Manager Finance

Tuesday, 9 January 2024

Job Title: Manager, Finance and Accounts

Location: Corporate Research and Investigations Limited

Department: Finance and Accounting

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer

Position Overview:

The Manager of Finance and Accounts at
Corporate Research and Investigations Limited
will be pivotal in overseeing and managing the financial health and integrity of the company and its subsidiaries, including the
ABAC Center of Excellence Limited
. This position involves developing financial strategies, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, leading budgeting and forecasting processes, and providing financial insights to support strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Corporate Financial Oversight:

·      Oversee and manage the financial health of Corporate Research and Investigations Limited and its subsidiaries.

·      Develop and implement financial policies and procedures adhering to industry standards and regulations.

·      Monitor and report on financial performance to the CFO and senior management, focusing on group-level implications.

1. Budgeting and Forecasting for the Group:

·      Lead the budgeting process across the group, collaborating with department heads to establish financial targets and goals.

·      Develop financial forecasts, analyse variances, and provide insights into group financial performance.

1. Group Financial Reporting:

·      Ensure accurate, timely financial reporting for the company and its subsidiaries.

·      Prepare and present consolidated financial statements reflecting the group's comprehensive financial position.

1. Internal Control and Compliance:

·      Establish robust internal control systems across the group.

·      Conducted regular audits and oversaw monthly closing of books to maintain financial integrity.

1. Tax Strategy and Compliance:

·      Manage tax planning and compliance across the group.

·      Coordinate with tax advisors to ensure optimal tax positioning and adherence to regulations.

1. Management of Intercompany Transactions:

·      Oversee and reconcile intercompany transactions within the group.

·      Ensure accurate elimination of intercompany balances in financial statements.

1. Leadership in Finance and Accounting Teams:

·      Lead, manage, and develop the accounting and finance teams across the group.

·      Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development within the finance department.

1. Strategic Financial Planning:

·      Contribute to the development and execution of the group's financial strategy.

·      Provide key financial insights to support strategic business decisions.

1. Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance:

·      Proactively identify and manage financial risks.

·      Keep abreast of accounting standards and regulations changes, ensuring group compliance.

1. Effective Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:

·      Collaborate effectively with executives and department heads within the group.

·      Communicate financial information and strategies clearly to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications:

·      Proven experience in financial management and accounting, preferably in a similar industry.

·      Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop a team.

·      Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

·      Advanced knowledge of financial regulations, tax laws, and industry standards.

·      Strategic thinker with a strong analytical mindset.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
for the Manager of Finance and Accounts at Corporate Research and Investigations Limited, tailored to reflect a more personalised approach for the company:

KPI Category

KPI Description

Quarterly Evaluation Criteria at Corporate Research and Investigations Limited

Corporate Financial Health

Growth in profitability and cost reduction for the group.

Percentage increase in group profitability; Decreased operational costs compared to the previous quarter.

Financial reserve-to-liability ratio for the group.

Increase in the ratio compared to the previous quarter.

Budget Management

Accuracy in group budget forecasting.

Percentage variance between forecasted and actual figures for the group.

The variance between actual and budgeted figures for each company.

Reduction in variance percentage for each company compared to the previous quarter.

Group Reporting Accuracy

Timeliness and accuracy of group financial reports.

Number of on-time group reports; Number of post-reporting errors or adjustments.

Error frequency in group reporting.

Reduction in the frequency of group reporting errors or adjustments compared to the previous quarter.

Internal Control Compliance

Audit findings and resolutions for the group.

Reduction in group audit findings; Number of resolutions implemented across companies.

Efficiency in monthly closing of group books.

Reduction in the average time taken for monthly closing across companies.

Tax Strategy and Compliance

Group's effective tax rate alignment with industry standards.

Align or improve the group's effective tax rate compared to industry standards.

Tax-related penalties or adjustments for the group.

Reduction in the number of group tax penalties or adjustments.

Intercompany Financial Integrity

Timeliness and accuracy of intercompany reconciliations.

Increase in timely and accurate reconciliations between group companies.

Resolution of intercompany discrepancies.

Reduction in unresolved discrepancies between group companies.

Team Leadership and Development

Employee retention rate in the finance and accounting teams.

Increase in the retention rate of finance and accounting staff compared to the previous quarter.

Satisfaction and performance ratings within finance teams.

Improvement in finance team satisfaction and performance ratings.

Strategic Financial Leadership

The number of strategic financial initiatives led.

Increase in strategic financial initiatives benefiting the group.

Impact of financial strategies on group business growth.

The demonstrable positive impact of financial strategies on group business growth metrics.

Risk Management and Adaptation

Identification and mitigation of financial risks for the group.

Increase in successfully identified and mitigated financial risks for the group.

Adaptation to regulatory changes and standards.

Proactive compliance and adaptation to new financial regulatory changes impacting the group.

Effective Stakeholder Communication

Quality of financial communication with group stakeholders.

Improvement in quality of financial communication as perceived by group stakeholders.

Effectiveness in conveying financial strategies and insights to the group.

Enhanced effectiveness in communicating financial strategies and insights to internal and external group stakeholders.

Additional Role Expectations – Governance, Compliance & Automation (2025 Update)

Area

Enhanced Expectation

Rationale / Compliance Reference

System Usage & Reconciliation

Ensure 100% compliance in using Zoho Books (or future ERP) for all invoicing, journals, intercompany entries, reconciliations, and monthly closings.

Addresses existing operational gaps; ensures audit trail and data integrity across entities.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure full compliance with IFRS, UAE Corporate Tax Law, ZATCA (KSA) Transfer Pricing, and applicable VAT obligations.

Meets local statutory and international accounting standards.

Qualifications

Minimum 7 years in accounting/finance, with at least 3 years in group-level consolidation roles. ACCA, CPA, CA, or CMA qualification mandatory.

Ensures technical competency and readiness for multinational compliance.

Documentation & Controls

No journal entry, intercompany adjustment, or manual posting should be processed without proper supporting documentation and approval trail.

Promotes internal control, reduces audit exceptions, and aligns with SOX-lite principles.

Cost Allocation & Intercompany Billing

Responsible for implementing and maintaining documented intercompany billing and cost allocation policy with appropriate memos and audit support.

Prevents misuse of financial adjustments and improves group-level transparency.

Stakeholder Communication

Translate financial data into actionable insights for Group CEO, COO, and department heads, including structured monthly updates.

Enhances strategic decision-making and performance visibility.

Automation & Efficiency

Champion the use of automation tools (e.g., Zoho workflow rules, Excel integrations, or dashboards) to reduce manual work and improve accuracy.

Ensures operational efficiency and better use of available systems.

Historical Record Corrections

Take full ownership of reconciling and correcting legacy issues in financial records, specifically from December 2025 onwards, including overdue invoices and unreconciled items.

Supports organizational recovery and aligns with ongoing CFO/CEO expectations.