The role supports the UAE Finance Manager in the day-to-day financial operations of a four-person Middle East finance team covering Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and occasionally Riyadh.Key Dimensions- Support finance operations across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and occasionally KSA.- Build strong working relationships with colleagues across Asia and other global offices, enabling effective remote collaboration.- Assist the Finance Manager in ensuring smooth financial operations, effective WIP management, timely collections, and the accuracy and integrity of financial and statutory reporting.Key Responsibilities:Operational Finance:- Provide finance support across ME offices on matter management, billing (including e-billing), tax, compliance, and cash collection.- Coordinate with shared service centres to ensure billing processes are completed smoothly and in line with firm policies, regulatory requirements (e.g. SRA rules), client fee arrangements, and tax compliance.- Manage the cash collection process, including direct finance-level communication with clients.- Support the ME Finance Manager in monitoring key financial drivers and proposing improvements to enhance regional performance.General Finance: - Assist with month-end and year-end close processes, budgeting, and financial analysis (including variance and profitability analysis).- Support internal and external audits, internal controls, and compliance activities.- Promote financial discipline and best practices across ME offices.Statutory Reporting & Tax Compliance- Assist with preparation of UAE VAT and Corporate Income Tax returns and annual audits.- Participate in the design and implementation of the e-invoicing process.- Assist with quarterly UAE VAT returns.- Prepare monthly KSA tax compliance reports, including review of timesheets, travel documents, and travel trackers.Additional Responsibilities- Understand and align with the firm’s strategy and vision and its impact on the practice.- Monitor developments within the finance function and highlight potential financial implications.- Provide financial analysis and respond to queries from the UAE Finance Manager and Partners as required.
Education & Qualifications- Bachelor’s degree.- Knowledge of SAP (desirable).Experience- 2–3 years’ experience in a finance role, ideally within a professional services environment.- Exposure to commercial environments with some experience in statutory and management accounting (desirable).Technical & Office Skills- Advanced Excel skills.- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.- Experience with financial accounting systems (desirable).Language Skills- Fluent English (mandatory).- Fluent Arabic (desirable).Personal Attributes- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.- Highly organised self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.- Confident and professional when dealing directly with Partners and clients.- Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to develop internal and external networks.- Willingness to challenge existing processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.- Approachable, diligent, and detail-oriented, with high integrity when handling sensitive information.- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.- Mature and confident personality (desirable).- Culturally sensitive with regional experience (desirable).- Curious and open-minded (desirable).