Finance Data Analytics & Automation Consultant

Assignment type: Six-month, full-time project assignment

Role Overview

Our client is seeking a hands-on Finance Data Analytics & Automation Consultant for a six-month, full-time Finance transformation assignment.

The consultant will partner with the Group Finance Director and Finance team to build a more automated, data-led, AI-enabled reporting environment.

The role requires Finance reporting expertise, advanced Excel, Power BI, workflow automation, and practical AI-enabled reporting skills.

The aim is to enhance current reporting and establish a scalable, intelligent Finance operating model.

This is not an IT-only, dashboard-only, or advisory-only role; the consultant must convert Finance logic into practical automated outputs.

Assignment Duration and Work Arrangement

Duration: Initial six-month assignment Capacity: Full-time, five days per week Location: Onsite with the Finance team in Dubai - UAE Reporting line: Group Finance Director

Any extension will depend on project needs and performance.

Project Context

Finance is shifting toward automated, AI-enabled reporting and decision support to reduce manual effort and produce structured outputs, including:

Post-close reporting and MIS analysis Structured financial and operational data Power BI dashboards with drill-downs Automated variance, trend analysis, and AI-assisted summaries Faster, more consistent Finance outputs

The immediate focus is to improve existing models and reporting while developing an automated reporting platform.

Key Responsibilities

Finance Process and Model Review

Review Finance reporting processes, management packs, and models. Assess trial balance, GL, entity, cost-centre, budget, and reporting outputs. Find opportunities to simplify and automate reporting. Optimize Excel-based Finance models as needed.

Excel Modelling and Data Extraction

Work with complex Excel financial models and reporting files. Improve model structure, formulas, links, and efficiency. Convert model outputs into clean datasets for automation, dashboards, and analysis. Support model simplification and documentation.

Finance Data Automation

Build structured Finance datasets from trial balance, budget, entity, GL, cost-centre, and other inputs. Use Power Query to automate data cleansing, transformation, refresh, and validation. Build reconciliation checks and move reporting from manual Excel files to automated workflows.

Power BI and Reporting Development

Develop Power BI data models and Finance dashboards. Build automated MIS, P&L, Balance Sheet, entity, facility, and consolidated reporting views. Enable drill-downs and create variance, trend, KPI, and executive dashboard views.

Workflow Automation and AI-Enabled Reporting

Use Power Automate and related tools for reporting refresh, review, and distribution. Support AI-enabled Finance reporting, commentary, summaries, and exception analysis. Use approved AI tools where relevant, ensuring outputs are reviewable and Finance-approved.

Documentation and Handover

Document data flows, model logic, assumptions, and refresh processes. Prepare handover notes, user guidance, training materials, and knowledge transfer. Ensure Finance can maintain the solutions after the assignment.

Required Skills And Experience

The consultant should have hands-on experience in:

Finance modelling: Advanced Excel, model optimization, P&L, Balance Sheet, budget versus actuals, variance, trend, trial balance, and GL mapping. Analytics and automation: Power Query, Power BI, DAX, Power Automate, dashboards, reporting automation, reconciliation, and validation. AI workflows: AI-assisted reporting or business analysis using Claude, Copilot, Chat GPT, or similar tools.

Ideal Profile

Preferred experience: 6–10 years in Finance analytics, FP&A automation, business modelling, Power BI, Finance transformation, or reporting automation.

Relevant backgrounds may include:

Big 4, consulting, business modelling, or Finance transformation Finance analytics, FP&A automation, or Power BI Finance reporting Excel modelling, BI automation, or corporate FP&A reporting analysis

The ideal candidate combines Finance knowledge with practical technical delivery.

Finance Knowledge Required

The consultant should understand:

Trial balance, chart of accounts, GL mapping, and cost-centre reporting Entity, facility, P&L, Balance Sheet, budgeting, and forecasting structures Management packs, variance analysis, consolidation, and financial model structures

A pure IT developer, AI engineer, or dashboard designer without Finance knowledge would not be suitable.

Preferred Additional Exposure

Additional useful exposure includes:

Oracle/ERP reporting, SQL, database fundamentals, or Python automation Multi-entity, financial statement, audit-support, healthcare, services, or multi-site reporting Senior Finance or CFO-level reporting requirements

Candidate Attributes

The consultant should be:

Hands-on, practical, structured, and solution-oriented Strong in Finance logic, automation, Excel models, and reporting packs Comfortable working with senior Finance stakeholders under tight timelines Able to translate business requirements into automated outputs Disciplined in confidentiality, documentation, handover, and knowledge transfer

Finance Data Analytics & Automation Consultant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates