Senior Accountant - Travel & Tours

Position Overview

The Senior Accountant plays a key leadership role in managing the financial operations of a Travel & Tours company. This position ensures accurate accounting, compliance with industry-specific regulations, proper handling of travel-related financial transactions, and preparation of financial statements to support decision-making. The role requires strong knowledge of travel agency billing, supplier reconciliations, IATA processes, and cost control.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.

• Maintain the general ledger, ensuring timely and accurate posting of all transactions.

• Manage month-end and year-end closing processes.

• Analyze financial data and provide insights to management on revenue, expenses, and profitability.

• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and organizational policies.

Travel Industry Accounting

• Oversee IATA accounting, including reconciliation of statements and settlement files.

• Monitor supplier (airlines, hotels, DMCs, car rentals) invoices and reconcile balances.

• Validate tour packages, ticketing revenue, commissions, refunds, voids, and cancellations.

• Track client and corporate bookings, ensuring accurate invoicing and revenue recognition.

• Manage travel vouchers, credit notes, and prepaid expenses.

Accounts Payable & Receivable

• Oversee timely settlement of supplier payments.

• Ensure accurate billing to customers and timely collection of receivables.

• Review and reconcile credit card transactions, travel cards, and bank receipts.

Budgeting & Cost Control

• Assist in preparation of annual budgets and forecasts.

• Monitor operational costs associated with tours, ticketing, and travel services.

• Recommend improvements to reduce costs and optimize profitability.

Audit & Compliance

• Coordinate with external and internal auditors.

• Ensure compliance with UAE tax regulations, VAT, and tourism-related statutory requirements.

• Maintain proper documentation for tax filings and corporate regulatory audits.

Process Improvement

• Streamline accounting workflows to increase accuracy and efficiency.

• Implement internal controls specific to Travel & Tours operations.

• Support automation or integration of accounting systems with booking engines/GDS (e.g., Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre).

Team Leadership

• Supervise junior accountants and finance staff.

• Provide training and guidance on travel industry accounting processes.

• Review team work to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA/ACCA preferred).

• 4–7+ years of accounting experience; minimum 2 years in the Travel & Tourism industry highly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of IATA processes and travel supplier accounting.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in accounting software (Tally, SAP, Oracle).

• Familiarity with GDS systems (Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo) is a plus.

• Strong Excel and financial analysis skills.

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail and strong analytical ability.

• Ability to manage deadlines and handle high-volume transactions.

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

• Integrity and strong ethical standards.

Work Environment

• Office-based role with potential coordination with ticketing, reservations, operations, and sales teams.

• May involve occasional after-hours work during month-end or peak travel seasons.

Please send cv to hrdubai@miegroups.com, kindly write down Senior Accountant as a subject.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From AED7,000.00 per month