Senior Accountant (Construction Experience)

Senior Accountant – Construction

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE | Work Location: Abu Dhabi Site Office | Industry: Construction

Job Summary

Desert Group is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant with a minimum of 6 years of accounting experience specifically within the construction industry to manage financial and accounting operations at its Abu Dhabi site office. The successful candidate will be responsible for project accounting, financial reporting, bank transactions, cash flow monitoring, supplier and subcontractor payments, reconciliations, and compliance with company financial procedures.

The ideal candidate must have strong knowledge of construction accounting practices and practical experience with Abu Dhabi banking procedures and business banking transactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day accounting and financial activities for construction projects and the Abu Dhabi site office.
• Maintain accurate financial records, general ledgers, journals, and supporting accounting documentation.
• Handle accounts payable and receivable, including supplier invoices, subcontractor payments, customer collections, and payment follow-ups.
• Process and monitor bank transactions, fund transfers, cheque payments, deposits, and other business banking activities.
• Handle Abu Dhabi banking procedures, including corporate bank account transactions, payment processing, bank documentation, and coordination with relationship managers where required.
• Prepare and maintain bank reconciliations, supplier reconciliations, customer reconciliations, and intercompany reconciliations.
• Monitor project expenses, site expenditures, petty cash, cash advances, and staff reimbursements.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, QS, Procurement, Commercial, and Site Administration teams to verify project costs and supporting documents.
• Monitor project budgets, actual expenditures, cost allocations, and cash flow requirements.
• Review supplier and subcontractor invoices against purchase orders, delivery notes, work completion certificates, and approved supporting documents.
• Assist in preparing monthly financial statements, management reports, project financial summaries, and cash flow forecasts.
• Maintain accurate records of project costs, material purchases, labour expenses, equipment costs, and subcontractor charges.
• Support month-end and year-end closing activities, accruals, provisions, and account reconciliations.
• Ensure timely processing of payments in line with approved payment terms and company procedures.
• Coordinate with external auditors, banks, suppliers, and internal departments regarding financial matters.
• Ensure compliance with applicable UAE accounting, VAT, corporate tax, and company reporting requirements.
• Maintain proper financial documentation and support internal and external audits.
• Identify accounting discrepancies, investigate variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure adherence to internal controls, financial policies, and approval procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of accounting experience exclusively or predominantly within the construction industry.
• Strong experience in construction project accounting, cost monitoring, accounts payable/receivable, and financial reconciliations.
• Practical knowledge of Abu Dhabi corporate banking procedures and business banking transactions.
• Experience handling bank payments, transfers, cheque processing, bank reconciliations, and corporate banking documentation.
• Knowledge of construction accounting, supplier payments, subcontractor accounts, project expenses, and cash flow management.
• Familiarity with UAE VAT, corporate tax requirements, and applicable accounting standards.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and accounting/ERP systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently from an Abu Dhabi site office and coordinate with project and finance teams.
• UAE experience is mandatory or highly preferred.

Work Location: In person