About the Role
Guildhall is running the search for a growing trading company that imports goods internationally and sells to business clients in overseas markets. The business is scaling its operations and is now bringing finance and administration fully in-house for the first time. This person will own day-to-day accounts, payroll, and the entire UAE compliance calendar — licence renewals, VAT, corporate tax — as a standalone position. It's a rare seat: one person holding both finance and regulatory administration for a growing operation.
The role
- Own day-to-day AR/AP, reconciliations and the monthly close.
- Run monthly UAE WPS payroll, including overtime, leave and gratuity.
- Maintain the renewal calendar for licences, permits and employee visas.
- Manage VAT and UAE Corporate Tax filings and audit-ready records.
- Prepare monthly P&L, cash position and AR/AP reports for management.
- Track recurring company expenses and subscription renewal dates.
What you'll bring
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field.
- 5–8 years' finance and administration experience, minimum 3 in the UAE.
- Hands-on experience with AR/AP, payroll and bank reconciliation.
- Practical experience processing UAE WPS payroll end-to-end.
- Working knowledge of UAE Labour Law, VAT, Corporate Tax and visa procedures.
- Experience handling employee leave, attendance, gratuity and final settlements.
- Zoho Books experience preferred.
- Proven ability to run finance and admin independently, without a team.
What's on offer
- A standalone role owning finance and administration from day one.
- Direct involvement as the company brings compliance and licensing in-house.
- Scope to build in-house administration processes as the business grows.
- Based in a modern office in Business Bay as the company grows.
Why apply through Guildhall
- Boutique executive search firm in Dubai, established 2010.
- 8x independent industry awards since 2020.
- 4.9-star Google rating from 250+ reviews.
- Direct access to the retained consultant running this search.
Hiring a Finance and Administration Manager in Dubai
A Finance and Administration Manager in Dubai typically holds a standalone finance seat, covering AR/AP, payroll and monthly close without a wider finance team. As smaller and mid-sized trading businesses grow, many move licence renewals, VAT and corporate tax filings in-house rather than outsourcing them, which is when this role gets created. It suits someone who can manage UAE WPS payroll, a compliance calendar, and day-to-day accounts at the same time, working independently rather than within a structured hierarchy.
Common questions
What does a Finance and Administration Manager do in Dubai?
The role typically covers day-to-day accounts receivable and payable, monthly reconciliations and close, and UAE WPS payroll processing. It often also includes managing the company's licence renewal calendar, VAT and corporate tax filings, and employee administration such as leave and gratuity.
What experience do I need to apply?
Most employers look for 5–8 years of finance and administration experience, with at least 3 years working in the UAE. Hands-on knowledge of UAE WPS payroll, Labour Law, VAT and Corporate Tax is expected, and experience working independently in a standalone finance role is highly valued.
How do I apply?
Apply directly on this page. A Guildhall consultant reviews every application personally and will contact suitable candidates on a confidential basis.
Salary Guide — Similar Jobs
This is not the salary for this job. It is a general guide showing what people in similar jobs usually earn, based on 2,142 real salaries shared with Guildhall. The salary for this job may be different.
Similar Roles at Guildhall
For Employers
Hiring for a role like this?
Guildhall places pre-vetted candidates for positions like this one across the UAE and GCC — most shortlists are delivered within days.
The Agency Behind This Role
This search is managed by Guildhall — an 8× award-winning executive search and recruitment agency, rated 4.9★ across 250+ Google reviews, recruiting in Dubai and across the GCC.