JOB PURPOSE
The Finance Manager – Lebanon holds a critical senior position within Holdal Group, serving as a linchpin for the overall financial health and success of operations in Lebanon.
As an integral member of the Lebanon leadership team, the Finance Manager leads the Lebanese finance and accounting team and is responsible for upholding the highest standards of accounting and financial integrity across multiple legal entities and a diverse portfolio of businesses and operating models. This includes ensuring compliance with financial and tax regulations, implementing robust financial controls, and managing risks, budgets, reporting and
cash flow effectively, while overseeing the accounting, receivables, inventory, budgeting and reporting functions and liaising with the Tax and Financial Control units to ensure full compliance contributing to the ongoing growth and prosperity of Holdal Group's operations in Lebanon.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Accounting & Financial Integrity
Maintain the integrity and accuracy of the accounting books and financial statements of all managed legal entities and operations in Lebanon, ensuring compliance with IFRS, local financial and tax requirements, and the application of accounting best practice. Oversee accounting and fiscal closings and submissions when due, ensuring the accounting close is completed on time to enable on-time tax submissions with no penalties, including sound cost and inventory accounting across multi-division operations.
Financial Reporting
Prepare and submit accurate financial statements on time, including balance sheet, income statement and cash- flow statement, as well as consolidated top-line reports, management P&Ls and P&Ls by legal entity, and key financial dashboards (including but not limited to top line, opex, receivables, inventory, taxes and cash flow) with commentary explaining variances vs. budget and prior periods. Lead the monthly financial presentations to management, review draft audit reports, propose corrections to auditors, and confirm issuance of final audited accounts.
Financial Budgeting & Planning:
Act as finance budget leader across all managed entities and operations: set and communicate budget calendars and guidelines in coordination with the CFO, own the annual budget exercise including projection of revenues, expenses, income, working capital, head-count and cash-conversion cycle, provide fully commented budgets justifying key variances and recommending actions, and secure approvals from Budget Centre Heads, CFO and CEO.
Compliance
Ensure the company complies with local financial and tax regulations across all entities, files required reports on time, pays all dues without penalties, and remains aligned with Holdal policies, working closely with local legal tax advisors, Group Finance and Legal, and public authorities including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy & Trade and Ministry of Health.
Risk Management
Proactively identify, assess and manage all financial risks associated with the diverse business portfolio, coordinating with the management team and Internal Audit, and ensuring risks are properly insured
Financial Controls
Develop and implement robust preventive and detective 1st-line accounting and financial controls that safeguard the assets of the entities, mitigate financial risk and ensure the highest level of financial security across all divisions and legal entities. Approve daily payments in line with the Group authority matrix. In coordination with the Group Head of Financial Control and the 2nd-line controllers, ensure all financial risks are addressed and cleared through the development and implementation of the 1st line of financial controls.
Daily Cash-Flow Management
Optimize liquidity, ensure financial resources are effectively utilized, and maintain a daily cash-flow forecast and updated cash & bank position reports across the multiple entities and banking relationships of the Lebanon operation.
Leadership & Team Management
Lead, develop and hold accountable a sizeable finance team spanning accounting, receivables, inventory, budgeting and reporting,setting clear goals, defining roles, coaching team members, managing the performance appraisal process, identifying skill gaps, driving succession planning and a culture of ownership and continuous improvement. The Tax function and the Group Head of Financial Control (2nd line of controls) do not report to the role; the Finance Manager liaises closely with both to ensure full compliance over taxes and financial controls, implementing the 1st line of controls across the Lebanon operation.
Business Partnering & Commercial Support
Act as a finance business partner to the Lebanon leadership team and business leaders across the diverse divisions, providing financial insight, scenario analysis and decision support for commercial, pricing, margin, inventory and investment decisions, while actively supporting the achievement of Lebanon's business objectives and protecting financial integrity.
Financial Intelligence & Value Creation
Proactively analyze financial and business performance and advise the organization, recommending concrete actions to optimize cost and working capital. Bring forward creative initiatives and recommendations to the commercial teams, the CFO and the Group Head of Financial Control to continuously enhance finance performance and compliance at all times
Systems, Automation & Digital Innovation
Continuously improve automation, systems, system and data security, and reporting, adopting the latest and most effective tools, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to strengthen efficiency, controls, data integrity and the speed and quality of decision-support across the finance function
FRAMEWORKS, BOUNDARIES & DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY
Provides effective leadership, coaching and direction to the finance team and business partners with key internal and external stakeholders, in order to ensure full compliance over daily transactions and accounting / tax activities across all Lebanese legal entities and operations, and to deliver in-depth, accurate and on-time financial reports, budgets and controls. Operates within Holdal Group's governance framework, authority matrix and approved budgets, reporting to the CFO; exercises delegated authority to approve payments in line with the authority matrix and escalates material risks, control deficiencies and compliance matters to the CFO and the Group Head of Financial Control
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS
