Description

Assistant accountants aid in the day-to-day operations of an accounting department, typically reporting to a senior accountant or production accountant. Specific daily tasks vary based on whether or not an assistant accountant is hired by an individual accountant or an accounting firm.When hired by an individual accountant, job duties usually include basic office work such as filing documents, answering phones, and corresponding with clients. Assistant accountants will also assist with basic financial work such as bookkeeping. Assistant accountants who work in large corporations typically work in the accounts payable or payroll departments. They keep track of vendor invoices, including payments received or paid, and many times, they document employee time and pay – sick days, vacations, bonuses, or overtime.Assistant accountant is typically an entry-level position that may be performed by students who are currently in the process of obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of accounting. Assistant accountants should have prior bookkeeping experience and a certification, such as a bachelor’s degree, in accounting. Organization and attention to details are expected from assistant accountants, as they deal with very sensitive financial information.

Roles & Responsibilities

As an Assistant Accountant with 0-3 years of experience in the UAE, your main responsibilities include:

  • Assisting in the preparation of financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, to ensure accuracy and compliance.
  • Supporting accounts payable and accounts receivable functions by verifying and reconciling invoices, payments, and receipts.
  • Assisting in the management of petty cash, ensuring proper documentation and reconciliation.
  • Collaborating with senior accountants to analyze financial data, identify trends, and provide recommendations for improving financial performance and efficiency.

Qualifications & Work Experience

As the Assistant Accountant, they are accountable to assist in the financial operations, such as managing the accounts and reconciliation, creating financial reports and assisting the accounting process overall. They collaborate closely with the Finance Manager or Accountant Manager to ensure that there is a high level of accuracy as well as timely transactions in financials as well as documents. This job requires a keen focus on detail and proficiency with accounting software as well as Microsoft Excel, and excellent communications and organizational abilities. As an Assistant Accountant, you play an important part in supporting the finance team and in ensuring the smooth running of finance operations of the company.

Essential Skills For Assistant Accountant

1

Accounting Fundamentals

2

Financial Statements

3

Accounting

4

SAP

Skills That Affect Assistant Accountant Salaries

Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.

Financial Management

16%

Financial Accounting

39%

Accounting

2%

Career Prospects

For an Assistant Accountant job role with 0-3 years of experience in the AE, there are several alternative roles to consider. Here are four options:

  • Junior Accountant: A role that focuses on basic accounting tasks such as preparing financial statements, reconciling accounts, and assisting with audits.
  • Accounts Receivable Clerk: A position that involves tracking and managing incoming payments, processing invoices, and resolving customer payment issues.
  • Payroll Administrator: A role responsible for processing employee salaries, ensuring accurate tax withholding, and maintaining payroll records.
  • Financial Assistant: A position that supports financial operations by assisting with budgeting, financial analysis, and expense tracking.

How to Learn

The role of Assistant Accountant in the United Arab Emirates is projected to have strong growth in the market. According to a 10-year analysis, the demand for this position is on an upward trend. With the constant growth of businesses in the region, there will be a significant number of employment opportunities available for Assistant Accountants in the future. This demonstrates the importance of this role in the financial sector and its potential for career development. Google's latest data points support this positive outlook, indicating a promising future for Assistant Accountants in the United Arab Emirates.