Head of Finance & Custody

Kraken Digital Asset Exchange

Own the delivery of monthly, quarterly, and annual management and financial accounts for the VARA VASP entity, including budget-to-actuals review;; Prepare and submit VARA regulatory reporting packs (monthly, quarterly, and annual, as appl…

Posted 7/24/2026Verified active Jul 25, 2026, 12:36 AMfull-timeRemote • 🇦🇪 United Arab EmiratesSeniorLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrate expertise in financial management and regulatory compliance, particularly in safeguarding client assets and managing financial accounts. Emphasize strong leadership and organizational skills to effectively oversee finance functions and collaborate with cross-functional teams in a dynamic regulatory environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Qualified Accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA, or Equivalent)Experience in Safeguarding and Custody Control EnvironmentsKnowledge of VARA's Rulebook ArchitectureExperience in Group Reporting Focused on Financial AccountsKnowledge of IFRS and/or US GAAP

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Financial ManagementRegulatory ReportingBudgeting and ForecastingStatutory Audit ProcessClient Asset Safeguarding

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsProblem-SolvingStakeholder CommunicationLeadershipOrganizational Skills

Tools & Technologies

Finance Risk RegisterControl Environment FrameworkClient Asset Custody ProceduresUAE-Based Client AccountsThird-Party Service Provider Management

Certifications & Qualifications

Qualified Accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA, or Equivalent)

Industry Keywords

Financial ServicesClient Asset StewardshipRegulatory ComplianceIFRSUS GAAP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the delivery of monthly, quarterly, and annual management and financial accounts for the VARA VASP entity, including budget-to-actuals review.
Prepare and submit VARA regulatory reporting packs and act as the primary point of contact with VARA on finance-related information requests.
Prepare forecasts and budgets for the local entity in collaboration with the Group FP&A team.
Lead the local entity's involvement in the statutory audit process, acting as key liaison with Group Financial Control.
Develop and maintain the finance function's control environment and Finance risk register for the newly established Dubai entity.
Monitor, control, and report on the safeguarding of client money and client virtual assets as applicable to the entity's licensed activities.
Own the daily reconciliation of client virtual assets and client money held in UAE-based client accounts.
Develop, coordinate, and maintain the entity's client asset/custody safeguarding procedures and control framework.
Oversee any relationships with third-party service providers relevant to client asset safeguarding, including UAE banks and custodians.
Lead the finance and safeguarding workstream on local projects and legal entity development in-region.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Qualified Accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA, or equivalent) with significant relevant experience in financial services.
Demonstrable experience in safeguarding, custody, or client asset/client money control environments.
Working knowledge of VARA's rulebook architecture or a demonstrated ability to build this knowledge rapidly.
Demonstrable experience in a Group reporting role focused on financial accounts and external/regulatory reporting.
Knowledge and understanding of key accounting principles under IFRS and/or US GAAP.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder communication skills.
Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams.
Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple regulatory deadlines.
Proactive and adaptable, with a willingness to take ownership of ambiguous or evolving regulatory requirements.
Ethical and accountable, with a commitment to the highest standards of integrity in client asset stewardship.