Finance Director Job Description UAE 2025 — Responsibilities, Qualifications and Salary
A Finance Director in UAE earns between AED 420,000 and AED 840,000 per year. The role leads the finance function, overseeing financial reporting, planning, treasury, and regulatory compliance. It requires a bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting, a CPA, ACA, ACCA, or CMA qualification, and 15 to 20 years of finance leadership experience.
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Salary: AED 420,000–840,000
Updated 2025
Finance Director Responsibilities
The table below lists the primary responsibilities of a Finance Director in UAE and Saudi Arabia as of 2025. Each responsibility is stated as a discrete, measurable activity.
| Responsibility | Frequency | Output / Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting cycles | Annual / quarterly | Board-approved budget and quarterly forecast delivered on time |
| Oversee preparation of IFRS-compliant financial statements | Monthly / annual | Financial statements issued within statutory deadlines |
| Manage treasury, cash flow, and banking relationships | Daily | Cash position report reviewed daily; facilities utilised efficiently |
| Ensure compliance with UAE VAT law (Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017) | Ongoing | VAT returns filed on time; FTA audit cleared with zero penalties |
| Lead finance team of 5 to 30 professionals | Daily | Team performance reviewed bi-annually |
| Present financial performance to board and audit committee | Quarterly | Board finance pack presented on schedule |
Finance Director Qualifications and Requirements
The following qualifications apply to a Finance Director role in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by sector and employer size.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business; master’s preferred |
| Qualifications | CPA, ACA (ICAEW), ACCA, or CMA required |
| Experience | 15 to 20 years in finance with minimum 5 years as Finance Director or CFO |
| UAE regulations | UAE VAT law (Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017) and UAE Commercial Companies Law compliance |
| IFRS | Full IFRS financial statement preparation and audit management experience |
| Communication | Board-level financial reporting, investor relations, and audit committee management |
All employment contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. A Finance Director employed in mainland UAE requires a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) approved contract. ADGM, DIFC, and free zone employees are subject to their respective authority’s employment regulations.
How RFS Recruits a Finance Director
- You brief RFS with the role specification, seniority level, and team structure. The briefing call takes 30 minutes.
- RFS searches its active candidate database and activates direct outreach within 24 hours of instruction.
- RFS delivers a shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened Finance Director candidates within 48 to 72 hours.
- You conduct interviews. RFS coordinates scheduling and candidate communication throughout.
- RFS supports offer negotiation and manages the candidate’s notice period and onboarding.
- The 6-month replacement guarantee activates from the candidate’s start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Finance Director earn in UAE?
A Finance Director in UAE earns between AED 420,000 and AED 840,000 per year. Banking and financial services Finance Directors earn AED 600,000 to AED 840,000. Real estate and retail sector Finance Directors earn AED 420,000 to AED 600,000.
What accounting qualification is most valued for Finance Directors in UAE?
ACA (ICAEW) and ACCA are the most widely specified qualifications for Finance Director roles in UAE, valued by Big Four-trained employers and financial services firms. CPA (AICPA) is valued in US-headquartered multinationals. CMA is specified for management accounting-focused FD roles in manufacturing and FMCG sectors.
How does RFS recruit Finance Directors?
RFS uses retained executive search for Finance Director mandates. A shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened candidates is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. The retained search fee is 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation.
What a Finance Director does in UAE
A Finance Director in UAE leads the full financial management function for a corporate, bank, or government-linked entity, overseeing IFRS reporting, treasury, budgeting, and UAE VAT compliance. You report to the CFO and manage a team of finance managers and accountants across UAE operations.
Key responsibilities
- Own IFRS-compliant financial statements for UAE mainland, DIFC, and consolidated group entities
- Manage the annual external audit process with Big 4 firms in UAE
- Lead annual budget and quarterly reforecast cycle across all UAE business units
- Manage banking relationships, credit facilities, and working capital for UAE operations
- Ensure UAE VAT compliance under Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 and FTA reporting
- Lead transfer pricing documentation for intercompany transactions with GCC and international entities
- Drive ERP implementation and finance process improvement
- Manage Emiratisation targets within the finance team under NAFIS obligations
- Present monthly financial performance and variance analysis to the CFO and Board
- Lead finance team hiring, development, and succession planning
Qualifications required
- ACA, ACCA, CPA, or CMA qualification required
- 10 to 15 years finance experience with at least 4 years as Finance Director in UAE or GCC
- Deep knowledge of IFRS, UAE VAT, and FTA filing requirements
- Experience managing reporting for UAE mainland and DIFC/ADGM entities
- SAP S/4HANA or Oracle Fusion proficiency
- Arabic language skills preferred for FTA and government authority interactions
- Big 4 audit background preferred for technical IFRS roles
- UAE listed company (DFM, ADX) reporting experience an advantage
Finance Director salary by employer type in UAE
| Employer type | Annual salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Government-linked entity or UAE SOE | 480,000–800,000 |
| Multinational corporation UAE or GCC HQ | 420,000–720,000 |
| UAE-listed company (DFM or ADX) | 450,000–780,000 |
| Large private group or family business | 360,000–640,000 |
Contract terms for this role in UAE
Finance Director roles carry 60 to 90 day notice periods in UAE. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 applies to your end-of-service gratuity at 21 days basic salary per year for the first five years.
Hire a Finance Director in UAE or Saudi Arabia
RFS delivers a shortlist of pre-screened Finance Director candidates in 48 to 72 hours. Retained search fee: 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation. 6-month replacement guarantee on all placements.
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Emiratisation recruitment agency UAE
UAE salary guide 2025
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Finance Director Salary by Emirate — UAE 2025
| Emirate | Salary Range (AED/month) | vs Dubai | Key Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | AED 25,000 – 45,000 | Base | MNCs, DIFC banks, large corporates |
| Abu Dhabi | AED 27,000 – 48,000 | +5–8% | Government-linked entities, ADGM firms, oil sector |
| Sharjah | AED 22,000 – 40,000 | -10–15% | Regional groups, manufacturing firms |
Source: Michael Page UAE Salary Guide 2026, Indeed UAE 2025. All figures tax-free.
Sector note: Finance Directors with IFRS expertise and UAE VAT/Corporate Tax experience are in highest demand. DIFC roles require DFSA awareness.
UAE Market Data — Finance Director 2025
Salary Range (AED/month)
AED 25,000 – 45,000
Tax-free. Source: Michael Page UAE 2026, Indeed UAE 2025
Seniority Level
Director
Required Certifications (UAE Market)
CPA / ACCA / CFA preferred. MBA highly valued for MNC roles.
UAE-Specific Regulatory Skills
CBUAE regulatory reporting, IFRS compliance, UAE VAT filing (FTA), UAE transfer pricing rules, Emiratisation reporting for finance departments.
Hire This Role with RFS HR Consultancy
RFS HR Consultancy places finance director professionals across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE and GCC. View our finance and banking recruitment agency Dubai or check the finance salary guide UAE 2025.
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