Financial Controller

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871 in Hannover/Germany, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2022, Continental generated sales of EUR 39.4 billion and currently employs around 200,000 people around the world.

ABOUT OUR GROUP SECTOR / BUSINESS AREA

The Tires Group Sector is responsible for tire sales worldwide. Within the Business Area Tires RE EMEA and with MENA locations in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Morocco, we serve, in close cooperation with our partner network, our customers by selling multi-brand passenger light vehicle tires, truck tires and specialty tires in over 20 countries of the region.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Financial Controller is responsible for delivering high-quality financial reporting, strategic insights, and performance analysis to support business decision-making. This role involves close coordination with senior management, department heads, and HQ to ensure accurate budgeting, forecasting, and financial control across multiple markets.

Responsible for the compliance of all financial processes in their field of business with regards to legal requirements, internal policies, procedures and standards. Steering and supervising those processes, which are governed by the corporate guidelines (e.g. capital- and personnel request processes, expense processes, credit management, allocation processes)

Financial Planning, Reporting, and Analysis

• Monthly management reporting and KPI analysis. Develop/prepare financial analysis on a monthly basis, including risk minimization plans and opportunity forecasting via monthly forecast process. Provide a high-level financial reporting and analysis.
• Providing analysis and strategic insight to local senior management on a proactive and as-requested basis. Ensuring the timely delivery of financial and management reporting produced to the highest standards, by way of conducting self-reviews on the company's financials (P&L) on a top / detailed level ensuring accuracy and reasonableness prior to closing of books.
• Preparing month-end reports for management / functional managers, including profit and loss statements, margins overview, forecast accuracy tracker, and the likes.
• Producing monthly management accounts, financial reports (i.e. sales-margins performance & outlook, period expenses overview, etc.) with strict adherence to company standards and timetables from HQ (via monthly closing process). Preparing, tracking, analyzing, reporting, and monitoring performance against forecasts and budgets.

Budgeting

• Steer the annual budget process (timelines & deliverables) in close coordination with the Head of Finance.
• Initiate & prepare the budget reports required including consolidation of two (2) Markets (Middle East & North Africa).
• Coordinate and collect data from department heads / cost owners for inputs, review and consolidation. Review and submit budget reports and deliverables to HQ. Initiate and attend budget meetings, if required.

Financial Performance Control

• Review and upload (via SAP) actual & forecast numbers on a monthly/quarterly basis (i.e. sales units, pricing, period expenses, and other cost) and ensure the accuracy and reliability of data uploaded in the financial system.
• Continue to seek improvement opportunities / efficiencies and reduce costs across the business. Overhead and expenditure control via developing/providing financial reviews (i.e. Period Exp reviews with cost owners) and make challenge & provide advice/inputs. Guide department leaders in achieving departmental goals and provide valuable inputs in the creation of control measures to ensure cost efficiency in all financial related activities i.e. department fixed cost.
• Work closely with management teams to share reports and analysis findings. Maintain an in-depth understanding of the key drivers of the business to derive clear and succinct analyses of ongoing financial performance.
• Recommend changes in processes that will improve financial performance.
• Review and approve Sales / Marketing Credit Notes and Debit Notes ensuring completeness of supporting documents, accuracy of calculations, and compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Prepare eCR (capital request) for any investment and capital requirement ensuring completeness and accuracy of supporting documentation including required approvals. Prepare- and publish sales dashboard on a weekly basis.

Internal Controls

• Serve as the organization's point of contact / coordinator for the General Risk & Compliance Risk Management quarterly reporting (in close coordination with HQ & local Head of Finance).
• Support the maintenance of eSR (Review & Approval Authorizations) in the company.

Legal and Compliance

• Provide strategic support to the Head of Finance on critical legal and regulatory matters, ensuring alignment with local and international compliance standards. Act as a key liaison for legal risk assessment, contract governance, and regulatory reporting, while also offering backup and advisory support on tax-related issues. Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to safeguard the company's legal integrity and fiscal responsibility across jurisdictions

Others

• Mentor and provide clear guidance on financial reports to peers/colleagues. Continually seek to improve productivity and efficiency through the development of processes and controls.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION

• Accounting/Business bachelor's degree, CPA, CMA
• Master in Financial Management, Business Administration is a plus

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• 5-8 years of experience in similar role, in Multinational environment
• Solid background in accounting
• Solid background in reporting and financial analysis
• Good understanding of Tax Regulations in UAE and Gulf Region is a plus