Senior Accountant – Payroll & Expense

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Accountant specialized in payroll and employee expense accounting for a semi‑government client in Abu Dhabi. The role involves ensuring IFRS‑compliant payroll processing, managing expense claims, and supporting ERP automation initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and process monthly payroll transactions in coordination with HR, ensuring timely salary disbursements.
• Validate payroll inputs such as attendance, bonuses, overtime and deductions across all entities.
• Record and reconcile payroll expenses in ERP systems, posting salaries, benefits and deductions accurately.
• Execute month‑end and year‑end payroll accruals, adjustments and IFRS‑aligned accounting entries.
• Allocate payroll costs to departments, projects and entities for transparent reporting.
• Process employee expense claims, travel advances and settlements, ensuring correct cost‑center allocation.
• Monitor advances, deductions and allowances in line with Delegation of Authority (DoA) policies.
• Perform monthly reconciliations of payroll control accounts, employee advances and expense ledgers.
• Collaborate with Finance Control, Budgeting & Forecasting, Tax and Compliance teams on reporting, forecasting and VAT treatment.
• Support ERP enhancement and automation projects within payroll and expense modules.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or related field; MBA or master’s preferred.
• Professional certification such as CFA, CMA, ACCA or CPA is a plus.
• Proven end‑to‑end payroll processing experience in the UAE, including knowledge of WPS regulations and labour law.
• Hands‑on experience with employee expense processing and travel advance management.
• Strong understanding of IFRS, financial governance and audit readiness.
• Ability to work immediately or within 30 days and to be based in the United Arab Emirates.

Required skills

• Payroll Processing
• VAT treatment
• Employee expense accounting
• ERP automation
• Payroll accruals
• Financial reconciliation
• SAP
• Oracle