Accountant

ACCA Careers; Lahore; On-site; PKR 1,674,000 - 2,567,000; Full time

Job summary

ACCA Careers in Lahore, Pakistan, is seeking a qualified Accountant to manage the finance function for UAE clients, based at our Lahore office. The role covers day-to-day accounting, UAE bank portal operations, WPS salary processing, VAT and Corporate Tax compliance, with the finance system built on Zoho Books.

The role requires direct interaction with UAE-based leadership, banks, and auditors, strong English communication, a presentable demeanor, and a deadline-driven approach to ensure timely

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; part-qualified ACCA/CA/CPA preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant accounting experience, preferably UAE/GCC entities.
• Hands-on experience with UAE bank portals, WPS/SIF processing, VAT filing, and exposure to UAE Corporate Tax.

Responsibilities

• Maintain books in Zoho Books for UAE entities in line with IFRS.
• Process day-to-day transactions including sales, purchases, expenses, payroll journals, and accruals; perform month-end/year-end closing.

Skills

IFRS knowledge

English communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

ACCA / CA / CPA (part-qualified or qualified preferred)

Tools

Zoho Books

Job description

Accountant – UAE Operations

Location: Lahore, Pakistan (based at the Group’s Lahore office, working exclusively on UAE entity accounts)

Reports To: Manager Finance

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Summary

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Accountant to manage the finance function of our UAE clients, based out of our Lahore, Pakistan office. The role covers day-to-day accounting, UAE bank portal operations and WPS salary processing, and VAT and Corporate Tax compliance for the assigned UAE entities, with the finance system built entirely on Zoho Books. The role reports into senior finance management and requires direct, confident interaction with UAE-based leadership, banks, and auditors — strong English communication skills, a presentable and professional manner, and a diligent, deadline-driven attitude are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Bookkeeping

Maintain complete and accurate books of accounts in Zoho Books for the assigned UAE entities, in line with IFRS. Process day-to-day transactions covering sales, purchases, expenses, payroll journals, and accruals within Zoho Books. Perform month-end and year-end closing activities, including GL, bank, and intercompany reconciliations. Maintain the fixed asset register, prepayment schedules, and provisions. Support preparation of entity-level financial statements and audit schedules.

Banking & Payments (incl. WPS)

Operate UAE bank portals for payments, transfers, standing instructions, and reconciliations across multiple accounts. Process monthly salary disbursement through the Wage Protection System (WPS), including SIF file preparation and upload. Identify and resolve WPS rejections and exceptions in coordination with HR and the bank. Perform regular bank reconciliations and monitor cash positions across UAE entities. Liaise with UAE banks on account maintenance, documentation, and day-to-day banking matters.

VAT & Corporate Tax Compliance

Prepare and file UAE VAT returns accurately and within FTA deadlines. Maintain VAT reconciliations, input/output tax schedules, and supporting documentation for FTA review. Support preparation of UAE Corporate Tax computations, working papers, and return filings. Track statutory filing calendars across entities and flag compliance risks proactively. Coordinate with external tax consultants and auditors on VAT and Corporate Tax queries.

Reporting & MIS

Prepare periodic management reports, schedules, and variance analysis for senior management, using Zoho Books reports and analytics. Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow reporting as required. Maintain organized, audit-ready working papers and supporting files.

Stakeholder & Process Coordination

Communicate directly and confidently, in both writing and speech, with UAE-based management, auditors, banks, and vendors. Report directly to senior finance management on the financial position and open matters of the assigned UAE entities. Coordinate with the Lahore finance team and UAE operations to ensure timely month-end close. Identify and recommend process improvements for accuracy, control, and efficiency.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; part-qualified or qualified ACCA / CA / CPA preferred. Minimum 3 years of relevant accounting experience, preferably supporting UAE or GCC entities. Hands-on experience with UAE bank portals, WPS/SIF processing, VAT filing, and exposure to UAE Corporate Tax (Non-negotiable). Proven experience reporting directly to senior management or leadership in a previous role, with the ability to present financial information clearly and confidently. Experience in a shared-services, outsourced accounting, or multi-entity environment is an advantage.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Strong working knowledge of accounting principles (IFRS) and month-end close processes. Hands-on, working-level proficiency in Zoho Books is required — including bank feeds, reconciliations, the VAT filing module, and standard/custom reporting; experience managing multiple entities/organizations within Zoho Books is an advantage. Proficiency in UAE online banking portals and WPS/SIF file preparation. Working knowledge of UAE VAT law and Corporate Tax regulations. Advanced MS Excel skills (reconciliations, pivot tables, lookups).

LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION

Excellent English oral, written, and listening skills are mandatory, as the role requires direct daily communication with UAE-based management, banks, and stakeholders.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Presentable and professional demeanor. High diligence and attention to detail, particularly with statutory filings and bank transactions. Strong sense of ownership with a committed, timeline-driven attitude. Comfortable reporting and presenting directly to senior management/leadership, without close day‑to‑day supervision. Trustworthy handling of confidential financial and banking information. Ability to work independently while staying closely aligned with UAE‑based leadership.