Job description
Accountant – Design & Build Interior Fit-Out
Location: Dubai, UAE
Reporting to: Managing Director
Industry: Design & Build / Interior Fit-Out Contracting
About the Role We are seeking a commercially minded, hands-on Accountant to take ownership of the full finance and accounting function for a design and build interior fit-out contracting company based in Dubai.
The business specialises in commercial office and residential fit-out projects, delivering projects from design development through to construction and handover. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will be responsible for managing the complete accounting function, providing accurate financial reporting, maintaining strong financial controls, and ensuring the business has clear visibility of its financial performance and cash flow.
This is a key position within the business, requiring an individual who can operate independently, manage day-to-day accounting activities, and provide meaningful financial insight to support commercial decision-making. The ideal candidate will have experience in the UAE construction or fit-out sector and understand the financial complexities of project-based contracting, including job costing, work in progress, subcontractor payments, variations, retentions, and project profitability.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Management & Reporting
- Take full ownership of the company's day-to-day accounting and finance function, ensuring accurate and timely financial records.
- Prepare monthly management accounts, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, cash flow reports, and supporting schedules.
- Provide regular financial updates and performance reports directly to the Managing Director.
- Monitor business performance against budgets, forecasts, and financial targets, highlighting risks and opportunities.
- Prepare project-level financial reports to track revenue, costs, margins, and profitability across individual contracts.
- Maintain accurate general ledger records and oversee month-end and year-end closing procedures.
- Manage annual budgeting, financial forecasting, and periodic reforecasting in collaboration with the Managing Director and project teams.
Project Accounting & Commercial Control
- Monitor project budgets, committed costs, actual expenditure, and forecast final account positions across commercial office and residential fit-out projects.
- Track project revenue, variations, change orders, claims, and cost movements to ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Monitor work in progress (WIP), accrued income, deferred income, and project cost allocations, ensuring revenue and costs are recognised appropriately.
- Work closely with project managers and commercial teams to identify cost overruns, margin erosion, and potential financial risks.
- Monitor subcontractor applications, payment certificates, supplier invoices, and contractual retentions.
- Support the preparation and review of project cash flow forecasts and final account reconciliations.
- Ensure project costs are correctly allocated and reported to provide reliable visibility of profitability at both project and company level.
Cash Flow, Credit Control & Treasury
- Manage company cash flow, daily banking activities, and short-to-medium-term cash flow forecasting.
- Monitor accounts receivable and payable, ensuring timely customer invoicing and supplier payments.
- Oversee client payment applications, invoicing, outstanding balances, and collection follow-ups in coordination with the project teams.
- Monitor payment terms, overdue debts, supplier commitments, and working capital requirements.
- Maintain effective financial controls to support liquidity, minimise credit risk, and ensure the business can meet its financial obligations.
Accounts Payable, Receivable & Payroll
- Oversee the purchase ledger, sales ledger, bank reconciliations, petty cash, expense claims, and company credit card reconciliations.
- Ensure supplier and subcontractor invoices are accurately recorded, authorised, and processed in line with agreed payment terms.
- Manage customer invoicing in accordance with contractual milestones, valuations, and payment schedules.
- Coordinate payroll processing, staff expense accounting, leave provisions, and other employee-related financial records.
- Maintain accurate supplier, customer, subcontractor, and employee account records.
Tax, Compliance & Financial Controls
- Ensure compliance with applicable UAE accounting, tax, and statutory reporting requirements.
- Manage VAT return preparation and submissions, ensuring accurate VAT treatment and supporting documentation.
- Oversee corporate tax compliance and coordinate with external tax advisers where required.
- Maintain appropriate accounting policies, internal controls, approval procedures, and financial record-keeping practices.
- Liaise with external auditors, banks, insurance providers, and professional advisers as required.
- Ensure the company maintains accurate financial records and is prepared for audits and statutory reporting deadlines.
Business Support & Commercial Insight
- Act as the principal finance contact for the Managing Director, providing clear and reliable financial information to support business decisions.
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting accuracy, cash flow, and cost control.
- Provide early warning of financial risks, project losses, cash flow pressures, and potential contractual exposure.
- Support tender reviews, project pricing assessments, overhead analysis, and margin evaluations where required.
- Develop and maintain practical financial reporting systems and procedures appropriate to a growing design and build contracting business.
Requirements & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
- ACCA, CIMA, CPA, or equivalent professional qualification would be advantageous.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant accounting experience , ideally within the UAE construction, interior fit-out, design and build, or contracting sector.
- Demonstrable experience managing a full accounting function, including management accounts, cash flow, budgeting, financial reporting, and statutory compliance.
- Strong understanding of project-based accounting, job costing, WIP, revenue recognition, subcontractor accounts, retentions, and project profitability.
- Good working knowledge of UAE VAT and corporate tax requirements.
- Experience preparing monthly management accounts and presenting financial performance directly to senior management or business owners.
- Strong Excel skills and experience using accounting software or ERP systems.
- Excellent organisational skills, commercial awareness, and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently, prioritise competing deadlines, and take full ownership of the finance function.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with the Managing Director, project managers, commercial teams, suppliers, and clients.
The Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will be a proactive, commercially aware accountant who is comfortable taking responsibility for the complete finance function within a project-driven contracting business.
They will understand that the role extends beyond bookkeeping and statutory compliance. They will be expected to provide the Managing Director with a clear picture of the company's financial position, cash flow, project margins, outstanding debtors, and future financial commitments.
The ideal candidate will be hands-on, organised, analytical, and confident in identifying financial issues early and recommending practical solutions.
What We Offer
- A key finance position reporting directly to the Managing Director.
- The opportunity to take ownership of the company's complete accounting and reporting function.
- Direct involvement in commercial and operational decision-making.
- Exposure to a varied portfolio of commercial office and residential design and build projects.
- The opportunity to improve financial systems, reporting, and controls as the business develops.
- A competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.
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