General Accountant - Contracting Industry

Role Overview

The General Accountant is responsible for managing day-to-day accounting operations, maintaining accurate financial records, supporting month-end closing activities, and ensuring compliance with UAE financial regulations. The role requires strong experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, VAT compliance, and financial reporting. The successful candidate will contribute to the efficient financial management of the company and support business operations through accurate and timely accounting processes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Cash & Petty Cash Management

• Administer petty cash disbursements for Engineering, Procurement, and Marketing teams.

• Receive, verify, and record all petty cash transactions bill-by-bill ensuring complete supporting documentation.

• Post all petty cash entries accurately and in a timely manner within the ERP accounting system.

• Perform periodic petty cash counts and reconcile balances to ensure zero discrepancies.

2. Bank Management & Reconciliation

• Process supplier and subcontractor payments upon verification of all supporting documentation and approvals.

• Initiate approved transactions via the online banking portal in accordance with authorization matrices.

• Prepare and complete bank reconciliation statements on a timely basis, identifying and resolving discrepancies promptly.

• Record and track all customer receipts, ensuring accurate allocation against outstanding invoices.

3. Accounts Receivable & Invoicing

• Prepare and issue monthly invoices to clients for landscaping maintenance projects.

• Prepare project-specific invoices as required, following validation of Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs).

• Maintain and actively manage the Accounts Receivable (AR) aging report; follow up on overdue balances proactively.

• Reconcile customer Statements of Account (SOA) and resolve discrepancies in coordination with the relevant teams.

• Upload invoices to client portals (e.g., Iskaan, iSupplier) as required, ensuring compliance with client-specific requirements.

4. Accounts Payable & Supplier Management

• Verify supplier invoices and supporting documents for accuracy, completeness, and proper authorization.

• Record approved progress invoices in ERP and monitor vendor balances and aging.

• Prepare and process supplier and subcontractor payments in line with agreed contractual terms.

• Maintain up-to-date records of supplier advance payments and follow up on tax invoice receipt.

5. Work-In-Progress (WIP) Management

• Record and regularly update WIP expenses for all ongoing landscaping projects.

• Ensure accurate cost allocation by project and division within the ERP system.

• Coordinate with Project Managers to obtain timely project status updates for accurate financial reporting.

6. Vehicle & Fleet Expense Management

• Record and monitor all vehicle-related expenditures including fuel, parking, Salik charges, insurance, and maintenance costs.

• Allocate vehicle expenses accurately by project and division in ERP on a monthly basis.

• Prepare the monthly Vehicle Expense Report and submit to the Finance Manager for review.

7. Fixed Assets & Depreciation

• Record all asset acquisitions in the fixed asset register upon receipt of supporting documentation.

• Coordinate with the Asset Management team to ensure alignment and accuracy in asset records.

• Reconcile depreciation schedules monthly and investigate any discrepancies with Asset Management.

8. VAT, Corporate Tax & Statutory Compliance

• Prepare and review quarterly VAT workings, ensuring compliance with UAE VAT regulations.

• Perform VAT reconciliations and submit VAT returns upon management approval within regulatory deadlines.

• Maintain accurate records to support corporate tax calculations and regulatory submissions.

9. Prepayments, Accruals, Provisions & Deposits

• Manage monthly prepayment schedules and ensure correct automated postings are in place.

• Record accruals and provisions to ensure completeness and accuracy of monthly financials.

• Maintain deposit records and ensure proper reconciliation at each month-end.

10. Month-End Closing & Reporting

• Ensure all accounting entries are properly recorded and reconciled prior to month-end closing.

• Review and reconcile intercompany transactions to maintain clean balances.

• Accurately record PRO expenses, credit card charges, supplier advances, and subcontractor transactions.

• Ensure all pending LPOs are invoiced and accounted for within the applicable reporting period.

Internal Reporting Deliverables

• Weekly: Ongoing Project Progress Reports.

• Monthly: Vehicle Expense Report, Cost of Sales (COS) Report, Parking Expense Report (from Salik account).

REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in ERP and Government/Third-Party portals.

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, Outlook); strong spreadsheet and data analysis capabilities.

• Solid understanding of UAE VAT regulations and corporate tax compliance requirements.

• Experience in project-based accounting and WIP management preferred.

Behavioral Competencies

• High attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and data integrity.

• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Professional communication skills and ability to liaise effectively with cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated integrity, confidentiality, and discretion in handling sensitive financial information.

• Proactive and solutions-oriented mindset with a continuous improvement attitude.