Assistant Manager – Finance – Aldar Education

Aldar Education is currently seeking an Assistant Manager – Finance to support our growing family of owned, managed and operated schools in the UAE. This role is based in Aldar Education HQ.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar Education family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

As the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, we provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities. We offer a range of brands for all learners in our community, from nursery through to adult education.  We offer the broadest choice of curricula. In the largest number of locations in Abu Dhabi.

Starting with one school and 250 students in 2007, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, now supporting over 38,000 students in 31 schools and a growing network of almost 5,000 educators, with over 100 nationalities, offering a wide range of curricula and ancillary services such as a Teacher Training Academy.

Working collaboratively, our education network’s purpose is to empower the next generation to shape our future, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi’s government. Today, Aldar Education’s efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium education.

The successful candidates will be closely aligned with our core values and ethos and possess a genuine understanding and appreciation of the values of the region.

The position is responsible for the Accounting and Reporting of Project Costs against Budgets, primarily for Greenfield and Brownfield projects within the Operated Schools portfolio, the role will also support AFM-Schools with Accounting support, Consolidated MIS, review monthly closing and  Balance Sheet schedules reviews for AA Cluster entity.

Main Duties   

• Manage Project Accounting & support School Accounting activities for Operated school Cluster Finance Team and Schools as required

Specific Duties

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Manage projects’ costing, forecasting & reporting for Greenfield & Brownfield projects within Operated schools’ portfolio.
• Ensure timely projects’ payments to suppliers with proper reconciliation.
• Supervise month end closing activities for Aldar operated schools.
• Prepare consolidated MIS for Aldar operated schools In conjunction with FP&A Team
• Standardise processes, templates and reports across all Aldar operated schools, including newly acquired

Functional Responsibilities:

• Review and approve PRs related to projects.
• Prepare project cost tracker with budget & actuals.
• Handling Project payments accurately and timely manner with proper vendor reconciliation
• Review of Statutory Financial statements prepared by School.
• Prepare the consolidated Operated school report after monthly closing to review with SFM
• Prepare the Operated school MIS and provide Budget vs actual variances & review with SFM
• Drive monthly closing activities for Operated school cluster by providing support & guidelines.
• Review the AA cluster entity closing & ensure it is closed on a timely manner
• Review the Balance schedules of AA cluster entity and come up with the action plan to clear if any unreconciled balances.
• Consolidate the GRP reports received from schools and submit to Group Finance
• Act as a SME and manage various audit requirements including Internal/external/ICFR etc.
• Prepare SSC allocation working based on the Operating model
• Review & approve the PRs for Aldar Academies and ensure proper budget control and cost is properly classified as Capex/Opex.
• Review Open purchase orders, open GRN and open liabilities on periodical manner.
• Identify potential process gaps, suggest improvements and implement the best-in-class processes
• Provide training to School AFM’s and act as a backup in absence of any school AFM

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Minimum Experience:

• 10+ Years’ experience in finance function or Professional qualification with 5+ Years’ Experience in similar

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills:

• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure
• Advanced excel skills with proven financial modelling experience
• Ability to liaise effectively business functions in order to collect input required for analysis
• Ability to manage a team
• Ability to be detail focused when required whilst maintaining sight of the big picture
• Deadline oriented and take ownership of work
• Excellent analytical capabilities and hands on experience in MS Office presentations
• Organizational ability, of self and others.
• Forethought and forward planning
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.