Financial Controller

Job Title: Financial Controller – Real Estate Development Group

Reporting to: Group CFO
Location: UAE
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Purpose

The Financial Controller is responsible for end-to-end financial control, statutory reporting, and group consolidation across multiple real estate development entities, SPVs, and joint ventures. The role ensures IFRS-compliant financial statements, robust internal controls, and full compliance with UAE real estate regulatory, tax, and escrow requirements, while supporting executive management and the Board.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Control & Reporting

· Oversee the full accounting cycle across development entities and SPVs (GL, AP, AR, FA, payroll, accruals, WIP).

· Ensure timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing at entity and group level.

· Prepare and review standalone and consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS.

· Ensure accurate accounting for:

o Off-plan sales and revenue recognition (IFRS 15)

o Construction costs, work-in-progress, and capitalization

o Investment properties (IAS 40)

o Joint ventures and associates (IFRS 11 / IAS 28)

o Leases (IFRS 16)

o Long-term land arrangements (e.g., Musataha)

2. Group Consolidation

· Manage group consolidation including intercompany reconciliations, eliminations, and minority interest.

· Ensure accurate JV reporting and equity accounting.

· Maintain and control a group-wide Chart of Accounts (COA) aligned with management and statutory reporting.

· Support consolidation through ERP or consolidation tools (Oracle / SAP / D365 or equivalent).

3. Regulatory Compliance & Escrow Control

· Ensure compliance with UAE real estate regulations, including project-specific escrow requirements.

· Oversee escrow account accounting, movements, and reconciliations.

· Coordinate mandatory escrow audits and statutory audits with external auditors.

· Ensure compliance with UAE VAT and Corporate Tax regulations.

· Maintain strong accounting policies, SOPs, and internal control frameworks.

4. Audit, Governance & Risk

· Act as primary finance contact for external auditors, regulators, and advisors.

· Ensure smooth execution of statutory, tax, and escrow audits with minimal adjustments.

· Support the CFO in strengthening financial governance, DOA, and control environment.

· Identify financial risks and recommend control and process improvements.

5. Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis

· Support preparation and monitoring of annual budgets and rolling forecasts.

· Perform variance analysis (budget vs actual) at project, entity, and group level.

· Support project feasibility reviews, cost control, and margin analysis.

· Provide timely financial insights to senior management for decision-making.

6. Systems & Process Improvement

· Lead or support ERP implementation and finance digitization initiatives.

· Ensure proper system configuration for:

o Project accounting

o Escrow tracking

o Revenue recognition

o Consolidation and reporting

· Drive standardization and automation of finance processes across the group.

7. Team Leadership & Management

· Lead, mentor, and review the work of chief accountants and senior accountants across subsidiaries and JVs.

· Ensure consistency, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting across entities.

· Build a strong financial control and compliance culture.

Qualifications & Certifications (Mandatory)

· Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

· Professional certification required:

o ACCA / CPA / CA / CMA

· Strong technical knowledge of IFRS, particularly IFRS 15, IFRS 16, and consolidation standards.

Experience Requirements

· 8–12 years of progressive accounting and finance experience.

· Minimum 3–5 years in a Financial Controller, Senior Finance Manager, or equivalent role.

· Proven experience in:

o Real estate development

o Group consolidation

o Multi-entity / SPV environments

· UAE experience is highly preferred.

Systems & Technical Skills

· ERP experience (Oracle, SAP, D365, or equivalent).

· Advanced Excel and financial reporting skills.

· Experience with project-based accounting and consolidation tools.

· Strong understanding of UAE tax and real estate regulatory environment.

Key Competencies

· Strong governance and compliance mindset.

· High attention to detail with ability to manage group-level complexity.

· Clear communicator with auditors, banks, and senior management.

· Hands-on, structured, and deadline-driven.

· High integrity and professional judgment.

Job Type: Full-time

Application Question(s):

• 1. How do you recognize revenue for off-plan real estate sales under IFRS?
• 2. How do you treat construction costs and work-in-progress (WIP) in a development project?
• 3. How do you account for joint ventures at group level?
• 4. What are the key controls around escrow accounts in real estate development?
• 5. Which accounting systems and ERP platforms have you used?

Work Location: Remote