Senior Accountant

Job Purpose

The Senior Accountant will manage the day-to-day accounting operations of the company with a strong focus on construction project accounting, contract costing, subcontractor and supplier management, and revenue recognition for ongoing projects. The role requires hands-on expertise with the Odoo ERP system across Accounting, Invoicing, Purchase, Inventory, and Project modules, along with thorough knowledge of UAE VAT, Corporate Tax, and IFRS standards relevant to construction contracts.

Key ResponsibilitiesGeneral Accounting & Reporting

• Maintain accurate books of accounts in Odoo ERP, including journal entries, general ledger, and chart of accounts.

• Manage month-end and year-end closing activities including accruals, prepayments, and provisions.

• Prepare monthly financial reports, trial balance, P&L, and balance sheet for management review.

• Perform bank reconciliations, intercompany reconciliations, and balance sheet schedule preparation.

• Assist the Chief Accountant / Finance Manager in the preparation of statutory financial statements under IFRS.

• Support external auditors during interim and annual audits by providing required schedules and documentation.

Construction & Project Accounting

• Maintain project-wise cost accounting including direct materials, labor, subcontractor costs, equipment, and overheads.

• Apply IFRS 15 revenue recognition for construction contracts (percentage-of-completion / input method).

• Prepare and review Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules, cost-to-complete estimates, and project profitability reports.

• Account for Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), payment applications, retentions, advance payments, and variations / change orders.

• Reconcile contract revenue, billed amounts, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and advances from customers (contract liabilities).

• Track and account for performance bonds, advance payment guarantees, retention guarantees, and labor guarantees.

• Coordinate with project managers, QS / commercial teams, and procurement to validate cost bookings and accruals.

Accounts Payable & Subcontractor Management

• Process supplier and subcontractor invoices in Odoo, ensuring proper matching with POs, GRNs, and IPCs.

• Manage retention payable accounting and timely release of retentions upon project milestones / defect liability completion.

• Verify subcontractor payment certificates, deductions, back-charges, and material recoveries.

• Manage staff payroll postings, WPS compliance, end-of-service benefits (gratuity), and leave salary provisions.

• Maintain the supplier and subcontractor master in Odoo with accurate trade license, TRN, and contract details.

Accounts Receivable & Collections

• Raise tax invoices for IPCs / progress billings in Odoo and ensure timely submission to clients / consultants.

• Monitor accounts receivable aging, follow up on overdue invoices, and coordinate collection with project teams.

• Track retention receivables and ensure timely collection upon project completion and DLP expiry.

• Maintain customer master records with TRN and contract details to ensure VAT compliance on invoices.

Taxation & Compliance (UAE)

• Prepare and file periodic VAT returns through the FTA portal, ensuring correct treatment of construction supplies, reverse charge, designated zones, and out-of-scope transactions.

• Maintain VAT working files, input/output VAT reconciliations, and audit-ready documentation.

• Assist in UAE Corporate Tax computations, registration, and return filing in line with FTA guidelines.

• Ensure compliance with WPS, Economic Substance Regulations (ESR), and UBO requirements where applicable.

• Stay updated on changes in UAE tax laws and FTA clarifications relevant to the construction sector.

Odoo ERP Operations

• Operate Odoo Accounting, Invoicing, Purchase, Inventory, and Project modules on a daily basis.

• Configure and maintain analytic accounts / analytic tags for project-wise and cost-center-wise reporting in Odoo.

• Customize and generate Odoo financial reports, project P&L reports, partner ledgers, and aging analyses.

• Identify process gaps in Odoo workflows and coordinate with the ERP / IT team for enhancements and automation.

• Train junior accountants and end-users on Odoo accounting workflows and best practices.

Cash Flow, Budgeting & Internal Controls

• Support cash flow forecasting at project and entity level, highlighting funding requirements to management.

• Assist in preparation of annual budgets and project budgets, and perform monthly budget vs. actual variance analysis.

• Monitor bank facilities, LCs, LGs, project loans, and ensure timely fee accruals and reconciliations.

• Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting policies, and SOPs; recommend improvements where required.

Qualifications & ExperienceEducation

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or related discipline (mandatory).

• Part-qualified or qualified professional accountant (ACCA, CMA, CA, CPA) is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 5–8 years of accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a senior accountant role.

• Mandatory hands-on experience in construction, contracting, MEP, civil, or infrastructure companies in the UAE.

• Proven hands-on working experience with Odoo ERP (Community or Enterprise) — not just basic data entry.

• Demonstrated experience handling project costing, IPC billing, subcontractor accounting, and retentions.

• Experience with UAE VAT filings and FTA portal is mandatory.

Technical Skills

• Strong hands-on proficiency in Odoo ERP – Accounting, Invoicing, Purchase, Inventory, Project, and Analytic Accounting.

• Solid understanding of IFRS, particularly IFRS 15 (Revenue from Construction Contracts) and IAS 37 (Provisions).

• Thorough knowledge of UAE VAT Law and FTA filing procedures, including construction sector specifics.

• Working knowledge of UAE Corporate Tax regulations and compliance requirements.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP / XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, financial reporting).

• Familiarity with WPS, payroll accounting, and end-of-service benefit calculations.

Behavioral Competencies

• High attention to detail and strong analytical skills.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict reporting and project deadlines.

• Strong communication and coordination skills with project, procurement, and commercial teams.

• Proactive problem-solver with ownership mindset.

• Integrity, professionalism, and ability to handle confidential financial information.

• Fluent in English; Arabic is an advantage.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy and timeliness of monthly closing and management reporting.

• Timely and accurate IPC billing and supplier / subcontractor payment processing.

• 100% compliance with VAT and Corporate Tax filing deadlines.

• Accuracy of project cost bookings, WIP, and revenue recognition.

• Reduction in DSO and improvement in retention collection cycle.

• Effective use of Odoo for reporting, analytics, and process efficiency.

Application Question(s):

• Odoo

Experience:

• Construction Contracting Infrastructure: 4 years (Required)

Work Location: In person