Financial Controller

 Financial Controller                               

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

Join a high-performing team, empowered to cut through the noise and drive real change. Our agility and pace, coupled with scientific focus, powers us to spot opportunities in the market that keep us moving forward and into new spaces.

 
SITE DESCRIPTION 

AstraZeneca is experiencing a significant transformation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, driven by a commitment to advancing healthcare, innovation, and sustainable growth. Building on our global legacy, AZ KSA is rapidly evolving its operations to better serve patients, collaborate with healthcare stakeholders, and contribute to the ambitious goals outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030. We are investing in talent, digital solutions, and new ways of working; all designed to enhance our impact on patient outcomes and reinforce our leadership in therapeutic areas. This dynamic environment calls for visionary, agile professionals who thrive in change and are motivated to help shape the future of healthcare in KSA.  

ROLE SUMMARY

The Country Controller is the senior finance steward for AstraZeneca Saudi Arabia, accountable for statutory integrity, financial control, internal and external reporting, and compliance with Saudi regulations and AstraZeneca Group policies. The role leads the Controlling function (including the Controlling Manager and embedded finance towers) and is responsible for safeguarding assets, protecting the license to operate, and delivering the Group’s working capital and cash objectives. As a key member of the KSA team, the Country Controller partners with the KSA CFO and cross functional teams to enable compliant, insight‑led decisions that support sustainable growth.

What you’ll do

Financial Control, Reporting and Stewardship

• Set the financial control agenda for KSA and own the integrity and timeliness of monthly, quarterly, and annual closes under IFRS and AstraZeneca accounting policies; approve country financial statements and management packs with clear variance analysis and executive‑level insights.
• Govern end‑to‑end delivery across finance towers (Record‑to‑Report, Procure‑to‑Pay, Order‑to‑Cash, Cash & Banking, T&E), ensuring service levels with GFS Middle/Back Office and issue resolution through the Controlling Manager; escalate and negotiate priorities with Group functions where needed.
• Chair the monthly close and controls review, confirming judgmental areas (revenue recognition, rebates, provisions, inventory valuation, FX, intercompany, accruals) and sign‑off of key journals and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Serve as the primary finance steward for Saudi Marketing and Trading Companies, ensuring appropriate elimination, consolidation, and related‑party/transfer‑pricing impacts are correctly reflected.

Statutory, Tax and Regulatory Compliance

• Accountable owner for statutory financial statements, external audit coordination, and timely filing; ensure clean audit outcomes and proactive remediation of any deficiencies.
• Oversee Saudi tax and regulatory compliance in partnership with Group/Local Tax and external advisors: ZATCA requirements (CIT, zakat, WHT, VAT and e‑invoicing), transfer pricing documentation and country file, and any Local Content or localization reporting as applicable.
• Ensure adherence to banking, payments, and e‑invoicing regulations; act as senior approver for statutory declarations and regulatory correspondence.
• Play a key role in supporting the compliance and reporting of economic participation activities.

Internal Controls, Risk and Governance

• Own the Financial Controls Framework (FCF) and SOX‑aligned control environment for KSA; ensure effective design, operating effectiveness testing, and timely remediation; drive standardization with GFS Middle Office through the Controlling Manager.
• Lead the annual market risk assessment and control plan, including fraud risk, ABAC/FCPA intersections with finance processes, and third‑party risk related to distributors and tendering.
• Sponsor continuous improvement and automation to enhance control effectiveness and process efficiency; approve finance policies, SOPs, and key control narratives for the market.

Planning, Forecasting and Performance Management

• Play important role in planning cycles (budget, forecasts, LTFP) related to working capital and cash conversion objectives.
• Provide decision support, e.g. revenue recognition, control considerations, on material commercial initiatives (tenders, pricing, patient access programs, distributor terms) and investment cases.

Cash, Working Capital and Treasury

• Own cash and working capital performance (DSO, DPO, inventory); agree improvement plans with Collections and Procurement and hold cross‑functional owners to account.
• Oversee liquidity forecasting, bank relationships, mandates and electronic banking controls; ensure alignment with Group Treasury on funding, hedging and counterparty exposure; approve distributor financial terms and credit limits within governance.

External and Strategic Stakeholder Management

• Act as senior point of contact for external auditors, tax advisors, banks, ZATCA and relevant regulators; represent AZ KSA Finance in industry and finance forums when appropriate.
• Lead the finance interface with distributors on financial matters, ensuring timely reconciliation, settlements and governance of claims, deductions and credit notes.

Leadership and Capability

• Lead, coach and develop the Controlling Manager and the wider controlling team; build bench strength and succession, fostering a high‑performance, inclusive culture aligned to AstraZeneca Values.
• Sponsor adoption of global finance transformations (ERP, consolidation, e‑invoicing, data & analytics); ensure master data integrity and robust change controls.
• Set clear objectives and KPIs for controllership outcomes (close quality, audit results, control health, working capital, service levels) and drive accountability across internal and shared‑service teams.

Success Measures

• Clean external/internal audit outcomes with no significant deficiencies/material weaknesses.
• On‑time close and accurate reporting; forecast accuracy within agreed thresholds.
• Full and timely statutory and tax compliance; zero penalties; robust ZATCA and e‑invoicing adherence.
• Sustained improvements in DSO/DPO/inventory and reliable cash forecasting.
• Measurable process simplification and automation benefits; improved service levels with GFS.
• Development and retention of finance talent; positive LT and stakeholder feedback.

Only applications in KSA will be considered.

Essential for the role 

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. 

Essential Capabilities: 

• Minimum one year of experience in the current role at AZ KSA with strong understanding of AZ ways of working, Code of Ethics, and governance.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Economics; professional qualification strongly preferred (SOCPA, CPA, ACCA, CA). MBA a plus.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive finance/controllership/audit experience with 5+ years in a leadership role; background in a multinational and/or Big 4 audit; experience in highly matrixed environments.
• Technical: Deep knowledge of IFRS, consolidation, revenue recognition, inventory and cost accounting, and SOX/FCF internal controls. Strong command of KSA tax and regulatory environment (ZATCA for VAT/e invoicing, CIT, zakat, WHT) and transfer pricing fundamentals.
• Systems: Proficiency with ERP (e.g., SAP S/4HANA or Oracle), consolidation/reporting tools, and advanced Excel/Power BI; familiarity with e invoicing (FATOORA) and electronic banking platforms.
• Skills: Strong stakeholder influence and executive communication; sound judgment in areas requiring estimates and accounting policy application; proven ability to lead through change and deliver under tight deadlines.
• Language: Professional fluency in English; Arabic highly desirable given regulator and distributor interfaces.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.
• Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn

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Date Posted

03-Mar-2026

Closing Date

09-Mar-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.