JOB DESCRIPTION

Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

OBG Qatar | Owlstip | Kabo Industries, Chennai

1. Position Details

Job Title: Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Department: Finance & Accounts

Location: Calicut, India, with regular travel to Doha, Qatar, and other group locations

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Reporting To:Chairman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Managing Director (MD)

Team Responsibility: Finance and Accounts teams across all group companies

Experience Required: Minimum 10+ years in finance and accounts, including senior leadership experience

Qualification: Chartered Accountant (CA) preferred

2. About the Group

We are a growing group of companies operating across Qatar and India. OBG Qatar undertakes modular cabin manufacturing, steel fabrication, and contracting projects, while Owlstip and Kabo Industries, based in Chennai, expand the group's capabilities and business presence.

We are seeking an experienced Group Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance function across all three companies, strengthen financial governance, improve operational efficiency, and support the group's continued growth.

3. Job Purpose

The Group CFO will be responsible for the overall financial strategy, planning, performance, and governance of OBG Qatar, Owlstip, and Kabo Industries. The role involves overseeing financial planning and budgeting, cash flow and treasury management, project financing, cost control, accounting, financial reporting, taxation, statutory compliance, and finance team leadership.

The CFO will work closely with the Chairman, CEO, and MD to support strategic business decisions, maintain financial discipline, manage financial risks, and ensure timely and accurate financial information across the group.

4. Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

Develop and implement the group's financial strategy in alignment with the business objectives of all three companies.
Advise the Chairman, CEO, and MD on investments, expansion plans, pricing, new ventures, and capital allocation.
Evaluate new projects and business opportunities based on profitability, return on investment, payback period, cash flow impact, and financial risk.
Establish scalable financial policies, procedures, and systems to support business growth in Qatar and India.

Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting

Lead the preparation of annual budgets for each company and the consolidated group.
Establish monthly financial targets for revenue, margins, overheads, and cash flow.
Prepare rolling 12-month financial forecasts and weekly 13-week cash flow forecasts.
Monitor actual financial performance against budgets, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions.
Develop financial models and business plans for new projects, products, and business entities.

Cash Flow and Treasury Management

Monitor daily cash positions and ensure sufficient liquidity for payroll, supplier payments, and project commitments.
Establish and manage payment approval procedures and payment schedules.
Manage working capital, including receivables, payables, advances, retentions, and inventory.
Oversee bank accounts, signing authorities, cheque controls, and payment processes.
Monitor intercompany funding and financial balances between the group companies.

Project Financing and Banking

Arrange and manage project funding, working-capital facilities, term loans, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and performance bonds.
Review project payment terms, advance payments, milestone billing, and retention arrangements to maintain healthy cash flow.
Prepare funding proposals, financial presentations, and reports for banks and financiers.
Monitor loan utilization, repayment schedules, financial covenants, and borrowing costs.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with banks and financial institutions.

Cost Control and Procurement Oversight

Establish and monitor cost budgets for companies, departments, and individual projects.
Review operating expenses, including payroll, rent, utilities, transport, accommodation, fuel, and other overheads.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and improve financial efficiency.
Coordinate with procurement to ensure competitive quotations, approved purchase orders, and favorable supplier payment terms.
Review major purchases and expenditure against approved budgets and project cost plans.

Project Finance and Commercial Control

Review project estimates, tender costs, profit margins, and payment terms before quotations and tenders are submitted.
Monitor project budgets, actual costs, billing, collections, and profitability throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure timely invoicing, submission of variation claims, and collection of outstanding receivables.
Prepare monthly project-wise profitability and cash flow reports for management.

Accounting and Financial Reporting

Oversee accounting operations across all group companies in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
Ensure timely monthly financial closing, targeted by the fifth working day.
Review financial statements, management accounts, bank reconciliations, payroll records, and expense claims.
Prepare consolidated financial statements and management reports.
Coordinate year-end closing and statutory audits in Qatar and India.

Governance, Internal Controls, and Risk Management

Establish and implement financial policies, approval matrices, delegation of authority, and segregation of duties.
Maintain effective controls over payments, bank reconciliations, payroll, inventory, and fixed assets.
Conduct periodic internal control reviews and ensure timely closure of audit findings.
Identify and manage liquidity, credit, currency, contractual, and compliance risks.
Ensure appropriate financial risk management and insurance coverage.

Taxation and Statutory Compliance

Oversee applicable tax, payroll, audit, and statutory compliance requirements in Qatar and India.
Ensure timely GST, income tax, TDS, Companies Act, and ROC-related compliance in India, as applicable.
Monitor Qatar corporate tax, Wage Protection System (WPS), commercial registration renewals, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Maintain proper documentation for intercompany transactions and transfer pricing.
Maintain a compliance calendar and ensure timely statutory filings.

Finance Team Leadership

Lead, supervise, and develop the finance and accounts teams across all group companies.
Define responsibilities, performance targets, reporting schedules, and standard operating procedures.
Review the accuracy and timeliness of accounting entries, reconciliations, payments, payroll, and expense records.
Conduct performance reviews and provide guidance and training to finance personnel.
Recruit and develop the finance team in line with the group's growth requirements.

Finance Systems and Process Improvement

Implement standardized accounting systems, ERP processes, charts of accounts, and financial reporting formats across the group.
Document and standardize procedures for accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, petty cash, fixed assets, and month-end closing.
Introduce financial dashboards and digital reporting tools to improve visibility of cash flow, sales, costs, and project performance.
Continuously improve financial processes, accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls.

Stakeholder Management

Act as the primary finance representative for banks, financiers, auditors, tax consultants, and government authorities.
Support commercial negotiations with clients and suppliers on pricing and payment terms.
Maintain professional relationships with external stakeholders and financial institutions.
Provide accurate and timely financial information to the Chairman, CEO, MD, and other authorised stakeholders.

5. Reporting and Management Review

The Group CFO will maintain a structured reporting schedule, including:

Daily: Cash and bank position, major receipts, and payments due.
Weekly: Cash flow forecast, collections, payables, sales, orders, project status, financial risks, and decisions required.
Monthly: Company-wise and consolidated management accounts, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, budget-versus-actual analysis, and project profitability.
Quarterly: Board reporting covering financial performance, forecasts, funding, compliance, and risk management.
Annually: Annual budgets, business plans, audited financial statements, and tax returns.

6. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be evaluated against the following indicators:

Cash Flow: Maintenance of adequate liquidity and accuracy of cash flow forecasts.
Profitability: Achievement of approved revenue, gross margin, and net profit targets.
Cost Control: Maintenance of overheads and project costs within approved budgets.
Working Capital: Improvement in collection periods, receivables ageing, and supplier payment management.
Funding: Availability of adequate banking facilities for projects and business expansion.
Financial Reporting: Timely monthly closing and submission of weekly and monthly reports.
Compliance: Timely statutory and tax filings, with no avoidable penalties.
Audit and Internal Controls: Clean audit outcomes and timely resolution of audit observations.
Team Performance: Development of competent, accountable, and well-managed finance teams.

7. Qualifications and Experience

Educational Qualifications

Chartered Accountant (CA – ICAI) preferred.
Alternatively, CMA, ACCA, CPA, or an MBA in Finance with a strong accounting background.

Professional Experience

Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in finance and accounts, including at least five years in a senior leadership role such as CFO, Finance Controller, or Head of Finance.
Experience managing finance operations across multiple companies, preferably involving both India and GCC countries.
Experience in manufacturing, steel fabrication, construction, contracting, or other project-based businesses.
Proven experience in project financing, banking relationships, working-capital facilities, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and contract financing.
Strong hands-on experience in budgeting, cash flow management, cost control, financial consolidation, and management reporting.
Working knowledge of applicable Qatar/GCC and Indian tax, accounting, payroll, audit, and statutory compliance requirements.

8. Skills and Competencies

Strong financial planning, analytical, and strategic decision-making skills.
Excellent financial modelling, budgeting, forecasting, and cost analysis capabilities.
Strong leadership and team management skills, including managing teams across different locations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with accounting software or ERP systems such as Tally, Zoho Books, or SAP.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
High integrity, accountability, attention to detail, and commitment to financial governance.
Fluency in English; knowledge of Arabic, Tamil, or Hindi will be an advantage.

9. Employment Conditions

Full-time, permanent position.
Primary work location: Calicut, India.
Regular travel to Doha, Qatar, and other group locations as required.
Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate's qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role.

10. What We Offer

A senior leadership position with direct access to the Chairman, CEO, and MD.
The opportunity to establish and strengthen the finance function of a growing group operating across multiple countries.
A competitive compensation package based on qualifications and experience.
International exposure and opportunities to contribute to strategic business growth across Qatar and India.

11. Application Process

Interested candidates are requested to submit their updated CV along with a brief cover note outlining:

Companies, countries, and business sectors previously managed.
Experience in project financing, banking, and cost control.
Current and expected compensation.
Notice period and availability to join.

Benefits:

Paid sick time

Work Location: In person

OWLSTIP TECHNOLOGIES LLP

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