School Accountant - Finance Reporting

Context

The School Accountant - Finance Reporting will support the finance function of an Aldar Education school by maintaining accurate accounting records, preparing financial statements, coordinating ADEK submissions, monitoring budgets, reconciling accounts, and helping leadership make informed financial decisions. The position plays an important role in ensuring compliance, audit readiness, timely month-end closing, and reliable financial information for school leadership, HQ finance teams, and regulatory reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities

* Maintain accurate general ledger records and ensure correct GL code allocation for all accounting and financial transactions.
* Process supplier payments on time, supported by proper vendor reconciliations and complete payment documentation.
* Prepare accounts payable vouchers after checking vendor invoices against purchase orders, delivery notes, approvals, and supporting records.
* Post monthly journal entries in the ERP system after required review and approval from the finance leadership team.
* Reconcile monthly payroll against costing sheets and prepare summary reports with supporting documents for ADEK submission.
* Maintain year-to-date records of staff cost-to-company details and end-of-service benefits in the required ADEK format.
* Monitor budgets against procurement and education team requirements, ensuring purchase orders remain aligned with approved spending plans.
* Complete monthly bank reconciliations and maintain logs of unreconciled items for follow-up, review, and timely resolution.
* Track ADEK financial reporting requirements using the monthly checklist and ensure all school submissions are accurate and complete.
* Coordinate month-end closing activities, including journal preparation, reporting schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
* Prepare and submit monthly reports and schedules to ADEK within required timelines, ensuring documents are uploaded correctly to the ADEK SharePoint platform.
* Support internal audits, external audits, and year-end audit requirements by preparing schedules, responding to queries, and coordinating with the finance team.
* Assist the Senior Manager and Assistant Manager - Finance in meeting all school financial reporting deadlines.
* Conduct monthly MIS review meetings with the Principal and Operations Manager, providing practical insights and recommendations where needed.
* Maintain an updated vendor contract register, tracking issue dates, expiry dates, renewals, and related documentation.
* Ensure strong compliance with ADEK month-end and year-end finance closing checklists and help prevent reconciliation rejections.
* Coordinate with school and HQ teams to support timely closure of open purchase orders.
* Provide backup finance support during team absences to maintain continuity of accounting and reporting activities.
* Prepare monthly financial statements in line with applicable financial reporting standards.
* Develop and maintain GL schedules, balance sheet schedules, and financial reports to verify accuracy and completeness of accounting data.
* Perform monthly reconciliations of general ledger accounts and balance sheet items, taking corrective action for identified discrepancies.
* Support budgeting and forecasting activities by preparing reports, templates, analysis, and budget upload records.
* Maintain accurate records of funding received from ADEK and analyze surpluses, deficits, and budget movements.
* Respond promptly to ADEK finance queries to support compliance and avoid regulatory issues.
* Prepare budget movement forms to address deficits in specific budget heads and support proper budget reallocation.
* Maintain detailed records of educational allowances, housing allowances, petty cash, and credit card expenditures.
* Ensure petty cash and credit card reimbursements comply with Aldar finance policies and are supported by complete documentation.
* Identify practical process improvements each year and work with finance leadership to implement better controls and reporting efficiency.

Ideal Profile

* Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related discipline.
* Minimum 5 years of experience in a finance or accounting function.
* Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, reconciliations, accounts payable, and month-end closing.
* Experience preparing financial statements, GL schedules, audit schedules, and supporting documentation.
* Familiarity with school finance, ADEK reporting, education sector accounting, or regulated financial submissions is highly valuable.
* Confident user of accounting software, ERP systems, spreadsheets, and financial reporting tools.
* Strong understanding of vendor payments, purchase orders, payroll reconciliation, budget monitoring, and audit requirements.
* Ability to manage deadlines across monthly closing, ADEK submissions, audits, payroll support, and reporting cycles.
* High attention to detail when checking invoices, journal entries, reconciliations, contracts, allowances, and financial records.
* Strong communication and presentation skills for working with finance teams, school leadership, auditors, vendors, and regulatory contacts.
* Organized and professional approach to administration, document control, compliance tracking, and financial record keeping.
* Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with school-based and HQ finance teams.
* Positive, reliable, and solution-focused attitude with a commitment to accuracy, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.

Skills Set

* School accounting
* Accounting-Finance
* Financial reporting
* General ledger management
* Accounts payable
* Supplier payments
* Vendor reconciliation
* Payroll reconciliation
* Journal entries
* ERP systems
* Bank reconciliation
* Month-end closing
* Year-end closing
* ADEK financial reporting
* ADEK compliance
* VAT record support
* Budget monitoring
* Budget forecasting
* Budget movement forms
* Financial statements
* GL schedules
* Balance sheet reconciliation
* Audit schedules
* Internal audit support
* External audit support
* MIS reporting
* Purchase order tracking
* Vendor contract register
* Petty cash control
* Credit card expense review
* Education allowance tracking
* Housing allowance tracking
* Accounting software
* Microsoft Excel
* Financial data accuracy

Benefits

This School Accountant - Finance Reporting role offers a strong opportunity to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s Education Management sector while supporting accurate and compliant finance operations in a leading school environment. Aldar Education offers an attractive remuneration package that may include medical and life insurance, flights, and education benefits in line with policy. The role also provides access to a wide professional network, development opportunities, and the chance to strengthen finance systems within a respected education group.

About the Company

Aldar Education is a leading education group in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, operating a growing network of owned, operated, and managed schools across the UAE. The organization supports high-quality learning through strong governance, inclusive school communities, professional development, and future-focused education. With a commitment to safeguarding, national development, operational excellence, and staff growth, Aldar Education offers meaningful career opportunities for finance professionals who want to support the success of schools and students.