Mohamed Adel Farouk
Senior Accountant with 8 years of experience in UAE trading and distribution companies, covering month-end close, IFRS reporting, VAT returns and corporate tax readiness. Hands-on with SAP S/4HANA and Oracle NetSuite, with a track record of cutting closing time and cleaning up intercompany balances across group entities in the UAE and KSA.
- Reduced month-end close from 10 to 6 working days by standardising accrual templates and reconciliation checklists
- Prepared quarterly UAE VAT returns for 3 entities with zero penalties across all filings
- Led corporate tax readiness: mapped chart of accounts to tax adjustments and prepared transfer pricing documentation with external advisors
- Cleared AED 2.3M of aged intercompany differences between UAE and KSA entities within 5 months
- Coordinated year-end external audit for the group, delivering all PBC schedules on time
- Managed accounts payable and receivable for 400+ customers and suppliers
- Built an Excel cash flow forecast used weekly by the finance manager
- Cut overdue receivables by 18% through monthly ageing reviews with the sales team
- Supported migration of the general ledger to SAP, testing opening balances and mappings
- Degree attested for UAE use
IFRS reporting • Month-end close • UAE VAT returns • Corporate tax readiness • Bank reconciliations • Intercompany reconciliation • Fixed asset accounting • SAP S/4HANA • Oracle NetSuite • Advanced Excel (Power Query • Pivot tables) • Audit coordination • Cash flow forecasting
Arabic (Native) • English (Fluent)
Nationality: Egyptian • Visa Status: Employment visa (transferable) • Driving License: UAE driving license • Marital Status: Married
The accountant job market in UAE
Accounting jobs in the UAE are concentrated in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, plus free zones such as JAFZA and DMCC, which host many trading and distribution companies. Typical employers include trading and distribution firms, real estate and contracting groups, hotels and retail chains, accounting and audit practices, and family-owned groups running several entities.
The most sought-after experience right now is VAT and corporate tax, because companies need people who understand returns, tax adjustments and documentation. After that come solid IFRS knowledge, month-end close, and bank and intercompany reconciliations.
ERP and accounting systems such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Tally and Zoho Books are named directly in job ads, so list exactly what you have used. GCC experience or experience in the same sector (trading, contracting, hospitality) is a clear advantage, as is handling multiple currencies. Ads often say "immediate joiner" or "GCC experience preferred", so make your availability and location easy to find.
See also the UAE CV guide and the general accountant CV page.
Licensing and certifications
An in-house accountant usually does not need a specific licence to work, but a few things strongly affect your chances:
- Degree attestation: usually needed for the employment visa, typically starting in your home country and completed with the relevant UAE authorities. Check the current steps with the official authority.
- Professional qualifications: ACCA, CMA, CPA or CA are not mandatory but are often requested for senior roles. List only what you hold, or write "in progress" if you are still studying.
- Tax and audit roles: registered tax agents and statutory auditors have their own registration with the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Tax Authority and the Ministry of Economy. If the role requires this, verify the conditions on the official website.
Never list a qualification or registration you do not hold; it will be checked during onboarding.
Keywords from accountant job ads in UAE
Use only the terms that truly describe your experience. Have a specific job ad? Match your CV to it →
Experience bullet examples
Edit them with your real numbers and never claim results you did not achieve.
- Prepared and filed quarterly UAE VAT returns for 3 entities on the FTA portal with no penalties
- Mapped the chart of accounts for UAE corporate tax and prepared tax adjustment schedules with external advisors
- Reduced month-end close from 10 to 6 working days by standardising accruals and reconciliation checklists
- Reconciled intercompany balances across UAE and KSA entities, clearing long-standing differences
- Coordinated year-end audit with a Big Four firm, delivering all PBC schedules ahead of deadline
- Implemented SAP S/4HANA finance module, testing GL mapping and opening balances
- Managed AP/AR for a free zone trading company with multi-currency invoices (AED, USD, EUR)
- Built a weekly cash flow forecast in Excel used by the CFO for supplier payment planning
Tips for a accountant CV in UAE
1. Put VAT and tax in your summary
If you have prepared VAT returns or worked on corporate tax readiness, say so in the first two lines. It is one of the first things UAE recruiters look for.
2. Name your systems precisely
SAP S/4HANA is not the same as Tally, and ads are specific. Write the system and module you used so ATS filters pick it up.
3. Show scale with numbers
Number of entities you close, close duration in days, number of customers and suppliers. These show responsibility without mentioning pay.
4. Add visa and notice period
State your visa status and notice period in personal details. Many employers prefer candidates who can join quickly.
5. Give certifications their own section
List ACCA or CMA under Certifications with the year. If you are still studying, state honestly how many papers you have passed.
CV norms in UAE
| Photo | ◐ | Common and accepted, especially in hospitality, sales and aviation. Keep it professional. |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | ✓ | Usually included, as it affects visa and hiring procedures. |
| Usual length | ⓘ | One to two pages. Employers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi prefer short, focused CVs. |
| Language | ⓘ | Mostly English. Arabic is a strong plus in government and customer-facing roles. |
FAQ
Do I need ACCA or CMA to work as an accountant in the UAE?
Not for many roles, but they make a difference for senior positions such as Senior Accountant or Financial Controller. Practical experience with closing, tax and ERP systems matters most.
Should I include tax experience from another country?
Yes. Any experience with tax or VAT returns shows you understand the process. Just make clear which country it was in and let the employer judge.
Should I add nationality and visa status?
In the UAE this is normal and expected. Put them in a short personal details section; our builder has fields for both.
One page or two?
Two pages maximum if you have substantial experience, one page if you have under roughly five years.
Where do I start?
Open the <a href="/en/?country=uae&job=accountant#start">CV builder</a> with UAE settings, then run the <a href="/en/cv-checker/">CV checker</a> to see your ATS score.
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