Chief Accountant

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Chief Accountant is responsible for managing, directing, and controlling all financial, accounting, and reporting activities of the General Contracting company — including but not limited to ensuring full compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Federal Tax Authority (FTA) regulations, UAE Value Added Tax (VAT) law, and the financial requirements of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) and Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).

This position ensures accurate and transparent financial reporting, cost control, budgeting, and coordination with internal departments, banks, auditors, and regulatory authorities. The Chief Accountant also manages overall financial governance, supervises accounting personnel, and supports management decision-making related to financial planning and project cash flow management.

The scope of responsibility is not limited to the items listed herein. The Chief Accountant shall perform all other duties and tasks reasonably required to ensure the company’s financial integrity, compliance, and operational efficiency in accordance with applicable UAE laws and company policies.

Responsibilities

Financial Management and Accounting

• Maintain and control all financial transactions, including general ledger, journal entries, trial balance, and bank reconciliations, in accordance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards).
• Supervise all accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cost accounting, and project budget control.
• Ensure proper management of Letters of Credit (LCs), bank guarantees, performance bonds, and retention accounts.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) for internal and external reporting.
• Oversee progress billings, subcontractor payments, and cost allocations for projects.
• Review and approve all supplier invoices, purchase orders, petty cash, and payroll (processed under the Wages Protection System – WPS).

Taxation and Regulatory Compliance

• Manage and ensure full compliance with Federal Tax Authority (FTA) requirements for Value Added Tax (VAT) registration, calculation, filing, and reporting.
• Prepare and submit all VAT returns and ensure Input and Output VAT reconciliation in compliance with the UAE law.
• Maintain readiness for FTA audits and respond to tax authority queries.
• Coordinate with Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, Department of Economic Development (DED), Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi Municipality, and the Central Bank of the UAE for financial documentation, certifications, and renewals.
• Liaise with Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and insurance authorities on payroll, employee benefits, and compliance reports.

Cost Control and Project Accounting

• Manage cost allocation, retention, and progress billing for all projects under the General Contractor’s scope.
• Review and verify project budgets, purchase orders, and subcontractor claims for financial accuracy.
• Prepare cost variance analysis and highlight deviations to management.
• Maintain detailed cost ledgers for each project, including materials, labor, equipment, and overheads.

Audit, Reporting, and Liaison with Authorities

• Coordinate with external auditors for annual and interim audits, ensuring accurate submission of audit schedules and supporting documents.
• Prepare and maintain management reports for cash flow forecasting, profitability analysis, and financial performance review.
• Liaise with banks, auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory bodies for all statutory and compliance requirements.
• Ensure documentation and reporting are compliant with UAE Commercial Companies Law, DED, and DMT classification requirements.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor accounting staff, assign tasks, and verify accuracy of their work.
• Provide guidance on accounting standards, VAT, and compliance procedures.
• Conduct regular reviews to ensure team performance and accuracy of financial reporting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Commerce from an accredited university.
• Equivalency Certificate from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education – mandatory
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in accounting and finance, including at least 5 years within construction or general contracting companies in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
• Strong knowledge of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), UAE VAT Law, and UAE Labor and Commercial Regulations.
• Experience in interaction with FTA (Federal Tax Authority), DED (Department of Economic Development), DMT (Department of Municipalities and Transport), Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, and external auditors.
• Proficiency in ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems such as SAP, Oracle, etc.
• Excellent command of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Advanced English proficiency (verbal and written); Arabic language is an advantage

Conditions

• Guaranteed timely payment of wages

• Hiring as a company employee

• Probation period adaptation program

• Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE