Senior Accountant – Shipping Industry
Location: Dubai, UAEThe OpportunityWe are seeking an experienced, hands-on Senior Accountant to join the finance team of an established shipping and chartering business in Dubai.This role is suited to an accounting professional with a strong background in the shipping industry, ideally within dry bulk shipping, although candidates with relevant tanker shipping experience will also be considered.The successful candidate will be comfortable working directly with the numbers, overseeing day-to-day accounting activities, and ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.Working closely with the Finance Manager, the successful candidate will take ownership of core accounting processes, monitor financial performance, maintain balance sheet integrity, and provide clear visibility of the company's financial position on a weekly and monthly basis.The role will also involve supervising and supporting a team of junior accountants, ensuring high standards of accuracy, accountability and financial control across the department.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Accounting & ReportingTake a hands-on approach to day-to-day accounting, reviewing transactions, journals, reconciliations and supporting schedules.Prepare and review weekly financial reports, providing clear visibility of the company's financial position, outstanding items and key movements.Produce accurate monthly management accounts and financial reports, ensuring completeness and reliability of the underlying numbers.Maintain and review balance sheet accounts, investigate discrepancies, and ensure balances are properly reconciled and supported.Analyse financial results, identify variances, and highlight issues requiring management attention.Support month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring reporting deadlines are met.Cash Flow & Payment MonitoringMonitor payment plans, outstanding payables and receivables, and upcoming financial commitments.Maintain visibility of cash movements and expected inflows and outflows, escalating potential issues where appropriate.Review account balances and outstanding items to ensure the finance team has an accurate, up-to-date view of the company's financial position.Support effective working capital management through accurate reporting, reconciliation and follow-up.Shipping & Voyage AccountingOversee accounting activities relating to shipping, chartering and voyage operations.Review voyage-related revenues, costs, accruals and expenses to ensure transactions are accurately recorded.Reconcile operational and financial information, investigating discrepancies and ensuring costs and revenues are correctly allocated.Maintain accurate accounting records across relevant shipping and chartering activities.Work closely with operational and commercial colleagues to resolve accounting queries and ensure financial information reflects underlying business activity.Team Supervision & Process ManagementSupervise and guide a team of junior accountants, reviewing their work and ensuring accounting tasks are completed accurately and on time.Maintain effective accounting procedures, reconciliations and internal controls.Identify and resolve accounting issues, taking ownership of problems and following them through to resolution.Work closely with the Finance Manager to deliver reliable reporting and support the wider finance function.Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting accuracy and efficiency.RequirementsBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.Professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, CPA, CA or equivalent.
Qualified or part-qualified candidates with strong relevant experience will also be considered.Solid experience in a hands-on accounting role within the shipping or maritime industry.Dry bulk shipping experience is preferred; candidates with tanker shipping experience will also be considered.Strong understanding of financial accounting, general ledger management, balance sheet reconciliations and month-end closing.Demonstrable experience preparing and reviewing weekly and monthly financial reports.Experience monitoring payment schedules, receivables, payables and cash flow-related information.Previous experience supervising or reviewing the work of junior accounting staff.Strong Excel skills and experience working with accounting or ERP systems.High attention to detail, strong numerical and analytical skills, and the ability to investigate and resolve discrepancies independently.A practical, proactive approach, with the ability to work closely with senior finance leadership and operational teams.Ideal Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate is a technically strong, hands-on accountant who enjoys working in the detail, understands how the numbers translate into the company's financial position, and can deliver accurate reporting while maintaining oversight of day-to-day accounting activities.Candidates currently working as a Senior Accountant, Financial Controller or Finance Manager may be considered, provided they remain comfortable with detailed accounting responsibilities and are interested in a role focused on accounting ownership rather than a purely strategic or management-level finance position.