:Company: Established in 1992 in U.S.A with current global Head Quarters in Dubai (UAE) and presence in nine different countries, GMS is the world\'s LARGEST Buyer of ships and offshore vessels for recycling. The group has now expanded and diversified in to ship ownership, sports (football club ownership), real estate, and other sectors and is going through a period of strong growth.Job Scope: We are looking for a VP Finance & Accounting with exceptional accounting and analytical skills to add value and improve our operations by bringing a systematic and disciplined approach to the accounting function. Reporting directly to the Group CFO, the role will be responsible for the following:Job ResponsibilitiesConsolidation and Financial Reporting

• Lead the consolidation process for the group, ensuring accurate and timely consolidation of financial statements for multiple entities and business units.

• Coordinate with regional finance teams to gather and validate financial data, eliminating discrepancies and ensuring consistency across reporting entities.

• Perform inter company reconciliations and eliminations to eliminate duplicate transactions and achieve a single, accurate view of group financial performance.

• Prepare consolidated financial statements and management reports for presentation to executive leadership and external stakeholders.

• Lead the preparation and analysis of monthly financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and key performance indicators (KPIs

• Maintain a comprehensive management reporting package, tailored to the needs of the executive leadership team

General Ledger (GL) Management and Month-End Close

• Oversee the month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring adherence to established timelines and accuracy in financial reporting.

• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, and accruals to verify completeness and accuracy of GL transactions.

• Implement best practices for GL management, including chart of accounts maintenance, cost center allocations, and accounting policies documentation.

Financial Systems and Process Improvement

• Evaluate existing financial systems, processes, and controls related to consolidation and GL management, identifying areas for improvement.

• Drive initiatives to enhance automation, standardization, and efficiency in consolidation, reporting, and GL operations.

• Partner with IT to implement system enhancements, upgrades, and integrations to support evolving business needs.

• Provide training and support to finance staff on system usage, reporting requirements, and best practices for consolidation and GL activities.

Tax Compliance and Strategy

• Oversee all aspects of tax compliance for the group, including income tax, VAT/GST, and other indirect taxes across multiple jurisdictions (with a specific focus on the UAE and US)

• Ensure timely and accurate filing of tax returns, including coordination with external tax advisors and authorities to meet regulatory requirements

• Develop and implement tax strategies to optimize the group\'s tax position, minimize tax risks, and enhance tax efficiency

• Stay abreast of changes in tax legislation and regulations, assessing their potential impact on the business and recommending appropriate actions.

ERP Optimization

• Lead ERP system upgrades, and enhancements, collaborating with IT and cross-functional teams to ensure successful deployment

• Act as the gatekeeper for assigning access to various modules / workflows

• Conduct user training and support to ensure effective utilization of ERP functionalities, promoting standardization and best practices across the organization

• Continuously evaluate and optimize ERP system performance, identifying opportunities for process automation, workflow improvements, and data integrity enhancements.

Financial Reporting

• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements

• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. Provide insightful analysis and commentary on financial performance to aid decision-making.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process, working closely with department heads to develop accurate and achievable budgets aligned with strategic goals.

• Prepare financial forecasts and projections based on historical data, market trends, and business drivers to support long-term planning and decision-making.

• Monitor budget performance and provide regular updates to management, highlighting areas of concern and recommending corrective actions as needed

Internal Controls and Compliance

• Establish and maintain robust internal control procedures to safeguard company assets and ensure the accuracy of financial data.

• Lead the external audit and liaise with auditors to address any findings or recommendations.

• Monitor compliance with taxation, reporting, and other legal requirements across all jurisdictions.

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and execute financial strategies aligned with corporate objectives.

• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to drive business growth, operational efficiency, and cost optimization.

• Participate in strategic decision-making processes, including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures

Financial Leadership and Team Management

• Provide leadership and guidance to the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

• Mentor and develop finance staff, providing training and opportunities for growth and advancement within the organization

• Collaborate with other departments and senior management to support strategic initiatives, optimize financial performance, and drive business growth

Financial Planning and Analysis

• Develop and implement financial planning strategies to support business objectives

• Prepare and present financial forecasts, budgets, and variance analyses to senior management

• Conduct financial analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.

RequirementsPreferred Qualifications / skills

• Chartered Accountant with 10+ years of post-qualification experience

• Experienced financial controller with a keen attention to detail

• Extensive experience in leading on financial consolidation and reporting

• Proficiency in financial reporting tools and software, including ERP systems, BI tools (e.g., Power BI), and Microsoft Excel are a significant advantage

• Proven ability to manage month-end and year-end close processes in a multi-entity, cross currency environment, meeting tight deadlines and ensuring accuracy.

• Track record of preparing financial statements in accordance with IFRS and leading the external audit process

• Demonstrated experience of leading a finance team, ability to work to deadlines and communicate well with the ExCom

GMS