Head of Finance & Chief Accountant

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Company's accounting and financial policies, reporting framework aligned with IFRS, the Law on Accounting, and CBAR requirements.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with CBAR financial reporting requirements, capital adequacy standards, and applicable risk management frameworks.
• Oversee the preparation of financial statements, tax declarations, CBAR periodic reports, and other regulatory filings, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Support financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes in coordination with the General Director to optimise resource allocation.
• Establish and maintain internal controls over the accounting and reporting process, and prepare the function for internal and external audit.
• Coordinate the external audit and tax inspections, respond to audit and regulatory requests, and represent the Company before the tax authorities and CBAR on accounting and reporting matters.
• Identify and escalate financial risks relevant to the accounting function, including reporting risks, tax compliance risks, and capital adequacy risks.
• Collaborate with CBAR, external auditors, the Audit Committee, and senior management to provide financial insights and ensure alignment with corporate objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Assist in implementing and maintaining financial systems, accounting processes, and internal controls to enhance efficiency and reporting accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with AML/CFT record-keeping and reporting obligations as they relate to the accounting function.
• Keep up to date with all relevant regulatory changes as well as evolving best practices, carrying out gap and business impact analysis.
• Build, lead and develop the accounting and finance team, organising the allocation of work and supervising its execution.
• Maintain professional accountant status throughout employment, including timely renewal of the professional accountant certificate and continuing membership of an accredited professional accountant organisation, and notify the Company immediately of any lapse.

Requirements

• Higher education (university degree).
• Professional accountant certificate (peşəkar mühasib sertifikatı, PMS) issued by the State Examination Centre (DİM), together with current membership of a professional accountancy organisation accredited by the Ministry of Finance, as required under the Securities Market Law and the Law on Accounting for chief accountants of public interest entities, including securities market licensees.
• Not less than five (5) years of experience in accounting or finance, of which at least three (3) years as a chief accountant or in a managerial finance role. Experience in a bank, investment company, insurer or other regulated financial institution is a significant advantage.
• Meets the “fit and proper” requirements applicable to the Chief Accountant of a licensed entity under the Securities Market Law, including strong professional reputation and integrity and no relevant criminal convictions or ongoing proceedings.
• Strong practical experience in IFRS-based accounting and financial reporting, preferably in financial services.
• Strong knowledge of Azerbaijani accounting and tax legislation, CBAR reporting requirements for investment companies, and applicable AML/CFT record-keeping obligations. Experience in setting up accounting and financial reporting frameworks for newly licensed financial institutions is a significant advantage.
• Practical experience of the full tax reporting cycle and confident use of state portals, including electronic invoices (EQF).
• Confident user of accounting and ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Experience of leading and developing an accounting or finance team.
• Azerbaijani - fluent; English - good written and spoken proficiency is required.
• International professional qualification (ACCA, DipIFR, CIMA, CPA, CFA) is an advantage.
• Be able to handle complex financial reporting issues, projects, and processes.
• Demonstrate strong moral and ethical principles. A willingness to learn, accept accountability, demonstrate initiative and support effective co-operation.
• Strong sense of integrity and responsibility.