Head - Finance - Retail/Fashion

Position: Head Of Finance

Location: Dubai

Industry: Retail & Fashion

Qualification: Chartered Accountants (CA)

Job Description:

Looking for an experienced Head of Finance to lead the finance and accounting function for its retail and fashion business in Dubai.

The ideal candidate will have 10 - 12 years of strong finance and accounting experience, preferably within the retail, fashion, lifestyle, consumer, or multi-store business environment. The role requires a hands-on finance professional with strong expertise in financial accounting, reporting, month-end closing, budgeting, cash flow management, controls, audit, taxation, and team management.

The successful candidate will manage a finance team of approximately 15 - 20 professionals and work closely with the Group CFO and senior management to ensure strong financial governance, accurate reporting, operational efficiency, and business support.

A good understanding of ERP systems, accounting software, financial automation, BI/reporting tools, and technology-enabled finance processes will be an important advantage.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead the complete accounting and finance function for the business.

- Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing.

- Oversee preparation and review of Profit & Loss statements, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow statements, Trial Balance, Management accounts, and financial analysis/MIS reports.

- Ensure proper accounting of revenue, expenses, accruals, provisions, prepayments, fixed assets, inventory, receivables, payables, and intercompany transactions.

- Review accounting entries, reconciliations, journal postings, provisions and adjustments.

- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and company policies.

- Establish strong financial controls and accounting procedures across the business.

Retail & Fashion Finance:

- Manage finance operations in a retail/fashion environment, preferably involving multiple stores, brands, channels or business units.

- Monitor and analyse store-wise, brand-wise and channel-wise financial performance.

- Oversee accounting and reconciliation of retail sales, POS transactions, online/e-commerce sales, credit card and payment gateway settlements, discounts, promotions, returns, refunds, and gift cards.

- Work closely with the retail and commercial teams to analyse sales, margins, gross profit, operating costs and profitability.

- Monitor inventory accounting, stock valuation, provisions and inventory-related reconciliations.

- Support management in identifying cost-control and profitability improvement opportunities.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Planning:

- Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process.

- Prepare financial budgets in coordination with business heads.

- Develop and monitor monthly forecasts and variance analysis.

- Analyse actual performance against budget and previous periods.

- Provide management with meaningful financial insights and recommendations based on business performance.

- Support business expansion and new-store financial planning, including CAPEX and operating cost analysis.

Cash Flow & Working Capital Management:

- Manage and monitor daily/weekly/monthly cash flow requirements.

- Prepare cash flow forecasts and ensure adequate liquidity.

- Monitor accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory and working capital.

- Ensure timely collection of receivables and appropriate payment planning.

- Coordinate with banks and financial institutions where required.

- Monitor bank reconciliations and treasury-related activities.

Audit, Tax & Compliance:

- Coordinate with internal and external auditors.

- Ensure timely completion of statutory and financial audits.

- Ensure compliance with applicable UAE VAT, corporate tax and other statutory requirements.

Technology & Finance Transformation:

- Drive effective utilisation of ERP/accounting systems and finance technology.

- Work with IT and business teams to improve finance processes through automation.

- Identify opportunities to reduce manual accounting and reporting activities.

Team Leadership & Development:

- Lead and manage a finance and accounting team of approximately 15 - 20 members.

- Allocate responsibilities and establish clear performance objectives.

- Build a strong culture of accountability, accuracy and process discipline.

Business Partnering:

- Partner with senior management, retail operations, procurement, commercial, HR, IT and other business functions.

- Provide financial insights to support commercial and operational decision-making.

- Support senior management in evaluating new stores, business initiatives, investments, cost structures and profitability.

Candidate Profile:

- 10 - 12 years of overall finance and accounting experience.

- Strong hands-on experience in financial accounting and controllership.

- Experience in Retail, Fashion, Lifestyle, Consumer, FMCG or a similar high-volume business environment.

- Experience managing a finance/accounting team of approximately 15 - 20 professionals.

- CA / ACCA / CMA / CPA or equivalent professional qualification would be an advantage.

- UAE / GCC finance experience is preferred.