Senior Accountant - Technical Cost

Job description / Role

Job Purpose
To analyze, process and maintain Engineering and Maintenance technical cost transactions and records ensuring smooth workflow and compliance with approved accounting standards and procedures. Independently, prepares budgets, financial reports and financial analysis. Interacts with internal and external parties such as banks, auditors, and suppliers in order to facilitate or resolve function-related matters as per Air Arabia adopted policies and procedures.

Candidate Profile Key Result Responsibilities
* Supervises and follows up on all the Engineering and Maintenance Technical Costs activities for Air Arabia and Third Party customers in coordination with Engineering Teams ensuring timeliness and accuracy in executing and recording all related transactions and ensuring they are reflected in monthly statements accordingly.
* Independently, manages the closing activities in the Engineering and the SAGE X3 systems to be concluded by 07th of each month; provides timely rates, reviews invoices against SAGE X3 and manually, executes monthly reconciliations and follows up with vendors and suppliers accordingly. 
* Conducts cost and invoice analysis; this includes revision of costs, monitoring the invoice processing authorization limits, and confirming the Engineering entries integrated with Sage X3 in accordance with corresponding  documents. 
* Monitors invoices cleared for internal approvals, verifies due dates, prices, quantities, etc., prior to processing payments. 
Follows up with respective departments for queries related to invoices and resolves accordingly. 
* Utilizes/maintains available data and records to monitor costs and payments; analyzes rates in purchase orders/invoices against previous purchases and agreed contracting terms. 
* Ensures timely receipt and posting of assets invoices; prepares schedules of FOC Value Assets.
* Reviews and analyzes the activity process from time to time for better controls and reports from the SAGE X3.  Handles “Accruals Accounts” for Delta adjustments in the SAGE X3 system; prepares claims for Maintenance reserves and others.
* Partners with Stakeholders to prepare budgets for the direct sector costs; compares actual costs versus estimates, analyzes variations and highlights areas of difference on monthly basis. Communicates results to department heads to ensure proper budgeting and reasoning for any cost increase.
* Monitors and reviews the Advance Suppliers Accounts for credit facility and credit enhancements whenever needed.
* Conducts analysis and monthly reports on the Open Orders position and status.  Coordinates with the Engineering teams on any cancellations of orders and records the same accordingly.
* Works closely with Stakeholders to finalize the routine inventory reconciliation of Rotables, Engines, APU’, and Consumables. 
* Maintains financial records of corresponding stock items. Prepares timely balancing of the related accounts under the fixed assets sheet/inventory stock list.
* Coordinates with external auditors on schedules to facilitate audit reviews and ensure smooth inspection and compliance with audit requirements such as statutory compliances as per adopted procedures.
* Carries out Micro Analysis and MIS Analysis of various costs; monitors Supplier Aging Technical Cost from the (SAGE X3) and reviews reconciliation for open items keeping tight control of high aged items.

Requirements

Candidate Profile
* Appropriate fluency in English Language.
* Sound knowledge in accounting cycle, process flow and procedures is a pre-requisite.
* Possesses comprehensive knowledge in financial control and accounting fundamentals such as SFAS (Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts).
* Capable of preparing budgets and monitoring expenditure in line with agreed targets.
* Excellent financial, analytical and reporting skills.
* Strong math and numerical reasoning ability and high accuracy are mandatory for this role.
* Familiar with formalities and pre-requisites associated with internal and external audits.
* Experienced in a computerized accounting environment with an exposure on financial models and new technologies.
* High attention to details, confidentiality, and ability to adhere to procedures and set measures are a must.

Qualifications (Academic, training, languages)
* Bachelor degree in Accounting / Finance/ Commerce or equivalent from a recognized university.
* Professional qualification as an Accountant is an advantage.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office- Advanced Excel, Access, Word, Power Point skills, Internet and Web Search.
* Cost Control, Compliance, Budgeting and Auditing certificates and trainings are an added value and some may be treated as conditional for this role.  

Work Experience
* 5+ years of comprehensive experience in corporate finance or accounting in Airline Industry;
* Minimum of 3 years at least handling cost areas related to Engineering and Maintenance sections.
* He/she must have worked in a mid-sized organization operating on a regional/multinational level,
* Preferably in Airlines/ Maintenance & Repairs & Operating industry; experience with low-cost airline would be an advantage.

About the Company

Air Arabia (PJSC), listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is the Middle East and North Africa's first and leading low-cost carrier flying to over 100 destinations across the world. Air Arabia was the first airline to introduce the low-cost carrier concept in the region and is on a mission to serve all Arab countries and beyond, constantly undergoing aggressive route expansion, taking advantage of its ideally located hubs in the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan. Over the past thirteen years, Air Arabia, through continuous market research and customer feedback, provides a range of value added services to millions of passengers who chose to fly with Air Arabia's fleet of A320 aircraft. The airline commenced operations in October 2003 and achieved financial break-even from its very first year of services and has been profitable ever since.