Accounting & Controlling Director

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA? We’re looking for a Director for our Finance Department to join our team. 

• To provide leadership, direction and support to the Financial Accounting & Management Information Team
• To set vision, strategy and goals of Financial Accounting & MI  function in SMBC Dubai & all ME offices.
• To ensure SMBC Dubai & all ME offices (including SMBC BI ADGM) are in compliance with Financial Accounting Standards and Regulations at all times in line with regulatory expectations.
• Own reporting and delivery of internal and external financial reporting for SMBC Dubai & all ME offices (including SMBC BI ADGM), and drive alignment and consistency
• Develop data driven “Management Information Pack” for SMBC Dubai & ME region (including SMBC BI ADGM) for Head of Finance & Senior Management.
• Effectively coordinating with Dubai Regulatory & Dubai Tax team for all Financial Accounting, Financial reporting and Management Information reporting.   
• Act as custodian of all financial data / chart of account, responsible for providing accurate, specific & timely financial data & information to Regulatory & Tax team when requested to meet regulatory obligation.
• Lead various audit mission, Internal and external audit for SMBC Dubai or ME offices. 

Business Area

The role is responsible for the effective coordination, delivery and communication for SMBC Dubai & all ME offices on Financial Audits Accounting and Reporting , Management Information and driving regional initiatives.

Key Stakeholders:

• ME Head of Finance
• EMEA Finance team colleagues
• Dubai Regulatory & Tax team colleagues
• Front Office / Functional leads
• Operations team, HR, Internal & External Audit

The role is responsible for:

• Liaising with ME Head of Finance in relation to Financial Statements and External Audit.
• Responsible for all Financial Accounting and reporting for SMBC Dubai & all ME offices (including SMBC BI ADGM)., through effective management of wider financial accounting team
• Managing and delivering timey & accurately  “Management Information Packs” for SMBC Dubai & ME region (including SMBC BI ADGM).
• To ensure SMBC Dubai & all ME offices (including SMBC BI ADGM) are in compliance with Financial Accounting Standards and Regulations at all times in line with regulatory expectations.
• Act as custodian of all financial data / chart of account, responsible for providing accurate, specific & timely financial data & information to Regulatory & Tax team when requested to meet regulatory obligation.
• Lead various audit mission, Internal and external audit for SMBC Dubai or ME offices.  

Position Description

• Responsible for the preparation of Audited Financial Statements and handling the related annual audit for SMBC Dubai & all ME offices
• Develop “Management Information Packs” on various financial and analytical parameters to support senior management in effective decision making.
• Ensures SMBC Dubai & all ME offices are in compliance with accounting standards at all times, by monitoring external developments, setting SMBC Dubai & all ME offices accounting policies in line with IFRS taking into account the Bank’s business objectives, and ensuring all products and bookings are in line with these policies.
• High quality understanding of treasury related activities like hedge accounting, Fx management, derivatives etc.
• High quality oversight and support to the end-to-end financial accounting processes associated
• Supporting Dubai head of finance in preparing Financial Projections for “Regulatory Business Plan”
• Responsible for providing ‘ROI” related information to senior management under different methodologies.
• Managing TPRM activities related F&C Dubai.
• Responsible for New Products (NPS)review and providing FO advisory services in relation to existing and proposed transactions Responsible for maintaining the relationship and delivery with statutory Auditors,
• Support SASSA CFO (outsourced)  by providing effective oversight.
• Enhance the quality and increasing the number of policy and technical documentation to ensure the Bank has a robust process and suitable level of documentation on accounting conclusions and is in line with good market practice.
• Responsible for Cost Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting.
• Continuously enhance and evolve management information to cater to dynamic internal reporting requirements
• Lead the external & internal audit and production of the SMBC Dubai & all ME offices financial statements,
• Lead on providing finance input into complex transactions and working towards optimal business outcomes.
• Assess business impact and analysis of new accounting standards and prepare the organisation for compliance.
• Responsible for SMBC Dubai & all ME offices monthly, quarterly, and annual book closing and Internal head office reporting.
• Ensures effective financial controls are in place to maintain the integrity of the financial reporting.
• Drives change (improvements, enhancement, efficiencies, controls) by setting appropriate goals and objectives for the team and managing their successful delivery
• Collaborates and drives delivery across the wider team. Take ownership of optimising operating model to give consistent and standardised outputs
• Ensure  policy, procedure and guidance note are developed and established for each relevant activities and the same are updated on regular basis.
• Lead various automation initiative and coordinate with external & internal stakeholders for implementing various automation solution for Accounting & Control section within the region.
• Act as project sponsor/manager or participate on EMEA wide projects by lending specialist skill, knowledge and experience on accounting in order to achieve project objective.
• Proactive knowledge sharing of new / relevant topics across teams
• Show clear vision to Financial Accounting team and motivate & positively support team staff to achieve the goals. 
• Manage financial accounting team expectations and continuously guide & train them on various day to day matters to ensure smooth operations of finance function.
• Monitor wellbeing of financial accounting team members to ensure health work culture in the team.

Short Description

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Experience of operating in a complex multinational environment.
• Extensive experience of financial accounting and reporting and managing a team of professionals.
• Able to communicate with impact and effectively with staff at all levels, with particular focus on the bank’s senior staff. The ability to understand complex issues, present and explain to audiences from a range of backgrounds effectively is vital.
• High quality understanding of treasury related activities like hedge accounting, Fx management, derivatives etc.
• Good knowledge and experience of Automation of processes and driving process efficiencies.
• Extensive and detailed knowledge of IFRS, GAAPs and related reporting requirements and regulations as applied to a Global Bank including related aspects such as consolidation reporting.
• Extensive experience of providing leadership to a Finance team and leading and managing a team finance of professionals.
• Highly numerate, with strong technical and functional knowledge plus demonstrable track record in overall financial expertise.
• Ability to prioritise and manage expectations to senior management and stakeholders.
• Ability to offer strategic solutions and drive the team forward to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Able to understand complex concepts, challenge them and provide explanations in a clear and precise way
• Experience and demonstrable success in delivery of projects.
• Observes the conduct rules and standards and maintains high standards of ethics, honesty and integrity
• Able to manage complexity and ambiguity effectively.
• ACCA/ ICAEW/ CIMA or equivalent qualifications preferred.

Leadership skills 

• Vision: Show clear vision to lead the group and contribute to the overall Finance team strategy. 
• Promotes Diversity, Inclusion and Equality in all management decision making to create an environment where everyone can flourish and achieve their potential
• Managing team expectations and developing them effectively.

 Management skills 

• Teamwork: Positively support team staff to achieve the goal 
• Control: Check and manage the progress and the status of tasks in the team
• Training: Respect the individual skill and give appropriate guidance individually 

Competencies

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

• Hybrid and flexible working 
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance 
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services  
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities 
• Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!