Accountant

An Educational Investment Group that Owns and Runs Schools in the UAE

Dubai, UAE

Ref: RP590-27

Job description / Role

Employment: Full Time

An Educational Investment group that owns and runs schools within the UAE is seeking an Accountant to manage the finances of the group. This includes financial forecasting, budgeting, reporting, and ensuring proper books of accounts are maintained in compliance with the local law.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FINANCIAL PLANNING & REPORTING
• Develop, seek approval and implement the finance strategy and oversee financial operations of the company’s entities within the country;
• Ensure control, monitoring, and execution of all financial-related activities in the country;
• Lead the development, consolidation, forecasting, and periodical review of the annual budget and predict forecasts;
• Analyse capital investments, contract negotiations, and pricing decisions;
• Conduct internal compliance and control assessments, identify and address risk areas, implement measures to mitigate the risk of irregularities;
• Recommend benchmarks for the measurement of company financial performance goals;
• Account for any budget variances and report significant discrepancies to management;
• Publish complete and timely consolidated financial statements to company executives, shareholders, and the board;

ACCOUNTING FUNCTIONS & ADMINISTRATION
• Perform all necessary financial accounting activities, bank reconciliations, and checks, assuring complete and correct allocation of costs, while ensuring that internal and external accounts reporting complies with the relevant financial standards and regulations;
• Ensure adherence to tax-related requirements and compliance with local tax regulations (where applicable);
• Execute proper registration, documentation, and archiving of relevant financial documents;
• Maintain a comprehensive system of accounting records;
• Create monthly and annual reports to identify results, trends, and financial forecasts;
• Suggest updates and improvements for accounting systems, including payroll and invoicing;
• Establish and implement financial reporting systems to comply with local regulations and legislation;

LIAISON WITH EXTERNAL ADVISORS
• Maintain corporate relationships with external advisors such as solicitors, auditors, and banks;
• Develop and provide financial management statements, reports, and analyses to relevant internal and external parties when approved by management;
• Share complete and timely bank statements to company executives;
• Liaise with auditors for periodical financial monitoring;
• Perform any reasonable duties as requested by the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in handling all accounting and finance functions (Preferred experience in the Education sector)
• Degree in Finance or Accounting
• Good understanding of accounting principles and International Financial Reporting Standards
• Experience using Accounting / Financial software’s such as Quickbooks
• Chartered Accountant / Certified Public Accountant (Preferred)
• Proficient English Language Skills
• Proficient in MS Office and use of ICT Devices