Financial Controller

About the Opportunity

An Accor hotel in Baghdad, Iraq is seeking an experienced and results-driven Financial Controller to lead its Finance Department. Reporting directly to the General Manager, this senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing all financial operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, strengthening internal controls, and providing strategic financial guidance to support the hotel’s continued growth and profitability.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hospitality finance professional with strong leadership skills, commercial acumen, and a passion for driving financial excellence in a dynamic and evolving market.

The Role

The Financial Controller will oversee the hotel’s entire finance function, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, taxation, compliance, internal controls, and business performance analysis. Working closely with the General Manager and department heads, the successful candidate will deliver strategic financial insights, optimize operational performance, and ensure the highest standards of financial governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Finance Department, ensuring efficient and accurate execution of all financial operations.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports with meaningful analysis for management and ownership.
• Develop and manage annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and owner reports with actionable financial insights.
• Ensure full compliance with Iraqi taxation laws, statutory regulations, and applicable financial reporting standards.
• Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, General Cashier, and banking operations.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls while identifying opportunities for process improvements and operational efficiency.
• Partner with operational department heads to analyze financial performance, monitor costs, and improve profitability.
• Manage annual audits, capital expenditure projects, and financial compliance requirements.
• Provide commercial and financial analysis to support strategic business decisions.
• Analyze financial trends, identify business risks and opportunities, and recommend improvement strategies.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance team while promoting collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and corporate governance requirements.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification (CPA, CA, ACCA, CMA, or equivalent) is an advantage.
• Minimum five years of progressive experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager, or in a senior finance leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, management accounting, and cash flow management.
• Comprehensive understanding of Iraqi taxation regulations, statutory reporting, and financial compliance.
• Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is preferred.
• Experience with hotel financial systems such as Opera PMS or other hospitality management platforms is an advantage.
• Familiarity with foreign exchange operations and multi-currency financial management is desirable.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Experience implementing financial process improvements and strengthening internal controls.