Financial Operation Head

جامعة السوربون أبوظبي; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Abu Dhabi seeks a Finance Operations Manager to oversee financial activities, ensuring compliance and efficiency. The role involves managing a team, optimizing financial systems, and fostering relationships with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have a strong accounting background and leadership skills, with a focus on enhancing financial performance and compliance.

Qualifications

• 10 years of accounting and finance experience, preferably in higher education.
• Professional Accounting qualification from recognized bodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance Operations Section, overseeing day-to-day financial activities.
• Manage Accounts Payable, Receivable, and Payroll Processing.
• Ensure compliance with accounting policies and internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy

Professional Accounting qualification

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Role Summary:

To lead the Finance Operations Section within the Finance Department at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD), overseeing all day-to-day financial activities and ensuring high standards of efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. The role includes direct supervision of the accounting team and responsibility for core financial functions: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Asset Management, and Payroll Processing. The incumbent will manage and enhance financial systems, tools, and internal controls to ensure the timely execution of payments and collections in line with SUAD policies, contractual obligations, and recognized accounting practices. This role requires strong leadership to guide, develop, and support the Finance Operations team in achieving operational excellence.

Key Activities

Responsible for Accounts Payable, Accounts receivable, VAT, and Fixed Assets accounting by ensuring compliance with accounting policies, procedures, and controls for timely and accurate payments and collections, proper documentation, and internal reporting.

Support the University’s efforts to enhance digital transformation focusing on financial systems and tools to improve efficiency and outputs.

Supervise the activities and performance of direct reports, providing both formal and informal feedback and guidance to ensure efficient and effective completion of all accounting tasks in line with established individual targets and expectations.

Ensure that robust financial systems and controls are in place for all accounting functions, including payroll payments, billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants accounting, reimbursement requests, and revenue accounting.

Monitor accounts receivables activity for timeliness and completeness, ensuring billing, collections, and reporting are completed in accordance with set dates, policies, and procedures.

Oversee the development of the Accounts Receivable aging analysis report and review overdue receivables to initiate appropriate follow-up actions.

Review AR statements and maintain a record of doubtful debts and write-offs to ensure control over reporting and compliance with the accounting policies and procedures.

Review and maintain relevant sub-ledger accounts in balance with the main ledger accounts to ensure data accuracy.

Review the Fixed Assets register to ensure accurate calculation and reconciliation of depreciation and manage fixed assets write-offs in accordance with accounting policies and procedures.

Validate and approve assets additions, disposals, adjustments on the system as per DoA and in alignment with the accounting policies and procedures.

Review the monthly payroll after HR processing and ensure timely payment.

Ensure the collection of the expected expenses (not yet invoiced) on a monthly basis and make the accruals, provisions, and prepayments to ensure that funds are available to make all payments due by the month-end.

Check and approve relevant accounting entries and supporting scheduled accruals, provisions, and prepayments on a monthly basis to ensure accurate and timely accounting thereof.

Manage monthly and yearly closing activities in collaboration with the Finance Control Section to reconcile all SUAD accounts in preparation for financial reporting, while providing ongoing support to the Section Head - Finance Control, particularly in the preparation of financial reports and drafting accompanying explanatory notes, ensuring accuracy and a true reflection of financial data.

Foster positive relationships with vendors, customers, and students by promptly addressing concerns and resolving disputes in a timely and efficient manner.

Report any discrepancies i.e., defaults, accounts receivable/payable related control issues to the Head - Finance for necessary action.

Ensure all Accounting systems and practices comply with the applicable accounting principles, local financial law, TAX regulations, and any other local applicable laws.

Prepare and share relevant information related to the section with Internal, External, and other auditors, while fostering a cooperative relationship to ensure timely and effective action on all recommendations and findings.

Enforce department policies, processes, standard operating procedures, and guidelines, ensuring that direct reports adhere to them for consistent and controlled execution of work.

Develop, publish and report dashboard summaries for all reporting sections.

Assist the Head of Finance in developing strategies and KPIs to enhance performance.

Assist in reviewing the monthly VAT submission to DOF/FTA.

Assist in improving banking relationships ensuring smooth operation.

Participate in internal committee memberships as per the committee charter.

Perform other related duties or assignments as directed by Line Managers.

Qualifications, Experience, & Skills:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy or related field.
• Professional Accounting qualification from recognized bodies such as ACCA, CPA, CA.

Minimum Experience:

10 years of accounting and finance experience, preferably in the higher education sector.

Job-Specific Skills:

• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Experience managing and optimizing financial systems.
• Knowledge of ERP and SIS applications and emerging technologies.
• Proficiency in accounting software (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, etc.).
• Strong understanding of IPSAS, IFRS, Tax regulations, and Financial Reporting.
• Familiarity with Business Intelligence tools (Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
• Experience with Workflow Automation and RPA.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to generate insights from financial data.
• Understanding of regulatory compliance and audit management in education.
• Expertise in process optimization and system automation.
• High accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to align activities with organizational goals and contribute to financial strategies.
• Knowledge of accounting policies and procedures.