Atkins are looking for an Assistant Financial Accountant to join the Financial Accounting team within the Middle East Shared Services Function (SSF or more commonly known as Central Finance). The Assistant Financial Accountant will report to the responsible Finance Manager.
SNC Lavalin's Atkins business is one of the largest multidisciplinary, multi sector engineering design consultancies in the world and is part of the SNC Lavalin Group.
As one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies with a leading track record in the defence sector, Atkins are ideally placed to respond to this market. We have a broad establishment and proud, 50 year history throughout the Middle East region.
We provide a full range of design, engineering and project management services for buildings, transportation and other infrastructure programmes. Atkins in the Middle East now employs around 2,000 staff serving Gulf clients across all market sectors from offices in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Manama, Muscat, Riyadh, and Sharjah.
A position has arisen to assist the Finance Manager in delivering a high quality book-keeping and reporting function for EDPM MEA. The Assistant Financial Accountant will support in delivering the day to day book-keeping, financial accounting, reporting and analysis activities. The role will be focused on ensuring clear, accurate and insightful reporting to the MEA Finance team and to the Group and EDPM Sector team in Canada and the UK respectively. The role will assist the Finance team to ensure that monthly closing process operates effectively.
Responsibilities
- Monthly record-keeping and posting of journals in the system;
- Manage assigned core area of financial accounting (e.g. prepayments or accruals etc);
- Preparation of periodical reports and reconciliations for Local & Group management;
- Supporting the Finance Manager on ad-hoc initiatives and analysis;
- Assisting with the Reporting and Financial Accounting for all Middle East companies;
- Ensuring compliance with Finance Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the business;
- Assisting with the transactional analysis and reconciliations to drive business improvement;
- Assisting the team with internal and external audits, statutory and tax compliance etc;
- Assisting with the preparation of Financial Statements, Government and bank surveys etc;
- Helping to ensure the accuracy of workflow and completion within the specified deadlines;
- Develop strong working relationships with team members and other key stakeholders;
- Seek opportunities to learn new skills and aspire to develop within the team;
Technical Competencies
Essential
- Qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA/CPA or other recognised Western Accounting qualification;
- Minimum of 2 years, experience within a Finance Environment.
- Competent accountant with good understanding of double entry and accounting best practices.
- Experience in accounts reconciliations.
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel (ability to build custom models is an advantage).
- Working knowledge of other Microsoft Office tools;
- High standard of (numerical) presentation skills;
- Excellent communication in English (both written and oral).
- Experience of interacting with multiple businesses and finance functions;
- Experience of working within a multi-cultural environment;
- Proven ability to develop strong working relationships and communicate effectively at all levels.
Desirable
- Some Big 4 experience as an associate or above (PwC/EY/KPMG/Deloitte);
- Some exposure to working in a consulting entity (which uses hourly rate-based costing);
- Working knowledge of JD Edwards, Hyperion Finance Management (HFM), Smart View or similar accounting & reporting software;
Behavioural Competencies
Essential
- Initiative - Able to work independently with minimum supervision, make suggestions on best practice and improving current processes and procedures.
- Problem Solving - Can think of creative solutions to problems.
- Strong interpersonal skills - Able to develop productive internal working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
- Analytical - Able to analyse large volumes of date and clearly communicate findings.
- Teamwork - Willingly cooperate with others towards the same goals and objectives.
- Communication skills - Clear, concise and relevant in both the verbal and written form.
- Time Management - Able to prioritise, plan ahead and achieve objectives within strict deadlines.
- Influencing - Confident liaising with and influencing at all levels within the organisation.
- Cultural Awareness - Able to work within a diverse team and to engage all colleagues.
- Capable of intelligent debate - challenge colleagues in a constructive manner, communicate complexity clearly, avoid being abrasive or judgemental.
Rewards & Benefits
We offer an excellent package which includes:
- A competitive salary
- Transportation allowance
- Medical and life insurance cover
- 22 calendar days annual leave
- Medical and life insurance cover
- Company gratuity scheme
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Annual flight allowance to point of origin
- Employee Assistance Programme – 24 hour free advice on financial, legal and family care specialists and also access to personal health, fitness and nutrition consultants.
