Senior Finance Manager

Job Description

Job description

Senior Finance Manager

Location: Dubai, UAE

Role overview

Kings Education is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to join its central finance function. This position plays a key role in safeguarding the group's financial integrity, overseeing core accounting activities and ensuring strong control and compliance across multiple schools.

Working closely with School Principals, operational leaders and the Executive Board, the Senior Accounts Manager will provide clear financial insight and support informed decisionmaking across the organisation.

• Financial operations and reporting
• Take daytoday ownership of accounting operations, covering Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable (including tuition billing and collections), General Ledger and fixed assets.
• Maintain accurate books and records and ensure timely, reliable financial reporting in line with IFRS and internal policies.
• Period-end close
• Lead the monthly, quarterly and annual closing cycles, including preparation and review of journals, reconciliations, accruals and provisions.
• Produce highquality MIS and related schedules, with clear variance analysis and commentary for senior stakeholders.
• Team leadership
• Supervise and develop a small team of accountants, setting priorities, reviewing work and driving high standards of accuracy and control.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement within the team.
• Audit and regulatory compliance
• Coordinate with external and internal auditors, managing requests and ensuring audit deliverables are prepared on time and to a high standard.
• Oversee compliance with UAE VAT and Corporate Tax requirements, including accurate filings, proper documentation and alignment between IFRSbased accounts and tax submissions.
• Budgeting, forecasting and analysis
• Support the Finance Director/CFO in preparing annual budgets and periodic forecasts for schools and the wider group.
• Analyse revenue, enrolment and cost trends, highlighting risks, opportunities and practical recommendations to improve financial performance.
• Business partnering
• Work closely with School Principals and department heads to explain financial results, key drivers and the impact of operational decisions on profitability and cash flow.
• Present financial information and business cases in an accessible, solutions focused way to non-finance stakeholders, including the Executive Board.
• Systems, processes and controls
• Review and enhance internal financial controls and procedures across all core cycles (AP, AR, GL, fixed assets).
• Champion effective use of the ERP and related systems, improving process efficiency, data quality and reporting capability.

• Qualifications
• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, CPA, ACA or equivalent); partqualified applicants will not be considered.
• Degree in Accounting, Finance or a closely related field.
• Technical expertise
• Proficiency in Microsoft D365 ERP
• Expert / Advanced level knowledge in Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint
• Knowledge on all IFRS standards and its application in preparing and reviewing statutory and management financial statements.
• Solid experience managing endtoend monthend and yearend close for multientity or multisite organisations.
• Proven ability to design, embed and operate robust financial controls across key accounting cycles.
• Experience
• 8+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Background in the education sector (K12) or another multisite service business (e.g. healthcare, hospitality, retail, training) is a strong advantage.
• Systems and analytical skills
• Advanced Excel capability (including complex formulas, pivot tables, lookups and data analysis).
• Handson experience with a major ERP platform (such as Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, SAP or similar), ideally with involvement in process or control improvements.
• Communication and personal attributes
• Excellent written and spoken English, with the confidence and emotional intelligence to communicate effectively with Principals, senior educators and Board members.
• Proactive, organised and calm under pressure, with a strong eye for detail and a solutions driven approach.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity and discretion.

How to Apply

Application deadline: 15th May 2026

Please submit your application via LinkedIn.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We reserve the right to appoint a suitable candidate before the closing date. The successful applicant will take up their position immediately upon receipt of three satisfactory references and a valid police clearance certificate.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo a rigorous screening process that includes:

• Verification of qualifications and passport.
• Three satisfactory references, including current or most recent employer and a previous employer.
• A Police Certificate for the last ten years from all countries in which the applicant has resided.
• Prohibition Checks for applicants with a UK background. Any employment gaps will be addressed during interview.