Finance Manager

It’s never been a more exciting time to join Vistra.

At Vistra our purpose is progress. We believe that our clients have the power to change the world and to do great things for global progress, and we exist to remove the friction that comes from the complexity of global business - to help our clients achieve progress without friction.

But progress only happens when people come together and take action. And we’re absolutely committed to building a culture where our people can do just that.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional as Finance Manager and you will report to Business Unit Manager. Ideal candidates will be, or have been, registered with the DFSA/FSRA and will be used to managing relationships with external clients as well as managing a small team. This is a client facing role and it is essential that you have experience of a fast paced environment, managing multiple client priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Outsourced DFSA Authorised Finance Officer Responsibilities

• Act as the outsourced DFSA Authorised Finance Officer for a portfolio of regulated client entities, maintaining fit and proper status as assessed by the Regulator at all times
• Lead and oversee a team of Finance Officers who each deliver outsourced Regulated Authorised Finance Officer services to their own client portfolios, ensuring consistent standards of regulatory compliance and service delivery
• Ensure each client's capital resources and liquidity are in full compliance with regulatory requirements, including PIB rules and guidance
• Prepare, review, and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual EPRS returns (PIBs) to the Regulator on behalf of clients within prescribed deadlines
• Serve as the primary point of contact with the Regulator on all financial reporting and prudential matters for assigned client entities
• Quality-assure the Regulatory submissions and regulatory reporting produced by the team's Finance Officers across all client engagements
• Monitor and ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable Regulatory rules, including anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) requirements as they relate to financial reporting
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of regulatory changes, consultation papers, and rule amendments, proactively assessing their impact on clients' financial operations and communicating updates to the team
• Oversee the preparation of financial projections and business plans required for client authorisation projects, licence variations, and ongoing supervisory requirements
• Ensure statutory audit and tax compliance for all entities under management
• Advocate a strong risk and compliance culture across the team, ensuring all financial activities align with the zero-tolerance policy towards financial misconduct
• Liaise with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory authorities on behalf of regulated clients
• Prepare and maintain regulatory capital adequacy calculations and liquidity assessments as required under the PIB module for each client entity

Client Portfolio & Revenue Management

• Manage own complex client portfolio of regulated and non-regulated entities (including outsourced Finance Officer engagements), leveraging long-term client relationships and building new relationships to drive revenue growth
• Identify and execute cross-sell and up-sell opportunities across Vistra's service lines (corporate services, compliance, company secretarial) to maximise client value and team revenue
• Develop and implement strategies to grow the team's client base and revenue in alignment with annual budgets and business plans
• Coordinate and prepare financial and management reports, business activity reports, financial position forecasts, cash forecasts, and annual budgets for clients
• Provide accounting, bookkeeping, and financial advisory support to clients as required
• Ensure timely and accurate billing, WIP management, and revenue recognition across the team's portfolio
• Contribute to business development initiatives, proposals, and pitches for new regulated entity clients

Team Leadership & Performance Management:

• Strengthen Leadership Accountability Against Agreed KPIs
• Direct line manage the Accounting team, setting clear individual and team KPIs aligned with departmental and organisational objectives
• Take full accountability for team performance against agreed revenue targets, utilisation rates, client satisfaction scores, and compliance deadlines
• Conduct regular performance reviews (quarterly at minimum), providing constructive feedback and ensuring all team members have up-to-date, measurable objectives
• Implement performance dashboards and reporting mechanisms to track progress against KPIs in real time
• Work with HR to address performance issues promptly and decisively as per Vistra's performance management process
• Hold team members accountable for delivery quality, timeliness, and adherence to regulatory standards

Foster Collaboration Across Markets and Service Lines

• Actively collaborate with other Vistra teams across the Middle East and global offices to share knowledge, best practices, and client opportunities
• Build strong working relationships across teams to deliver integrated solutions to clients
• Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives that enhance Vistra's service delivery across markets
• Provide technical assistance and act as the escalation point for the team, including Vistra colleagues in Shared Service Centres
• Champion knowledge-sharing sessions and cross-training initiatives to build team versatility and resilience

Maintain a Culture of Ownership, Performance, and Continuous Improvement

• Uphold Vistra's values by promoting a culture of professionalism, accountability, and teamwork
• Empower team members to take ownership of their client portfolios and outsourced Finance Officer engagements, fostering autonomy with appropriate oversight
• Periodically review processes and procedures within the department, driving efficiency improvements and automation where possible
• Lead process improvement initiatives and ensure successful implementation of agreed strategies
• Encourage innovation and continuous professional development within the team
• Oversee fair allocation and distribution of workload amongst the team, ensuring equitable opportunity for growth and development
• Manage team leave requests and ensure adequate cover arrangements to maintain service continuity
• Keep up to date with accounting developments (IFRS updates, regulatory changes) and ensure any impact is properly understood and communicated to the team and management

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

• Strong people management skills with proven experience leading and developing a team of direct reports against defined KPIs
• Deep technical knowledge of the regulatory framework, PIB rules, and EPRS reporting requirements
• Strong working knowledge of IFRS and statutory accounts production
• Excellent organisational skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Demonstrated ability to drive revenue growth and identify commercial opportunities
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to liaise effectively with regulators, auditors, and senior management
• Ability to prioritise competing demands and meet strict regulatory deadlines
• Self-motivating with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach
• IT literate with high level of competence in Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of accounting systems (Xero, QuickBooks desirable)
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams and markets

Professional Qualifications and Minimum Relevant Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years’ experience within a similar role
• Recognised qualification in Accounting (ACA or ACCA) or similar
• Background in regulated financial services entity, esp. DFSA/FSRA preferred
• Competency in management and statutory accounts production as per IFRS