Job vacancy Accounting Specialist

Our client is a leading global law firm with over 1,500 lawyers and 20 offices worldwide.

Accounts Payable/Expenses

• Review invoices and expense claims submitted by UAE personnel for coding, accuracy, VAT/tax validity, and compliance with Firm policy. Post Firm overhead invoices on Chrome River and address related inquiries, both internally and externally
• Facilitate payment for approved invoices and expense claims through bank transfers. Submit standard release emails and supporting documentation for payment release. Monitor automated remittance advices generated by the system
• In exceptional cases, directly post invoices on the Aderant accounts system and prepare manual cheque requests and one-off bank transfers when necessary. Compile adjusting general ledger journals in line with the firm's standard format, submitting them to the LA finance team along with supporting documentation
• Maintain the firm's master Vendor records, set up new vendor details, and adhere to the firm's callback procedures for new vendors and vendor bank details changes. Keep a firm-approved vendor callback log available for firm management
• Manage UAE client bank accounts, monitor them daily, post new client account receipts as instructed by UAE partners, process client bank payments, and generate client account reports upon request

VAT & Tax Accounting

• Assist the Finance Manager in preparing the quarterly UAE VAT Return by generating accounts payable invoice reports as needed
• Collaborate with the London-based billing team to create a report of client bills delivered each quarter, which is then submitted to the Finance Manager for use in quarterly VAT calculations
• Process incoming VAT receipts and outgoing VAT payments to/from the UAE tax authorities. Prepare VAT journals under the direction of the Finance Manager to reconcile VAT general ledger control accounts quarterly.

General Ledger

• Oversee general ledger entries for the UAE offices. Prepare monthly reconciliations for all client and operating bank accounts. Submit bank reconciliations for review by the Finance Manager, addressing any related queries and submitting reclass journals to the LA finance team when necessary

Budget

• Assist the Director of Administration in partially preparing the annual expense budgets for the UAE offices using the firm's budget tool

Payroll

• Assist in setting up net salary payment bank transfers, remitting social security taxes, and pension payments to third parties. Prepare and submit the monthly payroll journal to the LA finance team along with a report on attorney compensation

Accounts Receivable

• Monitor UAE operating bank accounts throughout the day, identify, record, and post receipts in the Aderant accounting system. Share receipt reports with relevant parties and handle inquiries and communications related to receipts.

Treasury/Petty Cash

• Support the Finance Manager in preparing the UAE offices' cash flow forecast for submission to the LA treasury team. Track monthly funding transfers and transfer excess funds to other offices as instructed
• Administer, control, and replenish the UAE offices' petty cash float. Receive, verify, and process expense vouchers, post-paid vouchers in the Firm's accounts system, and perform regular counts, reconciling the cash balance with the general ledger control account

Billing

• Generate simple pre-bills for UAE partners as instructed by LA or London office Billing Supervisors. Edit bill narratives using the paperless proforma system. Serve as a billing liaison for UAE partners and secretaries, following up with LA/London billing staff on outstanding billing issues and queries as needed
• Collaborate with the e-billing team in Los Angeles, providing information and explanations to facilitate the submission of UAE e-bills online for client payment

Other

• Participate in monthly meetings with the Finance Manager and/or Director of Administration, as well as other inter-office meetings and training sessions. Take part in the Finance department's annual training session
• Provide coverage for other offices as required and offer weekend on-demand support to UAE partners during peak times.

In addition to the summarized duties, this position may entail other tasks assigned by the Finance Manager, Director of Administration, and senior Firm personnel.

• Previous experience in a similar finance role, preferably within a professional services firm (US-based preferred) with multiple branch offices
• Fluency in English is a must, while knowledge of Arabic and other relevant languages in operating jurisdictions would be advantageous
• Strong understanding of UAE VAT requirements and applicable tax regulations for business expenditures in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, prioritize tasks, demonstrate innovation, and maintain strong organizational skills with great attention to detail
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, and professionalism when interacting with individuals at all levels
• Ideally, familiarity with professional accounting software used across multiple cost centers
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Ability to work under pressure, manage frequent interruptions, and meet tight deadlines while exercising sound judgement, diplomacy, professionalism, and courtesy