We are looking for an Accountant - Payroll & Expense who will be responsible for payroll processing, employee expense accounting, and financial reconciliation for our client based in Abu Dhabi — a semi-government organization.
A suitable candidate is someone who is a finance professional who can ensure IFRS-compliant payroll accounting, manage employee expense claims and reconciliations, and support ERP automation initiatives within payroll and expense modules. You should also have experience in executing month-end payroll accruals and closings, Delegation of Authority (DoA) compliance, and coordination with HR, Treasury, and Finance teams.
Key responsibilities:
- Prepare and process monthly payroll transactions in coordination with HR to ensure timely and accurate salary disbursements.
- Validate payroll inputs such as attendance, bonuses, overtime, and deductions to ensure accurate payroll computation across all entities.
- Record and reconcile payroll expenses in ERP/business systems, ensuring correct posting of salaries, benefits, and deductions.
- Prepare payroll-related accounting entries, accruals, and adjustments during month-end and year-end closings in line with IFRS.
- Ensure correct allocation of payroll costs across departments, projects, and entities to support cost accuracy and reporting transparency.
- Monitor advances, deductions, and allowances in coordination with HR to ensure policy compliance and payroll integrity.
- Process and record employee expense claims, travel advances, and settlements in compliance with financial policies and Delegation of Authority (DoA).
- Validate supporting documentation for expense claims and ensure correct cost center and project allocation.
- Monitor and reconcile employee advances and petty cash accounts to ensure timely clearance and control over outstanding balances.
- Perform monthly reconciliations of payroll control accounts, employee advances, and expense ledgers to ensure ledger integrity.
- Prepare payroll and expense schedules for financial reporting and consolidation, supporting accurate month-end and year-end disclosures.
- Collaborate with Financial Control and Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting (PB&F) teams to align payroll and expense data with reporting and forecasting cycles.
- Coordinate with Tax and Compliance teams on VAT treatment for employee-related expenses.
- Monitor Delegation of Authority (DoA) adherence in payroll and expense approvals to prevent unauthorized transactions.
- Support ERP enhancement and automation initiatives within payroll and expense accounting modules.
Knowledge, skills & experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, Data Analytics, or a related discipline; master's degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.
- Professional certification preferred, such as CFA, CMA, ACCA, or CPA, or equivalent.
- Proven experience in end-to-end payroll processing, validation, and accounting, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant salary disbursements in line with UAE labour law.
- Hands-on experience in employee expense processing, travel advance management, and reimbursement accounting.
- Strong understanding of IFRS, WPS regulations, and financial governance frameworks to ensure transparency, statutory compliance, and audit readiness.
- Experience in payroll reconciliations, expense ledger management, and interdepartmental coordination with HR, Treasury, and Finance.
- Proficiency in ERP/business systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) for payroll and expense accounting modules.
Availability: Preference will be given to candidates available immediately or a maximum of 30 days.
We are looking for a candidate who will be able to work in the United Arab Emirates. Please apply with your resume and remember to provide us with your contact details.
