Senior Accountant

First Marine Services; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UAE maritime sector is seeking a seasoned Senior Accountant. The ideal candidate will manage accounting related to vessel chartering, ensuring compliance with IFRS and UAE regulations, and possess expertise in QuickBooks. This role is critical for overseeing financial operations, banking facilities, and digitizing accounting processes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of accounting experience in the UAE, with at least 5 years in vessel chartering or maritime sector.
• Fluent in English (Arabic is a plus), with skills in financial oversight and banking facilities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with IFRS and UAE regulations.
• Manage all accounting entries related to vessel chartering.
• Lead the budgeting process for vessel operations and support cost-control initiatives.

Skills

Invoicing

Bookkeeping

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field

CPA or ACCA certification

Tools

QuickBooks

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Accountant with substantial experience in vessel chartering operations and financial oversight within the UAE maritime sector. The ideal candidate must hold a professional certification (CPA or ACCA) and possess deep expertise in managing banking facilities, cost control, and digitizing accounting processes. A strong command of invoicing, bookkeeping, and QuickBooks is essential to this role.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Maintain and manage all accounting entries related to vessel chartering, including revenue recognition, voyage expenses, and cost allocation.
• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with IFRS and UAE regulations.
• Oversee general ledger reconciliation and manage journal entries for complex financial transactions.

Invoicing, Bookkeeping, and Software

• Prepare, issue, and track invoices for vessel chartering and related marine services in a timely and accurate manner.
• Record all invoicing and receivable transactions with complete supporting documentation.
• Ensure robust and organized bookkeeping practices, maintaining accurate ledgers and supporting audit readiness.
• Handle vendor invoicing and expense matching, with regular reconciliation of payable accounts.
• Must have proven experience using QuickBooks for full-cycle accounting, including invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, and financial reporting.

Banking & Financial Facilities

• Coordinate with banks and financial institutions for the management of credit lines, term loans, and working capital facilities.
• Prepare and review loan agreements, covenant reports, interest and repayment schedules, and related documentation.
• Maintain strong relationships with banking partners and ensure compliance with all facility terms and conditions.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the budgeting process for vessel operations and support cost-control initiatives across departments.
• Provide financial insights to management regarding vessel profitability, utilization rates, and operating margins.
• Conduct variance analysis and advise on corrective actions when financial performance deviates from forecasts.

Digitization & Process Improvement

• Champion the transition from traditional accounting to digital platforms for invoicing, approvals, and reporting.
• Work closely with IT and finance teams to implement workflow automation tools and system integrations.
• Drive adoption of cloud-based accounting tools and ensure consistency in digital record-keeping across all functions.

Regulatory & Audit Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UAE VAT regulations and other statutory requirements.
• Support external and internal audit processes by preparing required documentation and addressing audit queries.
• Maintain internal control procedures for financial accuracy and risk mitigation.

Skills

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (Master’s Degree is a plus).
• CPA or ACCA certification is mandatory.
• Minimum 8 years of accounting experience in the UAE, with at least 5 years in the vessel chartering or maritime sector.
• Proven hands-on experience with QuickBooks and other accounting systems (ERP preferred).
• Strong background in invoicing, bookkeeping, and full-cycle accounting practices.
• In-depth knowledge of UAE banking sector practices and facility structuring.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Fluent in English (Arabic is a plus).