Location: Dubai, UAE (office location to be confirmed; remote working initially)
Salary: Up to 40,000+ per month (tax-free), DOE and negotiable for the right candidate
Schedule: Full-time, regular business hours with flexibility as required
Start Date: ASAP
Job Reference: FO-DXB-01
Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Accountant to join a newly established Single Family Office in Dubai at its very beginning. The Principal is building his private office from the ground up, and the successful candidate will be one of the first members of a small, high-calibre founding team.
In the initial phase, the focus will be on setting up the accounting function from scratch, putting in place the systems, processes and controls that will support the Principal’s personal and business wealth. As the office matures, the role will expand to support a growing investment activity. You will report to the Chief Financial Officer and work closely with the wider team.
The exact office location in Dubai will be confirmed once the core team is in place, so the role may start remotely. Preference will be given to candidates already based in or around Dubai but open to an exceptional international candidate willing to relocate (EU passport preferred).
Due to the confidential nature of this search, further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates only.
Key Responsibilities
- Accounting Set-Up: Help design and implement the family office’s accounting framework from scratch, including the chart of accounts, accounting software, processes, policies and internal controls.
- Bookkeeping & Reporting: Oversee the full accounting cycle across the Principal’s personal and business entities, including general ledger, reconciliations, month-end and year-end close, and the preparation of accurate, timely financial statements.
- Wealth & Entity Accounting: Maintain clear and consolidated records across multiple entities, accounts, assets and currencies, ensuring the Principal has a reliable overview of his personal and business finances at all times.
- Cash & Payments Management: Manage payables, receivables, payment approvals and cash flow monitoring, working closely with the CFO on liquidity and cash forecasting.
- Budgeting & Expense Control: Support the preparation of budgets and forecasts for the family office, residences and related activities, and monitor spending against them.
- Compliance & Regulatory: Ensure compliance with relevant UAE regulations, including Corporate Tax and VAT obligations where applicable, and support any international reporting requirements.
- Audit & Advisors: Act as the main point of contact for external auditors, tax advisors, banks and other service providers on accounting matters.
- Investment Support: As the investment activity develops, support the accounting, valuation tracking and reporting of investments and assets.
- Structure & Documentation: Create clear documentation, workflows and reporting templates that will allow the finance function to scale smoothly as the office grows.
Candidate Profile
- Experience: A minimum of 8 years’ accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a Senior Accountant (or equivalent) position. Proven Family Office experience is essential.
- Builder Mindset: Comfortable joining a brand-new setting and helping to create order, structure and processes where none exist yet.
- Highly Organised: Meticulous, detail-oriented and able to manage multiple entities and priorities at once without losing accuracy.
- Passion for Numbers: Genuinely enjoys the numbers and takes pride in producing clean, reliable financial information.
- Team Player: Works well as part of a small, close-knit team and collaborates easily with colleagues and external advisors.
- Discretion & Integrity: The highest level of confidentiality and professionalism is essential for this role.
Requirements
- Proven Family Office experience is essential
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field
- Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, ACA, CPA or equivalent)
- Strong knowledge of IFRS and multi-entity, multi-currency accounting
- Familiarity with UAE Corporate Tax and VAT is highly advantageous
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with modern accounting software
- Excellent professional English, written and spoken
- Based in or around Dubai preferred; relocation considered for exceptional candidates
What Is Offered
- Compensation: Up to 40,000+ per month (tax-free), DOE and negotiable for the right candidate
- Founding Role: The chance to help build a Family Office finance function from day one
- Growth: A role that will evolve alongside the office as investment activity develops
- Team: The opportunity to work closely with a senior, high-calibre founding team
How to Apply
If you match the profile described above, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please send your CV to jobs@squadplacements.com, quoting job reference FO-DXB-01 in the subject line.