Our client, a licensed financial services company operating within the EMI/payments space, is looking for an experienced CFO 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.

Chief Financial Officer

Job Description