Head of Financial Governance

A leading financial services entity in Abu Dhabi is looking to hire a Head of Financial Governance to oversee its financial controls, internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) and governance framework across the group. This is a senior-level opportunity within a complex investment environment, working closely with finance leadership and teams across multiple businesses and jurisdictions. The role will focus on strengthening financial controls, improving reporting quality and ensuring consistent governance standards across the organisation. A strong global background is essential, whether gained within a Big Four firm or in industry. Experience in asset management, private equity and/or sovereign wealth funds is a must for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the group’s ICFR framework, ensuring it is effective and aligned with COSO 2013 principles.

• Oversee control assessments, testing, identification of weaknesses and remediation plans across relevant entities and business platforms.

• Strengthen controls around financial reporting, month-end and year-end close, reconciliations and management sign-offs.

• Ensure financial controls operate effectively across business processes, systems and applications.

• Monitor control performance and report key findings, outstanding issues and remediation progress to senior management and relevant governance committees.

• Review and improve finance policies, procedures, delegation of authority and internal control standards.

• Work closely with Finance, Risk, Internal Audit, Technology and external auditors to address control matters and maintain strong governance.

• Manage external consultants and advisers supporting ICFR and financial control initiatives.

• Identify opportunities to automate and simplify controls, improve consistency and reduce manual processes.

• Lead and develop a team of professionals across financial governance and internal controls.

Requirements

• 15–18 years of experience across internal controls, ICFR, risk assurance, audit or financial governance.

• Strong global experience gained within a Big Four firm or in industry.

• Mandatory sector experience in asset management, private equity and/or sovereign wealth funds.

• Background in Big Four Risk Assurance, with hands-on experience designing, implementing or assessing ICFR or SOX-style control programmes.

• Relevant professional qualification, such as CIA, CISA or equivalent.

• Strong knowledge of COSO 2013, SOX principles, risk-based assessments, control testing and remediation.

If this sounds relevant to your background, feel free to reach out for a confidential discussion: patricia.deguzman@robertwalters.com

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.