Strategic Finance Controller: Cashflow, Compliance & Margin

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Supervises: 5 number of direct reports / 30+ indirect reports

Location: UAE (Head Office)

JOB PURPOSE

To ensure financial integrity, statutory compliance, and operational control across all trading divisions of the company’s business. The Financial Controller partners with the CFO to deliver accurate reporting, strong governance, and sustainable profitability — safeguarding working capital and ensuring cost discipline in a fast-moving, perishable-goods environment.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Strategy

• Review daily the Group financial performance and cashflow reports for each business/ country .
• Monitor all financial transactions for accuracy, authorization, and compliance.
• Support the CFO in financial risk management — forex exposure, credit, liquidity, and insurance coverage.
• Participate in strategic planning and provide financial input for expansion, fleet, or facility investment.
• Provide strong input and Analysis and support the CFO on M&A transactions.
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning
• Lead the annual budgeting process across divisions with detailed variance analysis.
• Work closely with operation and prepare group 5 years FS ( BS, P&L, CF) as per the Company vision and CFO guidance and strategy.
• Prepare quarterly rolling forecasts and financial projections.
• Benchmark cost structures and margins against market averages for F&V category.
• Work closely with operations to align cost assumptions with actual logistics and wastage levels.
• Recommend corrective actions to meet financial targets.
• Accounting & Reporting
• Supervise end-to-end accounting functions — AP, AR, GL, and Treasury .
• Ensure month-end closure within 4 working days; validate accuracy of P&L and balance sheet.
• Prepare management reports:
  • Group performance
  • Country P&L
  • Division-wise P&L
  • Item and Customer P&L
  • Cashflow Forecast
  • Margin & wastage analysis
  • Financial ratios & trend dashboards
  • BS Trends variance ( Vertical and Horizontal)
• Consolidate the Financial statements of the subsidiaries.
• Costing & Margin Analysis (Core to F&V)
• Maintain detailed costing sheets per SKU — including freight, handling, wastage, and repacking.
• Analyze and control wastage, breakage, and price discounts affecting gross margin.
• Approve pricing models ensuring target margins by customer and channel.
• Track actual vs. standard costs; investigate and report variances weekly.
• Support operations to minimize financial loss from short shelf-life produce.
• Cashflow, Treasury & Working Capital
• Prepare weekly and monthly cashflow forecasts ; ensure adequate liquidity.
• Manage all banking relationships, overdraft renewals, and LC documentation.
• Oversee timely customer collections and vendor payments as per credit terms.
• Approve and monitor fund transfers, petty cash, and foreign remittances.
• Apply the forex hedging and reduce the subsidiary cash balance to head office.
• Optimize cash cycles by balancing DSO, DPO, and inventory days.

Compliance, Audit & Taxation

• Liaise with external and Internal auditors and provide requirements on time .
• Implement robust financial controls, accounting policies, and internal audit mechanisms aligned with company SOPs.
• Ensure on-time and accurate UAE VAT and Corporate Tax filings.
• Implement tax record-keeping procedures in compliance with FTA guidelines.
• Prepare and present audit schedules, close audit points promptly.
• Ensure company compliance with FTA, MOHRE, and financial governance requirements.
• Maintain internal controls to prevent fraud, pilferage, or misappropriation.
• Systems & Process Enhancement
• Manage ERP integration and ensure accuracy of financial modules (Focus/SAP/Tally).
• Automate recurring reports and reconciliations to improve efficiency.
• Support implementation of BI dashboards and digital expense tracking.
• Conduct periodic process audits for finance SOP compliance.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate the performance of the finance team.
• Delegate responsibilities and implement performance KPIs for accountants.
• Build a “zero-error” culture of accountability and ownership.
• Conduct cross-training to build bench strength for succession readiness.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• US CPA or UK Chartered Accountant (CA).
• Bachelor’s / Master’s in Accounting, Finance
• 8–12 years of experience (minimum 5 years in UAE food/FMCG/F&V trading industry)
• Strong ERP background with ability to automate reporting and dashboards.
• Proven record in margin control, tax compliance, and working capital optimization.
• Prior experience with big 4 Audit firm strongly preferred.

ROLE SUMMARY SNAPSHOT

Dimension Scope

Reporting To Chief Financial Officer

Span of Control 5–8 finance professionals

Decision Rights Approval of accounting adjustments, vendor payments, cash transfers (within limit)

Cross-Functional Interfaces CFO, Finance Manager, GM, Procurement Head, Operations Heads, HR, External Auditors

Core Deliverables Financial accuracy, cashflow stability, audit compliance, and cost optimization