Senior Manager - General Accounts

Department of Finance - Abu Dhabi; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A government financial department in Abu Dhabi is looking for a qualified individual to oversee its General Accounts section. You will lead a team, manage financial accounting practices, and ensure compliance with relevant standards. Ideal candidates need a bachelor's degree in accounting and 6 to 8 years of relevant experience. This role offers an opportunity to drive efficiency and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in accounting or equivalent.
• 6 to 8 years of experience in a similar field/position.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the General Accounts section and ensure high-quality outputs.
• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing cycles.
• Ensure compliance with international accounting standards.

Skills

Financial accounting

Team management

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field

Job description

Objective

Oversee and direct the General Accounts section, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial accounting practices across the Department. Lead and manage a team of accounting professionals, driving efficiency, standardization, and adherence to best practices in general ledger management, financial closing, and reporting processes. Act as the key liaison with internal and external stakeholders on general accounting matters, while supporting the Senior Director in ensuring integration, compliance, and continuous improvement of financial systems and processes.

Essential Duties

• Lead the General Accounts section, managing and mentoring a team of accountants to ensure high-quality outputs and professional growth.
• Oversee the integrity and accuracy of the general ledger, sub-ledgers, and all related financial data across the organization.
• Direct the monthly, quarterly, and annual closing cycles, ensuring timely completion, accuracy, and compliance with regulatory and internal reporting requirements.
• Review, approve, and validate journal entries, adjustments, reconciliations, and other accounting transactions prepared by the team.
• Develop and enforce section-level policies, procedures, and internal controls to strengthen financial governance and mitigate risks.
• Ensure compliance with international accounting standards, local regulatory frameworks, and internal financial policies.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director to support audits, providing oversight and ensuring timely and accurate responses to external and internal auditors on general accounting matters.
• Analyze complex financial data, variances, and reconciliations, and provide insights to senior management for decision-making.
• Act as the primary escalation point for accounting discrepancies, ensuring resolution of issues impacting financial records or reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to optimize systems, processes, and reporting mechanisms.
• Support integration efforts for new entities or systems, ensuring proper ledger setup, alignment with accounting standards, and seamless incorporation into existing financial systems.
• Oversee preparation of financial data and reports for internal stakeholders, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with organizational needs.
• Serve as the accounting focal point for cross-functional collaboration with AP, AR, Treasury, Fixed Assets, Inventory, HR, Budget, and other finance-related units.
• Maintain oversight of differences between accrual and cash-based reporting, ensuring proper documentation, reconciliation, and communication to relevant stakeholders.
• Champion knowledge transfer and team capability building by providing guidance, training, and support on accounting systems, standards, and processes.
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and service orientation within the General Accounts section.
• Represent the General Accounts section in internal committees, meetings, and initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Department’s strategic objectives.
• Provide the necessary support to the line manager and perform any other related tasks assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher, in the field of accounting or its equivalent in a related field.
• Preferable to have 6 to 8 years of experience in a similar field/position.