Position Title: MEA FINANCE DIRECTORSUMMARYReporting to the Global CFO, the MEA Finance Director acts as business partner to the leadership and consultants in the region. You will be responsible for the day to day running of the regional finance function, provision of management reporting, and ensuring integrity and compliance with internal and external rules and regulations.The main duties of the Finance Director include, but are not limited to:- Business partnership and independent advice to leadership- Management Reporting, performance analysis, forecasting and planning (Anaplan)- Statutory compliance, accounting, and audit (including supervision of outsourced financial support)- Tax compliance, in cooperation with local advisors and internal tax team (CIT, VAT, WHT)- Corporate governance, implementation of compliance with group policies- Leadership, development, and support of regional finance teams- Working capital management, cashflow forecasting- Project management Support, RFP, and proposal support- Payroll supervisionSTRUCTURE - Middle East RegionActive legal entities: Dubai (FZ), Abu Dhabi (FZ), Qatar (FZ), Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Turkey, South Africa, Ghana.REPORTING RELATIONSHIPSREPORTS TO: Global CFODOTTED LINE TO: MEA Regional Leader (Senior Partner)COOPERATES WITH: Finance teams in Dubai and Chicago; as well as other functions among others HR, Staffing, Office Management, LegalSUPERVISES: A team of approximately 15 - 20 local accountants and finance team members, as well as outsourcing partners and service providersPRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIESAccounting:- Directs financial accounting and reporting activities including activities to promote and implement best practice, both for IFRS and local GAAP reporting.- Directs preparation of reports which summarize and forecast business activities and financial position of each legal entity, Unit, Industry Practice.- Manages tax compliance and relationship with each national tax offices.- Executes IFRS-GAAP and local GAAP accounting policies and procedures and ensures compliance. Ensures month-end account reconciliation and cash balances are performed. Completion and reviews of various year-end accounting packages. Interfaces with both Internal and External audit functions for both IFRS and local GAAP purposes.- Oversees all accounting activities including but not limited to GL, WIP, AR, AP, treasury management, Fixed assets, Intercompany, Tax Reporting, Payroll support and related matters. Ensures timely processing and reporting.Strategic:- Business partner to the unit and regional leader(s) and local practice leaders and partners - an independent advisor providing support and solutions on financial topics relevant to the region.- Ensures structures and ways of working are optimized for tax, therefore maintains an in-depth, up-to-date understanding of taxes in MEA region.- Profitability review: using a deep understanding of the business accounts to maximize profitability.- Oversees and prepares financial planning and forecasting, reporting and other analysis for the MEA region. Oversees and manages the accuracy of the monthly management accounts, presents the accounts to the unit leader and extracts, and explains the KPIs.- Supports new business proposals to clients and practices, with regard to pricing, resourcing, working capital planning and profitability.- Review of national market entry requirements, planning and monitoring.- Participates in various ad hoc unit/ industry practice or region related projects.- Consults and advises management on financial issues, business development, compliance, risk management.- Lead the review of national market entry, monitoring and review for the ME.- Leads financial and tax due diligence projects and inputs into negotiation processes.- Takes responsibility for leading financial and tax systems integration of acquisitions into Kearney systems and processes.Day to day responsibilities:- Ensures compliance with internal controls and policies as well as regulatory and statutory requirements. Ensures correct revenue recognition for various forms of client engagements per company policy.- Oversees all accounting activities including but not limited to GL, WIP, AR, AP, treasury management, Fixed assets, Intercompany, Tax Reporting and in certain countries responsible for Payroll and related matters. Ensures timely processing and reporting.- Manages working capital by closely following the Work in Progress and Account Receivables as well as interacting with clients to smooth the administrative processes.- Shares knowledge with peers and actively participates in finance projects. Part of the EMEA controller team.- Liaises with HR to support the compensation and benefits issues.- Supports new business proposals to clients with regarding pricing and profitability.Leadership:- Primary point of contact for all matters financial relating to the MEA region. Attend partner meetings as finance representative.- Part of the senior management services team managing and supporting the day to days needs functioning and planning of the local business.- Manages, coaches, develops, and evaluates the MEA Finance team.- Participates in various ad hoc Unit/practice or region related projects.THE SUCCESFUL APPLICANTEducation/Certification- University degree in accounting/finance.- Chartered accountant qualificationRequired Knowledge- Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance and accounting standardso IFRS a musto Local GAAP (among ME countries) an advantage- Good knowledge of audit and tax- Strong command of both oral and written English- Additional languages (Arabic) an advantageExperience Required- Minimum 10 years of professional services, Big 4 or accounting leadership experience in a sizeable global organization, including General Ledger and Subledger activities, budgeting and financial modeling- Team leadership is essential- Experience in MEA region is preferredSkills/Abilities- Commercially minded and experienced in business partnering- Willing to be hands on where necessary in various areas of the accounts but also able to operate effectively amongst senior partners- Highly resilient self-starter with a solution orientated focus- Persuasive business leader with effective verbal and written communication skills- Strong accounting, analytical, numerical, and structural skills- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint- Understanding of Modern Accounting software systems and workflow- Self-driven, highly motivated team player who understands the implications of collaborating in a truly global environment- Ability to work independently, achieve consensus and drive action through to completion- A willingness to look at the detail where necessary but able to provide clear advice on the bigger picture.- Ability to maintain highest degree of precision even under significant time pressure- Experienced in leading and delivering business & organizational change- Familiar with accounting and planning systems, such as SAP, Anaplan, and financial reporting systems, such as PowerBI and TableauWHATS ON OFFER- Competitive remuneration package with all benefits.- Career path offered within a leading global service organization.- Team-based, collaborative, and inspiring working environmentLanguage RequirementsArabic/ English

Kearney