Chief Accounting Officer

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Chief Accounting Officer to lead the finance function of a leading road contracting and infrastructure group in the UAE. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will manage a team of around 40 professionals across multiple entities.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the complete accounting function across all group entities, including month‑end and year‑end closings.
• Supervise General Ledger, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Fixed Assets, Payroll, Treasury and cash‑flow management.
• Ensure accurate project accounting: job costing, work‑in‑progress reporting, contract revenue recognition, retention accounting and cost control.
• Coordinate budgeting, forecasting and financial performance monitoring for large‑scale projects.
• Maintain compliance with IFRS, UAE VAT regulations and statutory requirements, and liaise with external auditors, banks and regulators.
• Strengthen internal controls, improve accounting processes and reporting systems.
• Mentor, develop and lead the accounting and finance team.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; professional qualification (ACCA, CPA, CMA, CA) is a plus.
• Minimum 10 years of accounting experience, with at least 5 years in a senior role within contracting, construction, infrastructure or project‑based organisations.
• Proven experience managing accounting operations for multiple companies and large‑scale projects.
• Strong leadership, analytical and communication skills.

Required skills

• Project accounting, job costing, WIP reporting, retention accounting and contract accounting.
• Financial performance monitoring, budgeting, forecasting and cost control.
• Advanced ERP systems experience (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics/Navision or equivalent).
• Knowledge of IFRS and UAE VAT regulations.