Chief Accountant

AL Marwan General Contracting Company; Sharjah; On-site; AED 279,000 - 390,600; Full time

Job summary

A leading contracting firm in the United Arab Emirates seeks an experienced Chief Accountant to manage the accounting function across construction and manufacturing operations. The role requires a bachelor's degree in Accounting, a minimum of 10 years of experience, and fluency in Arabic and English. Responsibilities include financial management, compliance with IFRS, and leadership of the accounting team. This position offers the opportunity to work in an active and collaborative environment focused on financial integrity and strategic decision-making.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of accounting experience in construction/manufacturing industries.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, project accounting, U.A.E VAT regulations.
• Proven experience with accounting processes and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations and ensure statutory compliance.
• Prepare financial statements in compliance with IFRS.
• Monitor project profitability and establish financial controls.

Skills

Fluent in Arabic and English

Strong analytical skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Professional certification (CPA, CMA, ACCA)

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., YARDI, SAP, Oracle)

Job description

Who we are

Founded in 1978, Al Marwan Group is a diversified organization serving the construction, heavy machinery, Oil & Gas, real estate, developments and Hospitality sectors across the GCC. The Group operates through multiple business units and subsidiaries, delivering integrated solutions supported by strong operational expertise and a well-established regional presence.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Chief Accountant to lead the accounting function across our construction and manufacturing operations. Reporting directly to the Group CFO, this role requires strong expertise in U.A.E financial regulations, VAT, IFRS, project accounting, and manufacturing costing. The successful candidate will oversee accounting operations, ensure statutory compliance, strengthen internal controls, and deliver accurate financial reporting to support senior management decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities of the Chief Accountant include, but are not limited to:

• Financial Management & Reporting
• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including General Ledger (GL), Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), Fixed Assets (FA), and cash management.
• Prepare timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with IFRS.
• Monitor project profitability, cost allocation, and revenue recognition, ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards.
• Manage manufacturing costing, including Bill of Materials (BOM), Work-in-Progress (WIP) valuation, and cost variance analysis.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce strong internal financial controls to ensure compliance and mitigate financial risks.
• Lead the preparation of annual budgets and periodic financial forecasts.
• Track actual performance against budgets and provide variance analysis with actionable insights.
• Support senior management with financial analysis for strategic planning and risk management.
• Supervise cost control processes for construction projects and manufacturing operations, ensuring accurate tracking of expenses and progress.
• Oversee project billing, subcontractor payments, retentions, and cost allocations.
• Ensure project margins are accurately calculated and comply with IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers).
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team to foster a high-performance culture.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve accounting processes and systems, supporting digital transformation initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with procurement, operations, and project teams to ensure timely and accurate financial information for decision-making.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CPA, CMA, or ACCA is highly preferred.
• Fluent in Arabic and English
• Minimum 10 years of accounting experience, preferably within the construction and/or manufacturing industries in the U.A.E.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, project accounting, manufacturing costing, and U.A.E VAT regulations.
• Proven experience working with ERP systems (e.g., YARDI, SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset focused on process improvement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in cross-functional teams.