Financial Controller

We are looking for a Financial Controller to support the Head of Finance in operating and developing the finance function of a DFSA-authorised financial services entity. The Financial Controller will help maintain accurate financial records, deliver timely financial, tax and regulatory reporting, support audits and strengthen the entity s finance governance and controls. Key responsibilities Financial accounting and month-end close • Coordinate the month-end and year-end close, maintaining a close calendar and meeting agreed deadlines. • Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, prepayments, allocations, revenue and expense entries, and other period-end adjustments. • Reconcile and substantiate balance sheet accounts, including bank, intercompany and other material balances; investigate and resolve differences. • Maintain accurate general ledger records and support the preparation of financial statements under applicable accounting standards, including IFRS where applicable. • Oversee or coordinate accounts payable, receivable, expense accounting and payment processes. Regulatory and statutory reporting • Prepare and coordinate applicable DFSA prudential and financial returns, including submissions through the DFSA Electronic Prudential Reporting System (EPRS), for review and approval by the appropriate designated signatory. • Reconcile regulatory reporting data to the general ledger and underlying records. • Support monitoring of regulatory capital, liquidity and related thresholds, escalating actual or forecast issues promptly. • Coordinate applicable statutory and entity-level financial filings and maintain a calendar of reporting obligations. • Work with Compliance and other teams where regulatory submissions require finance information. Tax compliance • Coordinate preparation and submission of UAE Corporate Tax and VAT returns, where applicable, including supporting calculations, reconciliations and records. • Track tax deadlines, payments and supporting documentation, and coordinate with external tax advisers as needed. • Support the Head of Finance in assessing the financial reporting implications of tax matters. External audit • Coordinate audit timelines, requests, schedules, confirmations and supporting evidence. • Respond to auditor queries and support preparation of the annual financial statements and related audit deliverables. • Track audit findings and agreed actions through to resolution. Management reporting, budgeting and forecasting • Prepare periodic management reports, including profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow, budget-to-actual analysis and commentary. • Identify material variances, emerging risks and trends for discussion with the Head of Finance and relevant budget owners. • Assist with the annual budget, periodic forecasts and scenario analysis. • Provide reliable financial information to support business planning and management decisions. Finance governance, controls and systems • Help build and maintain finance policies, procedures and control documentation, including close, reconciliations, journals, payments, expenses and reporting. • Support appropriate approval limits, segregation of duties, review controls and retention of supporting records. • Monitor control issues and remediation actions, and support internal or regulatory reviews as required. • Help improve finance systems, reporting processes and data quality. Cash and finance operations • Assist with cash and liquidity forecasting and monitoring. • Support banking, payment and cash-management controls. • Maintain effective working relationships with business teams, auditors, tax advisers and other external stakeholders. • At least 7 years of relevant accounting or financial control experience , preferably in financial services. • Experience in a DFSA-authorised firm is strongly preferred ; experience in another regulated financial services environment is also relevant. • Strong practical knowledge of financial accounting, close processes, balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls.