Director-Accounting Operations

The Director-Accounting Operations will effectively lead and manage the Accounting Operations function, through developing and maintaining robust, pragmatic and cost effective financial accounting policies, procedures and controls, which enable the accurate, timely and complete fulfilment of all current and future payments and operational obligations of the business within the prescribed deadlines.

The role also entails establishing proper and adequate controls to protect the integrity of the organizations’ assets while adhering to the approved Board Delegation of Authority (DoA). The position holder will assume full responsibility of the company Accounts Payable, Banking Operations and Finance Policies and Governance. This would require managing the relationships with various banks as well as other internal & external stakeholders. The role will require a high level of alignment across CFO, Finance Directors and all CET and SMT due to a wide range of touch points in the AP/Payroll/Treasury operations.

Accounts Payable

• Responsible for all company payments (providers, members, suppliers and employees)
• Review and authorize external supplier, staff expense claim, and staff benefits payments within authority level (cheque signatory and EFT authoriser)
• Ensure creditors reconciliations and standard accruals at month-end
• Set the standard of payments to creditors are managed as per the agreements / purchase orders and provide directions to the team, whenever necessary, to resolve issues

Internal Controls

• Develop, implement and monitor internal financial controls
• Review and authorize non-supplier, staff, and provider payments and ensure that proper process / procedure has been addressed in order to safeguard the company's assets
• Ensure reviews of GL Account and cost centre allocation, to maintain proper cost centre reporting
• Perform the lead R&C role on systems and projects related to the GL Financial accounting systems, processes, policies, procedures and controls

Banking Operations

• Cash flow management of all payments made and received in a robust controlled manner in order to comply with all internal and external regulatory requirements and standards
• Maintain effective operating bank account relationships, with regard to services, standards and prices with our chosen banking partners (and review our partner preferences periodically).
• Ensure that all cash positions are reconciled in an accurate, robust and timely manner
• Manage and coordinate projects related to cash and bank management
• Work with Corporate Finance Team to agree and execute funds transfer for investment purposes

Financial accounting systems, policies, procedures and controls

• Monitor/propose strategy for new requirements and developments in the financial and insurance fields (Solvency II, Shariah Compliance, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), etc.)
• Develop, implement and maintain robust review and control processes, policies and procedures to support accurate reporting and prevent/detect suspicious transactions
• Develop Finance’s policies and procedures and ensure proper documentation and archive,
• Monitor Finance’s Internal & Risk audits and observations while working closely with relevant stakeholders to manage and resolve observations,
• Ensure adequate reporting of Finance’s IA & Risk agenda to CFO

Fixed Assets

• To develop, implement and maintain proper controls on Capital expenditure and fixed assets "procedures manual" for receipt and recording of fixed assets and projects in process
• To review fixed assets registers with appropriate classification and accounting for Company's assets and make decision on the appropriate category of fixed assets of complex capex items
• To ensure that once per annum physical inspection of fixed assets in coordination and that correctly ensure the calculation of fixed assets impairment
• To conduct a quarterly review of the Company's projects in coordination with the Project Management Office (PMO) and IT team to ensure that Company's projects are appropriately capitalized in the Company's fixed assets register in accordance with IFRS

Shareholders’ Dividends and Capital Management

• To ensure the records of shareholders is well managed including information related to their shares and liaise with corporate governance team in that matter,
• To ensure proper handle of the company’s annual/periodic dividend distribution as well as secure optimal bank deals for execution while monitoring the adequacy of the execution.
• Manage changes in the company’s capital including but not limited to bonus shares while working closely with corporate governance team to ensure proper handle and sale of fraction shares, if any

Staff Management & Development

• Carry out goal setting, manage and constantly review individual performance.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching and development.
• Motivate, empower and enable direct reports by providing the necessary tools and support required to achieve the organizational development objectives

Years of Experience

• 8-12 years’ experience in a Finance and Accounting field required with a minimum 5 years senior Finance level supervisory experience in a publicly listed company    

Skills Required / Experience Areas

• Strong knowledge and experience required of:
  • Internal and external reporting of financial performance versus budgets and forecasts in a corporate environment
  • The implementation and maintenance of an appropriate general ledger system, chart of accounts, and robust      financial accounting policies, procedures, and controls
  • International GAAP and Financial Reporting Standards in a Corporate environment
• The management of internal and external stakeholders in accordance with internal policies, guidelines and regulations
• Strong experience in the leading, managing and development of a multi-cultural, multi-functional, team in a formal corporate environment with formal employee performance management and appraisal processes
• Publicly listed company experience
• Competent in both Arabic and English languages, written and spoken

Other Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
• CA / CPA / CMA Certification desirable