Job descriptions RH Finance & Accounting

Assistant Accountant

Verifies and posts transactions to journals, ledgers and other records. Prepares statements, invoices and vouchers. May handle balancing and reconciliations. May specialise in one area of the accounting function. An understanding of bookkeeping procedures and a minimum of one to two years of experience are required.

Accountant AP/AR

Reviews invoices for accuracy. Sorts documents by account name or number, and processes invoices for payment. May perform other clerical duties associated with accounts payable. May post transactions to journals, ledgers and other records. An understanding of bookkeeping procedures and at least one to two years of experience are required.

Accountant General Ledger

Prepares month-end general ledger close journal entries and supporting reconciliations. Performs monthly financial statement corporate reporting using e.g. Hyperion. Drafts internal financial reports and supporting analytics for division senior management. Supports special projects and processes improvement initiatives.

Chief Accountant

Manages accounting functions. Prepares reports and statistical data detailing financial results. Establishes and maintains accounting practices to ensure data necessary for business operations is accurate and reliable. May specialise in one or more functional accounting areas, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll or budget. Supervises professional and/or clerical accounting employees. Typically, a degree in accounting or business, and five to eight years of experience, are required.

Credit Controller

Ensures the settlement of outstanding accounts according to contract terms. Contacts customers by telephone and/or letter. Reviews customers’ credit limits and accounts, sends monthly statements, issues escalation or final notice letters, and refers unpaid accounts for debt collection or legal action.

Credit Manager

Determines credit worthiness of clients and formulates credit and collection policies. May supervise the work of one or more of the following functions: credit clerk, controller or analyst. Takes appropriate action against delinquent accounts. An accounting degree is preferred and three to five years of credit and collection experience are required, in most parts of the world.

Payroll Manager

Manages the preparation, distribution and reporting processes for payroll. Oversees the calculation of wages, overtime and deductions to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. Ensures that payments and government reports are disbursed accurately and on time. Establishes policies and procedures for payroll. Typically, three to five years of experience are required.

Management Accountant

Plans and conducts comprehensive studies to improve the operational and financial effectiveness of the unit. Performs statistical, cost and financial analysis of financial reports and data, and prepares subsequent narrative analysis for management.

Plans and conducts in-depth studies to determine cost of business activities. Recommends budget adjustments and other cost improvement measures. Analyses financial data, and extracts and clarifies relevant information.

Interprets data to determine past financial performance and/or to project financial probability. Reviews costs and performs cost/benefit analysis related to projects and/or programmes.

Develops financial reports to determine forecasts, trends and results analysis. Records, classifies and summarises financial transactions and events in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Interprets financial transactions and events for economic or business decision-makers.

Financial Controller

Supports financial management in directing budget and cost controls, financial analysis, and accounting procedures. Manages financial statement preparation.

Organises and plans auditing schedules. Develops policy and procedure manuals for accounting departments. May file tax returns. Typically, a degree and four to six years of experience are required.

Internal Auditor

Conducts audits to verify accuracy of records and compliance with standards, policies and procedures. Compiles audit findings and recommendations to modify and improve systems and procedures. A degree in accounting or business is required and two to four years of experience is desired.

Compliance Officer

The Compliance Manager designs and implements programs, policies, and practices to ensure that all business units are in compliance with national and international regulatory requirements.

Tracks laws and regulations that might affect the organization's policies. Prepares compliance reports to present to management. Requires a bachelor's degree in a related area and at least 7 years of experience in the field. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures.

Financial Analyst

A financial analyst is a person who performs financial analysis for external or internal clients as a core part of the job. Financial analysts use spreadsheet and statistical software packages to analyse financial data, spot trends, and develop forecasts.

On the basis of their results, they write reports and make presentations, usually making recommendations to buy or sell a particular investment or security or look at where businesses can make cost savings.

Although there are no formal qualification criteria, analysts usually have graduate level training in finance such as MBA degrees or are qualified accountants.

Treasurer

Optimises working capital and forecasts daily cash. Develops and maintains working relationships with banks. Reduces bank charges, and ensures that foreign exchange and interest rate risk is managed efficiently and appropriately by employing proper treasury products. Prepares annual, monthly, weekly and daily cash forecasting.

Tax Manager

Establishes and executes campaigns to reduce an organisation's tax debt. Adheres to all national, state, local and international tax laws. Manages the retention and preparation of tax records, tax returns and other required reports.
Assesses the impact of an organisation's tax liability. Oversees tax accounting staff. This is the top tax position within an organisation. Typically, a degree and five to seven years of experience are required.

Finance Director (CFO)

Manages the overall financial plans and accounting practices of an organisation. Oversees treasury, accounting, budget, tax and audit activities for an organisation and its subsidiaries. Supervises financial and accounting system controls and standards. Ensures timely financial and statistical reports for management and/or Board use. Typically, a finance qualification and 10 years of experience are required. The CFO typically reports to the chief executive officer and to the board of directors, and may additionally sit on the board.

Finance Manager

Candidates usually have at least 5 years of experience, including previous management responsibility. They will have responsibility for supervising and handling financial reports, accounting and all kinds of financial analysis. Additionally they will oversee cash management and financial legislation and regulation. They will also manage cash flow for an organisation by supervising the balance sheets and income statements. They also should have comprehensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles. Candidates would normally be fully qualified with an Accounting qualification.

Audit Manager

The audit manager plays a key role in ensuring that risk management and auditing processes are carried out successfully. This role requires the employee to be well-acquainted with tax, profit and loss, balance sheets and group audit standards. Managers are also required to keep up to date with any changes in accounting rules and regulations

Source: Job descriptions for Finance and Accounting positions as listed in the Robert Half Salary Guide UAE 2012

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