Our client, a licensed financial services company operating within the EMI/payments space, is looking for an experienced Head of Finance to lead its finance function in Malta.

This is a senior leadership role suited for someone with strong financial control, regulatory awareness, payments/EMI exposure, and the ability to manage a finance team in a fast-paced regulated environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, audits, regulatory finance obligations, safeguarding processes, internal controls, and supporting strategic decision-making at leadership and board level.

Key Responsibilities

Finance Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team based in Malta.
• Ensure the finance department operates efficiently, accurately, and in line with business and regulatory expectations.
• Create clear processes, ownership, and accountability across the finance function.
• Work closely with senior management, compliance, risk, operations, and product teams.

Financial Reporting & Controls

• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Ensure timely preparation of management accounts, board reports, forecasts, and financial analysis.
• Maintain strong financial controls, reconciliations, and governance across the business.
• Review financial processes and continuously improve efficiency, accuracy, and reporting quality.

EMI / Payments Finance Operations

• Oversee financial processes linked to EMI operations, including client funds, safeguarding, payment flows, settlements, and reconciliations.
• Ensure finance operations support the company's licensed activity and regulatory obligations.
• Work closely with compliance and operations to ensure accurate monitoring and reporting of financial activity.
• Support the business in maintaining strong oversight of liquidity, capital requirements, and operational finance risks.

Regulatory, Audit & Compliance Support

• Support regulatory financial reporting and communication with relevant authorities where required.
• Manage external audit processes and liaise with auditors, advisors, banks, and regulators.
• Ensure finance policies and procedures are aligned with EMI licence requirements and internal governance standards.
• Support board reporting, risk reviews, and governance meetings with accurate financial insights.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Planning

• Lead annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting processes.
• Provide financial insight to support strategic growth, cost control, pricing decisions, and operational planning.
• Analyse business performance and highlight risks, opportunities, and key financial trends.
• Partner with leadership to support commercial and operational decision-making.

Tax, Payroll & Statutory Obligations

• Oversee statutory accounts, tax filings, VAT, payroll-related finance processes, and other local reporting obligations.
• Ensure all finance-related statutory deadlines are met.
• Work with external advisors where required to ensure compliance with local and international requirements.

Requirements

• Proven experience in a senior finance role within financial services, payments, EMI, banking, fintech, or a regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, audit, and internal controls.
• Experience managing or leading a finance team.
• Knowledge of EMI/payment operations, safeguarding, settlements, reconciliations, or client money controls would be highly valuable.
• Strong understanding of regulatory expectations within a licensed financial services environment.
• Ability to prepare and present financial reports to senior leadership, boards, auditors, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• Hands-on approach with the ability to operate both strategically and operationally.
• Professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, ACA, CPA, or equivalent is preferred.