We are looking for an Senior 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.