So what is the scenario if you want to be an accountant or auditor or finance manager in Dubai? What would be the salary of an accountant in Dubai? What all qualifications do you need to be a Dubai accountant? We have attempted to describe all these factors right in this article. Keep scrolling to know more.

Accountant in Dubai: Job description responsibilities

The job of an accountant is one of the basic jobs position which would be available in roughly every organization. As an accountant, you are supposed to do all the relevant financial calculations for the company that employs you. If you get recruited in an accounting firm, then probably you will be tasked with managing accounts of multiple companies who will be clients to the accounting firm.

The tasks and responsibilities entrusted upon you may vary from company to company. So basic tasks of an accountant involve bookkeeping (in small firms that do not have an exclusive bookkeeper), preparing cash-flow statements and sales reports, preparing and managing annual, half-yearly, quarterly or monthly budgets, keeping track of inventory against purchases and sales, making trial balances and creating and maintaining balance sheets and other necessary financial statements, managing billing activities etc. Additionally, an accountant may be tasked with the responsibility of filing income tax returns, generating reports on the basis of financial statements and previous reports. In some firms, the accountant may also be responsible for carrying out occasional internal audits too.

Accountant in Dubai: Qualifications

Here are some factors that companies in Dubai consider while looking for an accountant for their firm.

• Experience:

Obviously, the accountant with some degree of previous experience will get a generally greater preference for any job opening. Moreover, experienced professionals get a greater package. It is advisable so, that you take up a job soon as you finish your degree or certification course. One or two years of experience would reflect very positively on your resume. The first of your jobs might not be with your favorite company, but so far as it builds your resume relevantly, go for it.

In case you are facing a lot of difficulty in finding a job even in smaller firms, go for interning with any of those companies. A certificate of internship with some decent company should help you get your first job and build your experience.

• Degrees:

Those aspiring to get a job as an accountant in Dubai should be holding at least a degree in one of the following programs:

• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Business Management
• Bachelor of Economics
• Bachelor of Economics and Finance
• Bachelor of Finance
• Bachelor of Accounting

Needless to say that a masters in finance or related field will score you a possibly better position and salary.

• Certifications

Firms now generally give preference to accountants with the status of Certified Public Accountant. Usually getting certified by top accounting bodies involves taking and passing a test or examination. The certification need not be from a UAE based institution itself- though it is of course better. It can be from any of the top accountant’s professional bodies in the world. Getting a job in Dubai is relatively easy even for foreign nationals. The certification will help you stand out in the completion you face in Dubai for jobs in good firms. As a certified accountant, it should be easier for you to get selected for top job posts with higher packages.

• Knowledge of accounting software

Today most tasks are being computerized, so is the task of accounting. In such competitive environments, companies operating at a good scale would have accounting software installed. While most companies do give training, they ultimately would give more preference to candidates who have the basic knowledge of one or more of the popular accounting software like Tally, MS Excel, Quickbooks etc.

Accountant in Dubai: Salary

So we have come to the part where we discuss an average salary received by accountants of various titles in Dubai, or say, in the UAE in general. According to the latest reports and surveys, the salary offered to accountants in Dubai can range anywhere from an average of $60k per annum for entry-level jobs to $120k per annum for experienced and senior accountant job positions. The salary package that you are offered with can vary based on the firm you are applying for, the job description and several other factors.

Here are few things that would help you fetch above average salary as an accountant in the UAE.

• Certification

The accountants in Dubai who hold certification from some of the top professional bodies in the region are undoubtedly one of the most heavily paid ones in among accountants. And, fairly so. Statistically, they receive an average salary which is about 30% higher than the average salary received by uncertified accountants.

• Education

As it goes, those who have done masters in Finance, economics, accounts or related field get high preference. Even better if you hold the degree from one of the top colleges.

• Internships, job experience, and recommendations

If you are just beginning your career, an internship certificate or a prior job experience will put your down for a better salary even for entry-level positions. Even better if you get hold of a letter of recommendation from some senior in the company you worked for.

• Accounting software

There are various courses that would teach you how to operate accounting software. Enroll for one and figure out the basics of accounting software before you apply for jobs.

So, this article should have given you a rough idea of what it would be like to be an accountant in Dubai. We discussed the average salary range, the common jobs titles and job descriptions in the field of accounts and finance, the expected average qualifications for those posts. Do you think we’ve missed any point out in our discussion? Did you find the article helpful? Let us know!