Head of Accounting, IFRS & Financial Control

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesReporting to: Chief Financial OfficerThe OpportunityOur client is a high-growth, regulated financial services business operating at the intersection of technology, financial markets, and emerging asset classes.The organisation is at an exciting stage of development, combining the pace and entrepreneurial mindset of a growth business with the governance, control, and regulatory expectations of an established financial institution.They are looking to appoint a Head of Accounting to build and lead a high-quality accounting function, providing strong financial governance while supporting the business as it scales.This is an opportunity for an experienced accounting professional to take significant ownership of the finance function and work closely with the CFO and senior leadership team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape processes, strengthen controls, develop the team, and help establish the infrastructure required to support continued growth.The RoleThe Head of Accounting will have end-to-end responsibility for the accounting function, including financial reporting, management accounts, IFRS reporting, financial controls, regulatory reporting support, audit coordination, and period-end close.The role will operate across both technical accounting and finance operations, requiring someone who is comfortable being hands-on while also taking a strategic view of how the finance function should evolve.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the end-to-end accounting function and maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.Own monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.Prepare management accounts, financial reporting packs, and analysis for the CFO and senior management.Lead the preparation of annual and interim financial statements under IFRS and applicable local requirements.Establish and maintain appropriate accounting policies and ensure consistent application across a complex and evolving transaction environment.Oversee reconciliations across bank accounts, payment providers, custodians, operational systems, and other financial records.Maintain a strong financial control environment, including review, approval, reconciliation, and balance-sheet substantiation processes.Coordinate the preparation of financial information required for applicable regulatory reporting and capital adequacy requirements.Ensure alignment between regulatory reporting, management reporting, statutory financial statements, and underlying accounting records.Lead the external audit process and manage accounting-related audit deliverables and relationships.Coordinate accounting support for tax and other statutory filings alongside external advisers.Lead and develop the Finance Operations team across core accounting and transactional activities.Identify opportunities to improve, automate, and scale accounting processes, controls, reconciliations, and reporting.Support the development and implementation of finance systems, ERP solutions, and reporting infrastructure.Partner with senior stakeholders across Finance, Risk, Compliance, Treasury, Operations, and Product on new initiatives, transactions, and regulatory requirements.Help build a scalable finance function capable of supporting the organisation through its next phase of growth.Candidate ProfileWe are looking for an experienced accounting leader who combines strong technical accounting capability with commercial judgement, operational discipline, and a willingness to build.The ideal candidate will have:A recognised professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, ACA, CPA, CA, or equivalent.Strong practical knowledge of IFRS, financial reporting, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, financial controls, and financial close.Experience within a regulated financial services, banking, fintech, payments, brokerage, trading, or technology-led financial environment.Proven experience preparing management accounts, statutory financial statements, and audit deliverables.Experience supporting regulatory reporting and, ideally, capital adequacy requirements.Exposure to complex, high-volume, or technology-enabled transaction environments.Experience managing or supervising an accounting or finance operations team.Experience improving finance systems, reporting processes, reconciliations, or controls.Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, combined with exceptional attention to detail.The ability to operate effectively in an environment where processes are still being developed and priorities can move quickly.Excellent communication skills and the confidence to work with senior stakeholders.Strong written and spoken English.Experience with digital assets or other emerging financial products would be advantageous, but is not essential for candidates who bring strong regulated financial services experience and the ability to learn quickly.Culture & Working EnvironmentThe organisation has an entrepreneurial, high-performance culture with a strong emphasis on ownership, accountability, and execution.It is not a traditional corporate environment. Candidates should be comfortable operating with a degree of ambiguity, building processes where they do not yet exist, and making decisions without relying on extensive layers of hierarchy.At the same time, the business operates within a regulated environment, so quality, accuracy, governance, and risk awareness are fundamental.The successful candidate is likely to be someone who:Takes ownership and follows through on commitments.Has high standards and is unwilling to compromise on the quality of financial reporting.Is comfortable being hands-on while building for scale.Can balance speed with appropriate control and judgement.Enjoys solving problems rather than simply managing established processes.Is intellectually curious and willing to investigate issues thoroughly.Communicates clearly and works effectively across different functions.Thrives in an ambitious environment where there is significant opportunity to influence outcomes.Why Consider the Opportunity?This is a particularly interesting opportunity for an accounting professional who wants to move beyond maintaining an established finance function and help build one.The role offers significant exposure to the CFO and senior leadership, broad ownership across accounting and financial control, and the opportunity to establish processes and infrastructure within a growing regulated business.The successful candidate will join at a stage where their contribution can have a visible impact on the organisation's development and will have scope to grow their remit as the business expands.The organisation offers a competitive package, performance-related compensation, comprehensive benefits, and flexible working arrangements.