Financial Controller

Sharjah Education Academy

Education & Professional Qualifications:

• • Bachelor s degree in accounting.
  • Professional accounting qualification such as CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent is required.
  • Continuous professional development in finance, compliance, or education-sector regulations is an advantage.

Experience:

• • Minimum 7 10 years of progressive experience in accounting, with at least 3 5 years in a senior or supervisor level.
  • Strong experience in budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, and financial controls.
  • Demonstrated experience working with auditors, regulatory bodies, governments and senior leadership.

Technical & Professional Skills:

• • Strong knowledge of financial management, accounting standards (IFRS or relevant local standards), and internal controls.
  • Experience with education-sector funding models, tuition fee structures, grants, and subsidies (where applicable).
  • Proficiency in ERP systems, accounting software, and MS Office.
  • Ability to prepare management accounts, statutory financial statements, and consolidated reports.
  • Strong understanding of cash flow management, payroll oversight, and procurement controls.

Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge:

• • Knowledge of education authority regulations, financial reporting requirements, and governance standards.
  • Experience ensuring compliance with internal policies, external regulations, and audit recommendations.
  • Ability to support risk management and financial policy development.

Leadership & Communication:

• • Proven ability to lead and develop finance teams.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders (e.g., academic leaders).
  • Ability to work collaboratively with management, academic, administrative, and operational teams.

Personal Attributes:

• • High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a structured academic environment.
  • Strategic mindset with a hands-on approach.

Additional Requirements:

• • Experience working in a multi-campus or group structure is an advantage.
  • Familiarity with student information systems and fee management processes is desirable.
  • Fluency in Arabic and English is required.