Accounting Manager

Main Purpose of Job:The role is within the Finance and Accounting team of St. James’s Place Asia & Middle East division, with responsibility for accuracy of local accounting books, as well as relevant regulatory or annual (audit, tax or statutory) returns. The role also contributes to consolidated financial accounts and reports for the AME region.St. James’s Place Middle East, which opened in June 2023, comprises 74 employees including 22 adviser practices. It is a Category 4 DIFC regulated company, with 2025 revenues of $2.6m that managed $162m of client assets as at that date.Key Responsibilities of the Job: Bookkeeping & accounting for the SJPME entity & accountability for its interactions with the rest of the SJP GroupSupport continuous alignment with other Group entities and optimization of consolidated reporting as relevantPreparation, coordination & review of monthly control files and account reconciliationsPreparation of statutory financial statements and management of the external audit processDevelopment of strong governance around financial reporting, data management and controlsEnsuring compliance with all applicable rules and regulations for DIFC/DFSA financial reporting requirements (including client money handling)Ensuring compliance with all applicable rules and regulations for VAT and UAE Corporate Tax filingsRequirements of the Job: Delegated responsibilities from Senior Manager (SMF) Preparation of reports to Financial Regulators (DIFC/DFSA)Preparation of annual financial statements for external auditLeadership & People Management Responsibilities: Foster a collaborative approach to local bookkeeping and audit activities by sharing knowledge, building confidence in technical discussions, and creating opportunities for colleagues to take on increased responsibilityIdentify overlaps with other teams to effectively resource needs, or make business case for growth of the team as requiredJob Functional Knowledge:Equivalent of Chartered Accountant or Management Accountant qualificationManagement of full GL and outputs for a legal entity along with reporting to managementMust be willing to be “hands on” with processes and detail, including reconciliations, ad hoc analyses and moreFamiliarity reviewing & improving systems or processes for efficiency, time-savings and accuracy across a functional areaBusiness Expertise:Limited pre-existing industry expertise required: familiarity with investment and/or insurance sector an advantage, but not requiredPossess strong technical accounting acumen and analytical skills combined with high integrityProblem Solving:Will be highly problem-solving, self-motivated, well-organized and show strong team spirit and a strong level of leadershipWill possess strong analytical skills and exercise judgement to consider risks and opportunities within basic financial reporting data in a way that informs and allows decision-makingNature and Scope of Impact:Role has functional impact in driving change across the team and its processes, and a direct impact on effectiveness and compliance of regulatory reporting and therefore the business’ license to operateInterpersonal Skills:Requires interaction with external parties (particularly auditors and tax advisers) and internal staff at all levelsInvolvement in ongoing tracking to the annual budget, including reforecasting, correcting and reporting on performance during the yearAble to credibly propose solutions & changes and influence stakeholders towards implementationBoards and Committees Asia Finance Committee (monthly) as member – analysis & explanation of financial results of Middle East business and sharing understanding of underlying transactionsSpecial Requirements: Preferably well acquainted with accounting standards, taxation regulations, local regulations & process within the DIFCExcel including VBA macros, Unit 4 Agresso / Business World, and automation projects an advantage but not requiredFluent English (oral and written)