Manager - Accounts and Finance

How you will make an impact (Key responsibilities):

1) Financial Reporting & Statutory Compliance

• Own the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS and applicable UAE regulatory requirements.

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all real estate asset portfolios including development projects, investment properties, and lease portfolios.

• Manage all statutory filings, VAT returns, corporate tax compliance, and liaison with regulatory authorities.

• Oversee the preparation of consolidated financial statements and ensure group reporting deadlines are consistently met.

• Design, implement, and enforce internal financial controls to protect company assets and ensure governance across all entities.

2) Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Financial Planning

• Lead the end-to-end annual budgeting and multi-year financial planning cycle for Kora Properties in alignment with the broader Apparel Group strategy.

• Develop and maintain rolling forecasts, scenario models, and sensitivity analyses to support leadership decision-making in a dynamic real estate market.

• Deliver comprehensive monthly performance packs covering revenues, OPEX, CAPEX, NOI, EBITDA, and variance commentary versus budget and prior year.

• Partner with development and asset management teams to provide financial evaluation of new projects, acquisitions, disposals, and capital expenditure proposals.

• Identify and drive cost optimization, yield improvement, and OPEX efficiencies across the real estate portfolio.

3) Real Estate Finance & Asset Management Support

• Manage financial oversight of property development projects including cost tracking, draw schedules, milestone billing, and project-level P&L reporting.

• Maintain accurate accounting for investment properties under IAS 40 including fair value assessments, depreciation, and impairment reviews.

• Oversee lease accounting in compliance with IFRS 16 including right-of-use assets, lease liabilities, and associated disclosures.

• Support feasibility studies and investment return models (IRR, NPV, yield, payback) for new real estate developments and acquisitions.

• Liaise with valuers, quantity surveyors, and project consultants to validate financial inputs and ensure cost controls are maintained.

4) Treasury, Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Oversee daily treasury operations, cash flow planning, and liquidity management to ensure the business meets its financial obligations at all times.

• Manage accounts payable and receivable for property-related transactions including rental collections, contractor payments, and service charges.

• Coordinate with banks and financial institutions on financing facilities, loan drawdowns, covenant compliance, and reporting requirements.

• Prepare accurate short- and long-term cash flow forecasts and proactively escalate liquidity risks to the CFO.

• Optimize working capital across tenant deposits, service charge pools, and supplier payment terms.

5) Audit, Risk & Governance

• Lead the internal and external audit process from planning through to sign-off, serving as the primary point of contact for all auditors.

• Prepare and review all audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation to ensure a clean and efficient audit cycle.

• Proactively identify financial and operational risks; implement mitigation measures and maintain the financial risk register.

• Ensure adherence to Apparel Group financial policies, delegation of authority frameworks, and accounting manuals across all entities.

• Drive continuous improvements to financial processes, controls, and systems to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and auditability.

What you will bring – Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration; Master's/MBA is a plus.
• Professional qualification mandatory — CA, CPA, ACCA, or CMA.
• 10–13 years in finance & accounting, with 4–5 years in a managerial role with direct team leadership.
• Real estate, property development, or construction experience essential; GCC exposure preferred.
• Strong IFRS knowledge - IAS 40, IFRS 15, IFRS 16, and IFRS 9.
• Expertise in financial modelling, project finance, investment appraisal, and asset-level P&L.
• Sound knowledge of UAE VAT, corporate tax, and statutory compliance.  Proven track record of independently managing external audits with clean outcomes.
• Proficient in SAP, Oracle, or Yardi; advanced Excel skills essential.
• Strong analytical, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• High integrity, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Life at Apparel Group – Why to join us:

At Apparel Group, you’ll be part of a vibrant, multicultural community powering some of the world’s most loved brands across markets. It’s a place where every day brings new opportunities to learn, collaborate and make an impact, whether that’s creating exceptional experiences for our customers, bringing new ideas to life or taking your career in a new direction. We give our people the opportunity to take ownership, grow through experiences and work alongside diverse talent, while being part of a business that is constantly evolving. Come grow with us, shape what’s next and make your mark.

Here you will find:

Community & Growth - a respectful, team-driven environment with room to learn and lead.

Purpose - meaningful work that connects people through our brands and service.

Diversity - an inclusive culture that values unique backgrounds and ideas.