Senior Associate / Assistant Manager Accounting, Client Delivery & CFO Advisory

Location: Dubai, UAEWorking arrangement: Primarily work from home, with client visits and face-to-face meetings as requiredCompany: Xcel Accounting and BookkeepingAbout XcelXcel Accounting and Bookkeeping is a Dubai-based boutique accounting and financial advisory firm with over 20 years of experience supporting businesses across the UAE.Our services include outsourced accounting, management reporting, UAE VAT and Corporate Tax compliance, budgeting, cash-flow management and Fractional CFO advisory.As we continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced accounting professional who can take ownership of client delivery, review the work of team members and contribute meaningfully to our CFO and advisory assignments.About the roleThis is not a basic bookkeeping or data-entry position.The successful candidate will independently manage a portfolio of accounting clients, review work prepared by associates and bookkeeping resources, finalise management accounts and act as a dependable point of contact for clients.The role will also involve supporting and gradually taking greater responsibility for Fractional CFO assignments, including financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management and management reporting.Although the position will primarily be work from home, the successful candidate must be based in Dubai and available to visit client offices or attend face-to-face meetings when required.Depending on the candidate’s experience and capabilities, the position may be offered at Senior Associate or Assistant Manager level.Key responsibilitiesClient portfolio managementIndependently manage a portfolio of accounting and bookkeeping clientsPlan monthly deliverables and ensure that all agreed deadlines are metFollow up with clients for information and resolve outstanding mattersMaintain clear visibility over the status, risks and next steps for every assigned clientAct as the primary point of contact for day-to-day client queriesAttend client offices and face-to-face meetings when requiredEscalate significant matters promptly, together with a recommended course of actionBuild strong and professional relationships with client management teamsAccounting and reviewReview bookkeeping and accounting work prepared by associates and other resourcesReview bank, credit card, receivables, payables and balance-sheet reconciliationsEnsure that accounting records are complete, accurate and supported by appropriate documentationReview trial balances and identify errors, unusual entries and unreconciled balancesFinalise monthly and quarterly accountsEnsure proper month-end and year-end closing proceduresReview supporting schedules and working papers before partner reviewImprove the quality, accuracy and consistency of client filesManagement reportingPrepare and review monthly management accountsAnalyse profit and loss, balance-sheet and cash-flow movementsPrepare variance analysis, KPI reports and management dashboardsIdentify financial trends, risks and areas requiring management attentionTranslate financial information into clear and practical business insightsPresent selected findings to clients and support management discussionsEnsure that management reports are accurate, relevant and issued on timeCFO and advisory assignmentsSupport the partners on Fractional CFO engagementsPrepare budgets, forecasts and rolling cash-flow projectionsAnalyse profitability by client, service, product, branch or business unitAssist with pricing, costing and margin analysisIdentify cash-flow risks, working-capital issues and opportunities for improvementPrepare financial models and scenario analysisSupport management meetings and follow up on agreed action pointsAssist clients in understanding their financial performance and key business driversDevelop toward independently managing selected CFO assignmentsAttend client meetings and provide on-site support where requiredVAT and Corporate TaxReview VAT workings and supporting reconciliationsPrepare or review VAT returns and ensure timely filingSupport UAE Corporate Tax computations and return preparationMaintain complete compliance working papers and client recordsIdentify potential VAT or Corporate Tax issues and escalate them appropriatelyCoordinate with clients to obtain information required for statutory filingsEnsure compliance deadlines are properly monitored and metTeam supervision and developmentAllocate and monitor work assigned to junior team members and bookkeeping resourcesReview work constructively and provide clear feedbackTrain team members on accounting, reconciliations, documentation and reporting standardsMonitor deadlines and intervene before assignments become delayedHelp establish checklists, templates and standard operating proceduresContribute to a culture of ownership, accuracy and continuous improvementSupport the professional development of junior team membersRequired qualifications and experienceQualified or part-qualified CA, ACCA, CMA or an equivalent professional accounting qualificationApproximately five or more years of relevant accounting, audit, financial reporting or advisory experiencePrevious experience managing or reviewing the work of junior accountantsStrong practical knowledge of accounting, reconciliations and financial statement preparationWorking knowledge of IFRSPractical experience with UAE VATKnowledge of UAE Corporate Tax and related compliance requirementsExperience preparing or reviewing monthly management accountsExperience with budgeting, forecasting or cash-flow reportingStrong Microsoft Excel skillsExperience using accounting platforms such as Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho Books or similar systemsStrong written and spoken EnglishMust currently be based in Dubai or willing to relocate to DubaiAbility to travel to client offices within Dubai and other Emirates when requiredAbility to work effectively and independently in a remote environmentPreferred experienceExperience working in an accounting, audit, outsourced finance or advisory firmExperience managing multiple client assignments simultaneouslyExperience dealing directly with SME owners, finance teams and managementExperience supporting or managing Fractional CFO assignmentsExperience preparing budgets, forecasts, financial models and cash-flow projectionsFamiliarity with UAE business practices and regulatory requirementsExperience improving accounting processes and internal controlsUAE driving licence and access to personal transportation would be an advantageThe person we are looking forThe ideal candidate:Takes ownership and follows assignments through to completionReviews work carefully rather than relying on others to identify errorsUnderstands the difference between preparing accounts and critically analysing themCan connect financial results to the operational performance of a businessCommunicates confidently and professionally with clientsIs comfortable attending client meetings and presenting financial informationRaises problems early and proposes practical solutionsCan manage competing deadlines without repeated remindersIs willing to remain hands-on when an assignment requires itIs comfortable supervising and developing junior team membersIs interested in progressing from accounting and compliance into CFO advisory workValues accuracy, accountability and professional integrityWhat we offerExposure to a diverse portfolio of UAE businessesOpportunities to work across accounting, reporting, compliance and CFO advisory assignmentsDirect interaction with Xcel’s partners and senior client managementA structured opportunity to develop management and advisory capabilitiesA primarily work-from-home arrangementOpportunities to attend client meetings and gain direct business exposureA collaborative working environmentCareer progression based on demonstrated capability, ownership and client impact