Description

An accounts assistant plays a critical role in any accounting or business firm. They work as part of the team that is responsible for maintaining finances within the company; they typically report directly to the accountant or the finance manager. On a typical day, an accounts assistant's work includes balancing books to ensure that records and payments are correct and working with the sales team on current and future projects. There are many other tasks they might encounter such as handling and writing checks, sales order processing, preparing statutory accounts, and processing invoices. This job typically takes place during normal business hours, but there may be special cases in which the accounts assistant is needed to help the accountant or the financial manager to meet critical task on deadline.Accountant assistants generally work within an office and frequently use a computer. A typical accountant assistant's work space also will have many files and folders. Computers are usually equipped with accounting software and sensitive financial information about the company.The accounts assistant must have a good understanding of accounting principles, good organizational skills, and typically some sort of accounting certification.

Roles & Responsibilities

With 6-9 years of experience in Accounts Assistant role in the AE, your main responsibilities include:

  • Managing financial transactions and maintaining accurate records of accounts receivable and accounts payable, ensuring timely payments and collections.
  • Reconciling bank statements, preparing financial reports, and assisting in budgeting and forecasting activities.
  • Assisting with the preparation of tax returns, conducting tax research, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations.
  • Providing support in the preparation of financial statements, conducting variance analysis, and assisting in the month-end and year-end closing processes.

Qualifications & Work Experience

Accounts assistants play an essential role in any accounting firm or business. They are part of the team accountable for the management of finances for the business; they usually work directly with the accountant or the finance manager. In a typical day, the job of an accountant assistant is the balancing of books to ensure that the records and payment information is accurate and collaborating with sales personnel on upcoming and current projects. There are a variety of other duties they may encounter, such as managing and writing checks, processing sales orders, creating the statutory accounts and processing invoices. The job is usually performed during business hours however there could be some special instances where the accounts assistant will be required to assist the accountant or the financial manager in completing a crucial deadlines.

Essential Skills For Accounts Assistant

1

Analytical Skills-Finance

2

Problem Solving-Finance

3

Time Management-Finance

4

Accounts Receivable-Finance

5

Budgeting-Finance

6

Compliance-Finance

Career Prospects

The role of Accounts Assistant is crucial in maintaining efficient financial operations. For professionals with 6-9 years of experience in the AE, there are several alternative roles to consider. Here are four options:

  • Senior Accountant: A role that entails more extensive responsibilities such as financial reporting and regulatory compliance.
  • Treasury Manager: A position focused on managing cash and liquidity requirements, including forecasting, risk management, and investment activities.
  • Procurement Manager: Involves managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and overseeing purchasing processes.
  • Financial Analyst: A position focused on monitoring financial performance, developing forecasts, and providing insights to support strategic decision-making.

How to Learn

According to recent data from Google, the accounts assistant job role in the United Arab Emirates shows strong growth in the market. Over the past 10 years, this position has seen substantial expansion and is expected to continue growing in the future. With an increased focus on financial management and compliance, the demand for accounts assistants is projected to rise steadily. As a result, a significant number of employment opportunities are anticipated to become available in this field in the coming years, making it an attractive career prospect in the United Arab Emirates.