Finance Officer - Aldar Education

at  Aldar Academies

Aldar Education are currently seeking Finance Officers to support our growing family of owned and operated schools based in HQ office, Abu Dhabi. 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.
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.To manage and achieve AE education/non-education recruitment objectives and meet the organization staffing needs.
This position is responsible for timely invoicing, receipting, reconciliation and follow up with parents to collect the school receivables. Responsible to reconcile school Acccounts Receivables, month end closing activities assigned by HQ Credit Control team.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• 2-3+ Years’ experience in similar role

JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral. Arabic is an added advantage.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure
• Ability to be detail focused when required whilst maintaining sight of the big picture
• Deadline oriented and take ownership of work
• Forethought and forward planning
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.Excellent analytical capabilities and hands on experience in MS Office presentations and other reporting tools.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate over 34,000 students across our group of owned and managed schools and as we grow so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school leaders. We offer an attractive remuneration package including medical cover, flights, housing, and free child school places. Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching and training.
Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.
Aldar Education is keen to hear from like-minded, forward thinking school leaders who would welcome the challenges and opportunities that we have to offer.
This job description is not all inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also mindful of our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application at our company.

MAIN DUTIES

• Billing, collection, liasing with customers to collect the receivables
• Ensure timely collection and reduction/avoid bad debt
• Respond to parents’ requirements and inquiries relating to fees payment.
• Manage the collection process including reminders and warning
• Follow up late payments and returned cheques.
• Provide student list with fee outstdaning with School and HQ Credit Control team for decision making and expedite the collection .

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Strategic Responsibilities

• Timely and accurate billing, collection and reduction of bad debt.

Functional Responsibilities

• Responsible for delivering a high quality customer service for the school
• Timely billing for all types of receivables (but not limited to) such as tuition fees, exam fees, ECA, trips, etc.
• Issue receipts on a daily basis with accurate information such as bank reference number, date, etc and ensure the reason is updated against all unidentified transactions and shared with respective school accountants for preparing bank reconciliation statement
• Ensure reminder and warning letters have been sent with guidance of HQ Credit Control team
• Preform sales validation and ensure the student number are accurately reconciled with admission team
• Improve collection and reduce bad debt below 0.25%
• Timely closing of AR module in line with closing calendar
• Accurate and Timely reporting for AR reports for decision making
• Reconcile Accounts Receivables between Education and ERP systems, identify the gaps and resolve them in co-ordination with IT team
• Ensure the enrolment processes are followed in compliance with policies and procedures
• Validate refund requests from school and initiate payments through AR module and handover the documents to School Accountant for payment
• Provide finance clearance for leavers and internal transfers after due diligence checks and validation
• Ensure month end activities are performed in a timely manner
• Support HQ Credit Control team team for adhoc matters as and when required
• Support internal and external audit queries, provide supporting documents and resolve all audit queries within the timeline
• Initiate process improvement wherever possible to achieve finance excellence
• Support digitalization of billing and collection projects where required
• Improve customer experience by responding to emails and calls in a professional manner
• Attend weekly AR review meetings with the team and provide insights for decision making
• Prepare suspension list with appropriate comments and share with school Principal
• Ensure to send finance fee follow up letters timely manner in compliance with ADEK regulation