Manager | Internal Audit - Arabic Speaking | Business Risk Services

Grant Thornton UAE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton UAE seeks a Senior Internal Audit Manager to lead multiple client engagements across UAE public and private sectors. You will supervise fieldwork, manage teams, and ensure quality across audits, risk assessments and delivery of solutions.

Ideal candidates hold a degree in Accounting/Finance, 7–10+ years in Internal Audit/Risk within a UAE consultancy, and a professional qualification (CIA, CISA, CRMA). English and Arabic fluency is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 7–10+ years of related work experience in Internal Audit/Risk Management within a consulting firm in the UAE with at least 2 years of experience managing independent teams
• Qualified level candidate of professional qualification (CIA, CISA, CRMA)
• Industry knowledge and focus with UAE government, semi-government, and private sector organizations is mandatory
• Strong written and spoken English and Arabic is mandatory
• Confident in delivering and managing a portfolio of Internal Audits assignments while managing a team
• Experienced in the use of data analytics, with a track record of successful use of the tool
• Process-minded, organized, with an eye for detail and excellent analytical skills
• Willingness and ability to work additional hours, as needed, and travel to various client sites

Responsibilities

• Managing a portfolio of client relationships, ensuring satisfaction and retention
• Leading risk, compliance, and audit engagements from planning to close-out
• Acting as fieldwork lead, overseeing teams and deliverables
• Monitoring WIP, billing, and collections to minimize write-offs and aged debtors
• Contributing to the training and development of execution team members
• Identifying client needs and cross-sell relevant services
• Contributing to proposals and leverage the firm’s global network for enhanced delivery
• Understanding and communicating the firm’s competitive advantage
• Overseeing project delivery and practice management activities
• Ensuring quality control and team review across engagements

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Risk management

Audit fieldwork oversight

Data analytics

Communication skills

Arabic language

English language

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

Job description

Grant Thornton UAE is a leading professional services firm, providing audit and assurance, tax and advisory services across multiple industries. We have served public and private sector clients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for almost 60 years and are committed to delivering quality and excellence driven by fresh thinking, diverse perspectives and a personalised approach. Grant Thornton UAE is part of a global network of independent firms with over 76,000 professionals across 150 markets.
We're driven by a purpose of shaping the world we live in, grounded in trust, integrity and the belief that dynamic businesses and thriving communities go hand in hand. By living our purpose and focusing on quality in everything we do, we strive to be the go-to firm for growth.

At Grant Thornton UAE, our people drive our impact. With over 50 nationalities represented across our teams, we’re proud to foster a culture that celebrates diversity, empowers individuals and delivers meaningful outcomes for our clients and communities. Our unique environment combines the opportunities of a major global organisation with the connection and collaboration of a close-knit firm.

Here, you can widen your opportunities. Be inspired. Be challenged. Be yourself. Here, you can.

Service Line Overview

Our Advisory practice helps organisations solve their most critical challenges across strategy, operations, risk, and technology. We work with clients to improve performance, manage uncertainty, and unlock sustainable growth. Our multidisciplinary teams combine deep technical expertise with commercial insight, delivering solutions across Business Advisory, Financial Advisory, Mergers & Acquisitions / Transaction Advisory and Technology & Digital Advisory.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a portfolio of client relationships, ensuring satisfaction and retention
• Leading risk, compliance, and audit engagements from planning to close-out
• Acting as fieldwork lead, overseeing teams and deliverables
• Monitoring WIP, billing, and collections to minimize write-offs and aged debtors
• Contributing to the training and development of execution team members
• Identifying client needs and cross-sell relevant services
• Contributing to proposals and leverage the firm’s global network for enhanced delivery
• Understanding and communicating the firm’s competitive advantage
• Overseeing project delivery and practice management activities
• Ensuring quality control and team review across engagements

Success Criteria

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Accounting or Finance
• 7 - 10+ years of related work experience in Internal Audit/Risk Management within a consulting firm in the UAE with at least 2 years of experience managing independent teams
• Qualified level candidate of professional qualification (CIA, CISA, CRMA)
• Industry knowledge and focus with UAE government, semi-government, and private sector organizations (Asset Management, Capital Projects, Family Offices, Property Management, Education, etc.) is mandatory
• Strong written and spoken English and Arabic is mandatory
• Confident in delivering and managing a portfolio of Internal Audits assignments while managing a team of junior colleagues
• Experienced in the use of data analytics, with a track record of successful use of the tool
• Process-minded, organized, with an eye for detail and excellent analytical skills
• Willingness and ability to work additional hours, as needed, and travel to various client sites

Our Values

We’re looking for people who connect with and live our CLEARR values. These values shape how we work with our clients, support one another and contribute to the communities we serve.

• Collaboration – Ask for help, give help – we work well together
• Leadership – Have courage and inspire others – we challenge each other to be the best we can be