Senior Accountant

AFAQ for Leadership Development L.L.C; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 240,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

AFAQ for Leadership Development L.L.C. is seeking a Senior Accountant to ensure robust financial management, accurate reporting and strong internal controls for UAE operations. The role covers closing, taxation, budgeting, and programme cost control.

The ideal candidate has a solid accounting background, professional qualification, extensive experience in UAE regulations, and proficiency with Oracle ERP and advanced Excel. Fluent English is essential.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of senior accounting experience in related sectors.
• Strong knowledge of UAE VAT, Corporate Tax, and FTA compliance.
• Experience with financial closing, reconciliations, audits, and financial statements.
• Hands-on Oracle accounting/ERP experience.
• Advanced Excel and financial reporting skills.
• Experience in project-based, training, consultancy or professional services preferred.
• Fluency in English; Arabic a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting activities and ensure up-to-date records.
• Manage general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, reconciliations, and closing.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial statements and management reports.
• Develop budgets, monitor programme costs, and provide forecasts.
• Ensure tax compliance and coordinate internal/external audits.
• Monitor cash flow and advise management on financial planning.
• Utilise Oracle for accounting transactions and maintain internal controls.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Attention to detail

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or related discipline

ACCA/CPA/ACA or equivalent

Tools

Oracle ERP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Objective

To ensure that organisation has a robust system of financial management, accurate reporting, effective financial controls, and compliance with applicable UAE financial regulations. The Senior Accountant oversees all accounting activities, including financial closing, auditing, taxation, budgeting, and financial planning, with a strong focus on programme cost control

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Oversee and conduct all accounting activities, ensuring accurate and up-to-date financial records in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
• Manage the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, accruals, and other accounting transactions.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly and year-end closing of accounts, including all necessary reconciliations and adjustments.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial statements and management reports for stakeholders, including analysis of financial performance and significant variances.
• Maintain an effective financial reporting schedule and ensure all reporting deadlines are met.

2. Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Prepare and monitor the organisation's annual operating budget in coordination with the management and relevant departments.
• Develop and review programme-specific budgets and cost estimates in collaboration with the Operations team, ensuring alignment with financial proposals and approved budgets.
• Monitor actual programme expenditure against approved budgets, identify variances, and provide recommendations to ensure cost efficiency and profitability.
• Prepare budget-versus-actual reports, programme profitability analysis, and financial forecasts to support management decisions.
• Monitor cash flow and provide financial advice to management regarding financial planning and resource allocation.

3. Tax Compliance and Auditing

• Ensure compliance with applicable UAE financial and tax regulations, including VAT, Corporate Tax, and Federal Tax Authority (FTA) requirements.
• Prepare and ensure timely submission of accurate tax returns and maintain all supporting documentation.
• Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring financial records, reconciliations, and supporting documents are accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
• Address audit findings, identify financial risks, and implement corrective actions to strengthen internal financial controls.

4. Financial Operations and Controls

• Ensure timely processing of supplier invoices, payments, and receivables, including follow-up on outstanding payments.
• Verify monthly payroll prepared by HR and execute salary payments through the relevant banking channels.
• Maintain and improve financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Ensure effective utilisation of Oracle for accounting transactions, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Supervise and support the Accountant, ensuring accuracy and timely completion of assigned financial activities.
• Perform other accounting and finance-related duties within the scope of the role.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, CPA, ACA, or equivalen.
• Minimum 7–10 years of relevant accounting and finance experience, including experience in a senior accounting capacity.
• Strong practical knowledge of UAE VAT, Corporate Tax, financial reporting, and statutory compliance requirements.
• Proven experience in financial closing, reconciliations, external audits, and preparation of financial statements.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, project costing, financial forecasting, and budget-versus-actual analysis.
• Hands-on experience with Oracle accounting or ERP systems is essential.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency in financial reporting and analysis.
• Experience in project-based, training, consultancy, or professional services environments is preferred.
• Fluency in English is essential; Arabic language proficiency is preferred.