margins.
• Collaborate monthly with Project Managers to validate reforecasted revenue, gross margins, and cost variances.
• Monitor project cost drivers, flag potential budget overruns, and execute corrective action plans.

Qualifications & Skills

Professional Experience & Technical Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related fields.
• Experience: 6–8 years of progressive experience in business controlling, FP&A, or corporate finance.
• ERP Knowledge: Hands-on experience with SAP S/4HANA (FI/CO modules) required.
• Financial Expertise: Deep knowledge of financial principles, risk management, internal controls, and project accounting.
• Advanced Analytics: Advanced MS Excel skills (financial modeling, data automation) and proficiency across the MS Office Suite.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving mindset.
• Clear executive communication and presentation skills.
• High attention to detail with an emphasis on accuracy and reporting integrity.
• Proven ability to manage deadlines and thrive under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and change-adaptability.