Financial Controller

Overview

About The First Group Hospitality

The First Group Hospitality is a Dubai-headquartered, full-service hospitality management company specialising in hotel operations, asset management, and F&B strategy. With a team of industry veterans and a proven track record, the company delivers tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, optimise revenue, and maximise asset value for investors and hotel owners. As a trusted third-party hotel management provider, The First Group Hospitality partners with leading global brands to drive operational excellence and long-term profitability, thanks to expertise spanning property performance optimisation, cost management, and guest experience enhancement. Beyond management, The First Group Hospitality develops and operates a dynamic portfolio of upscale hotels, residences, and award-winning restaurants, creating high-value hospitality assets that stand out in the market. 

For more information, visit tfghospitality.com 

Job Description

Under the overall direction of the Hospitality Finance Leader and within the framework of TFG policies, procedures, internal controls and applicable UAE laws and regulations, the Financial Controller – TFG Restaurant Management LLC is responsible for the overall financial control, accounting operations, financial reporting and statutory compliance of TFG Restaurants. The position ensures that the company’s books of account are accurate, complete, timely and maintained in accordance with applicable accounting standards, TFG policies and UAE regulatory and tax requirements.

The Financial Controller oversees the finance operations supporting F&B outlets across all Business Units, working closely with the Finance Leaders of the respective hotels and Business Units to ensure the proper recording, reconciliation, allocation and reporting of all F&B-related financial transactions.

The position provides financial leadership and business support to TFG Restaurants management, with particular focus on revenue, cash, receivables, payables, inventory, cost of sales, expenses, intercompany transactions, management reporting, internal controls and UAE tax compliance.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Financial Accounting and Books of Account

• Take overall responsibility for the complete and accurate books of account of TFG Restaurant Management LLC.
• Ensure all financial transactions relating to the company’s F&B operations are properly recorded in the accounting system.
• Establish and maintain an appropriate chart of accounts and financial reporting structure for the restaurant business.
• Lead the timely month-end, quarter-end and year-end closing of the books.
• Review and approve monthly reconciliations for bank accounts, credit cards, receivables, payables, inventory, accruals, prepayments, fixed assets, intercompany and other balance-sheet accounts.
• Ensure outstanding reconciling items are investigated and cleared on a timely basis.
• Maintain appropriate supporting documentation for accounting entries and financial records.
• Ensure proper accounting treatment of revenue, discounts, promotions, complimentary transactions, commissions, service charges and other F&B transactions.

2. F&B Outlet Financial Control

• Provide financial oversight across all Business Units and establish consistent finance-control procedures for all F&B outlets.
• Review daily and monthly revenue information received from Business Units and ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Reconcile POS sales, hotel PMS interfaces where applicable, credit-card settlements, online delivery platforms, cash collections, bank deposits and the general ledger.
• Investigate revenue variances, unusual transactions, refunds, voids, discounts and complimentary transactions.
• Ensure appropriate approval and documentation of financial adjustments.
• Monitor outlet-level financial performance and identify unusual trends or variances.
• Ensure financial responsibilities between TFG Restaurants and each hotel/Business Unit are clearly defined and properly accounted for.

3. Coordination with Hotel Finance Leaders

• Maintain a strong matrix working relationship with the Finance Leaders/Financial Controllers of all Business Units.
• Establish clear finance processes and responsibilities between TFG Restaurants and the respective hotel/Business Unit Finance teams.
• Coordinate the timely submission of financial information and standardize reporting requirements across all Business Units.
• Review and reconcile transactions recorded by Business Units relating to TFG Restaurants.
• Coordinate intercompany and inter-unit balances and resolve differences between TFG Restaurants and Business Unit records.
• Provide finance guidance to Hotel Finance Leaders on F&B accounting matters where required.
• Conduct periodic reviews of agreed finance processes and follow up on outstanding issues.

4. Revenue, Cash and Treasury Control

• Ensure effective controls over all F&B revenue streams, cash collections and electronic payment channels.
• Review daily sales and cash reports and ensure timely banking of cash collections.
• Reconcile credit-card, payment-gateway and delivery-platform settlements.
• Investigate cash shortages, overages and settlement differences.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties and authorization controls over revenue and cash handling.
• Prepare and maintain rolling cash-flow forecasts for TFG Restaurants.
• Manage day-to-day banking requirements in coordination with Group Finance and approved banking arrangements.

5. Accounts Receivable and Credit Control

• Oversee invoicing, customer accounts, deposits, advances and collection of receivables.
• Monitor ageing, follow up overdue balances and recommend appropriate collection actions.
• Review provisions and doubtful debts where applicable.
• Ensure customer accounts and related balances are reconciled regularly.

6. Accounts Payable and Procurement Control

• Oversee the accounts payable process and ensure invoices are properly supported, approved and recorded.
• Ensure invoices are matched to purchase orders, goods-received documentation or other approved supporting documents.
• Monitor supplier balances, advances, deposits and statement reconciliations.
• Ensure payments are processed only in accordance with approved authority levels and TFG policies.
• Work with Procurement and Operations to strengthen purchasing controls and improve working capital.

7. Inventory and Cost Control

• Establish and maintain effective controls over F&B inventory across the Business Units.
• Coordinate physical stock counts and review inventory results and significant variances.
• Monitor food and beverage cost of sales, wastage, spoilage, write-offs and inventory adjustments.
• Review theoretical versus actual consumption where systems permit.
• Monitor purchasing prices, inventory transfers and unusual cost movements.
• Support management in identifying opportunities to improve food and beverage margins.

8. Month-End, Management Reporting and Analysis

• Lead the monthly financial closing process and prepare accurate and timely management accounts.
• Prepare monthly Profit & Loss statements, balance-sheet schedules and supporting reconciliations.
• Analyse actual performance against budget, forecast, prior year and business expectations.
• Provide meaningful variance explanations and identify key financial risks and opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relevant F&B financial KPIs and standardized reporting for all Business Units.
• Provide management with actionable financial information to support operational and strategic decisions.

9. Budgeting and Forecasting

• Prepare the annual budgeting process for TFG Restaurants.
• Work with Operations, Commercial and Business Unit Finance teams to develop realistic budgets.
• Consolidate outlet/business-unit budgets and prepare financial forecasts and outlooks.
• Monitor budget performance and update forecasts based on actual results and changing business conditions.
• Provide financial analysis supporting business plans, new initiatives and strategic decisions.

10. UAE Tax and Statutory Compliance

• Ensure accounting records and supporting documentation are maintained to support UAE tax compliance requirements.
• Coordinate the preparation and filing of VAT returns and related payments with Group Finance and/or appointed tax advisers.
• Ensure appropriate VAT treatment is applied to F&B sales, purchases, expenses, credit notes and other relevant transactions.
• Coordinate Corporate Tax compliance, including preparation of supporting schedules and information required for tax return filing.
• Maintain documentation supporting taxable income, tax adjustments and other tax positions.
• Monitor relevant changes to UAE tax legislation and coordinate implementation of required accounting or process changes.
• Support FTA enquiries, inspections and tax audits as required.

11. Financial Controls, Audit and Governance

• Develop, implement and maintain effective financial controls for TFG Restaurants.
• Ensure compliance with TFG policies, procedures and Delegation of Authority.
• Conduct periodic finance-control reviews across Business Units and follow up on corrective actions.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure audit requirements are completed accurately and on time.
• Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation and follow up on audit findings.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties, authorization controls and financial governance.

12. Business Support and Financial Leadership

• Provide financial guidance to TFG Restaurants management and operating leaders.
• Analyse outlet and Business Unit profitability, margins and cost structures.
• Provide financial input on new outlets, closures, expansions, contracts and commercial arrangements.
• Prepare business cases, financial models, break-even analysis and ROI analysis when required.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, process improvement and profitability enhancement.
• Lead, coach and develop the TFG Restaurants Finance team and promote a culture of accountability, integrity and continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties reasonably assigned by the Hospitality Finance Leader – Hospitality and/or TFG management.

Desired Skill & Expertise

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as CMA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent is preferred.
• Relevant UAE accounting and taxation knowledge.
• Advanced user of Microsoft Excel.
• Strong experience with ERP/accounting systems, including SunSystems, and financial reporting tools.
• Experience with POS, inventory, procurement and hospitality systems is preferred.

Technical Capability

• Strong knowledge of financial accounting, reporting and internal controls.
• Strong understanding of F&B revenue, cash, inventory and cost controls.
• Working knowledge of UAE VAT and Corporate Tax compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, budgeting, forecasting and financial-modelling skills.

Thinking and Planning

• Uses financial information to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Identifies financial risks, opportunities and process improvements.
• Understands the commercial drivers of multi-unit restaurant operations.
• Plans resources and priorities effectively and works to agreed deadlines.

Communication and Collaboration

• Builds an effective working relationship with the Finance Leaders of all Business Units.
• Communicates financial matters clearly to Finance and non-Finance stakeholders.
• Challenges issues constructively and works collaboratively to resolve differences.
• Maintains professional relationships across different departments and business environments.

Leadership and People Development

• Leads and develops the Finance team through coaching, training and clear performance expectations.
• Promotes accountability, integrity, teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Identifies development needs and supports succession and cross-training initiatives.

Focusing on Quality

• Maintains high standards of accuracy, timeliness, confidentiality and financial governance.
• Takes responsibility for achieving agreed financial and control objectives.

Achieving Results

• Drives timely resolution of reconciliations, audit points, control weaknesses and financial issues.
• Builds consensus and negotiates practical solutions with Business Unit and operational stakeholders.
• Maintains a strong focus on profitability, cash flow and working-capital performance.