Financial Controller

About the role

We are looking on behalf of the client based in UAE (Dubai) in the hard commodity industry, for a detail-oriented and proactive Financial Controller to join their finance team in Dubai. The role covers financial controlling, management reporting, budgeting, treasury support, analytics, and automation initiatives. The position works under the supervision of a Head of Budgeting and Controlling and closely with Trading, Treasury and Accounting, ensuring financial discipline, high-quality reporting, and operational transparency across international trading operations.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Controlling & Reporting

• Assist in monthly and quarterly closing processes.
• Ensure data accuracy and completeness through reconciliations and discrepancy analysis.
• Prepare calculations for reserves, income and expense accruals
• Collect and process administrative and operational expense data in 1C Management Accounting
• Participate in the preparation of quarterly management reporting packages, including key KPIs and business analysis for senior management
• Provide methodological support to the accounting team on IFRS and local reporting requirements.

Budgeting & Planning

• Collect budget input data from operational teams for annual and rolling budgets.
• Independently calculate selected budget lines and cost items based on historical data, contracts, and business assumptions.
• Upload and maintain the approved budget in management accounting systems
• Prepare automated Excel templates and tools for budget data collection and consolidation
• Assist with budget vs. actual variance analysis and prepare draft variance explanations.

Financial Discipline & Operations Support

• Monitor administrative budget execution and highlight deviations
• Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation and providing explanations to auditors
• Provide day-to-day operational support to the Trading Department
• Monitor trading transactions in internal systems to ensure data accuracy and completeness
• Review contractual terms and commercial proposals for alignment with actual contractual performance

Treasury Support

• Maintain and update projected client payment schedules
• Prepare weekly payment analysis reports
• Support payment execution by:
• preparing Excel-based tools and templates,
• validating data accuracy,
• coordinating with Treasury and Trading teams,
• preparing compliance supporting documents upon request.

Analytics & Process Improvement

• Prepare analytical reports, dashboards, and presentations for Trading team and Management
• Participate in the development of internal financial and corporate policies
• Support the automation and improvement of reporting and control processes.

Requirements

Mandatory

• Higher education in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in finance, accounting, audit, or controlling.
• Good understanding of basic accounting principles and financial reporting concepts.
• Basic knowledge of how financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) are structured and linked
• Advanced Excel skills (formulas, pivots; Power Query is a plus)
• Working proficiency in English, additional languages could be strong advantage

Preferred

• Experience with 1C or similar ERP / trading systems
• Knowledge of IFRS and management accounting practices
• Experience in trading, commodities, shipping, or international logistics

Personal Qualities

• High level of responsibility and attention to detail
• Strong analytical mindset and structured thinking
• Initiative and results-oriented approach
• Willingness to learn and improve processes
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team