Financial Affairs Section Head

Confidential; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 300,000 - 460,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in Abu Dhabi is seeking a senior leader to oversee the Finance Section. The role focuses on guiding the team to meet strategic objectives, ensuring compliance with approved policies, and supervising the budgeting process and financial reporting.

The candidate will implement corrective actions for policy deviations, manage investments and revenues, and provide financial analysis and risk mitigation to support strategic decisions within the Academy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Financial Management, Finance, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in Accounting or Financial Management, or CFA, CPA, or CMA certifications are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Section’s team to achieve strategic objectives.
• Ensure implementation of Academy policies and procedures within the Section.
• Recommend improvements to policies and procedures applicable to the Section.
• Coordinate corrective actions for deviations with the direct manager.
• Ensure achievement of KPIs for the Section.
• Support the direct manager in preparing the Section’s budget.
• Oversee financial affairs aligned with strategic direction and accounting standards.
• Prepare and manage the Academy’s budget and submit reports for review.

Education

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

Master’s degree in Accounting or Financial Management or CFA/CPA/CMA

Job description

Leadership / Managerial Responsibilities

• Lead and effectively manage the Section’s team to achieve its strategic objectives.
• Ensure the implementation of the Academy’s approved policies and procedures within the Section.
• Recommend improvements to the policies and procedures applicable to the Section.
• Implement corrective actions for deviations from the Section’s and Academy’s policies, procedures, and regulations, in coordination with the direct manager.
• Ensure the achievement of the Section’s strategic objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Support the direct manager in preparing the Section’s budget.

Operational Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of financial affairs activities and ensure alignment with the Academy’s strategic direction, approved policies, procedures, and accounting standards.
• Prepare and manage the Academy’s budget in accordance with approved policies, procedures, and accounting standards.
• Submit budget reports to the direct manager for review and approval.
• Oversee matters related to investments and revenues generated from the Academy’s services and financial grants, ensuring effective and efficient management.
• Oversee the planning and management of short- and long-term financial resources and determine annual budgets for organizational units to support strategic objectives and financial sustainability.
• Oversee the Academy’s financial and accounting operations, including the accurate and timely recording of financial transactions, payment processing, transaction tracking, expense management, and accounts receivable management.
• Ensure that financial and accounting transactions, including invoices, payments, and revenues, are accurately recorded and documented in the accounting system in accordance with approved policies and procedures.
• Oversee cash flow analysis and forecasting to ensure sufficient liquidity to meet the Academy’s financial obligations.
• Oversee the recording of daily financial transactions in the accounting books in accordance with approved accounting standards.
• Oversee investment activities related to the Academy’s revenues in accordance with leadership directives and targeted rates of return.
• Oversee the tracking and monitoring of fixed assets, including depreciation and asset disposal reporting.
• Monitor financial operations across the Academy and ensure compliance with approved policies, procedures, and accounting standards.
• Monitor the Academy’s financial systems, ensure their effectiveness, and support their continuous development in coordination with the direct manager.
• Ensure effective coordination between the Finance Section and other organizational units and provide the required financial support.
• Provide comprehensive financial advice and support on projects and contracts across all organizational units.
• Provide advice on financial strategy, revenue and capital implications, and recommend appropriate improvement measures.
• Contribute to identifying financial risks and provide recommendations to mitigate related risks.
• Oversee the accurate and effective preparation of monthly and annual tax reports to ensure tax compliance.
• Oversee communication and coordination with donors regarding financial grants in accordance with applicable standards and regulations.
• Provide financial reports and analyses to management and stakeholders to support strategic decision-making.
• Prepare reports related to Financial Affairs activities and submit them to the direct manager.
• Oversee the performance of Section employees in accordance with approved KPIs, policies, and procedures.
• Identify opportunities and implement continuous improvement initiatives to ensure the required level of performance and effectiveness.
• Perform any additional duties assigned by the direct manager within the scope of the role.

Qualifications & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Financial Management, Finance, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in Accounting or Financial Management, or professional financial certifications such as CFA, CPA, or CMA, are considered an advantage.

Professional Experience

• 6–8 years of professional experience in accounting, financial management, finance, or a related field.
• Previous experience in financial affairs within the academic or education sector, preferably with a reputable or well-established organization, is an advantage.