The GCC has one of the most robust accounting and finance sectors in the world, and especially within the Middle East. It has grown considerably over the last forty years as more and more accounting and financial institutions have been created and developed specifically to meet the unique needs of the GCC member states. Although there are numerous institutions serving the area whose origins are in other parts of the world, today’s accounting and finance sector in the GCC is dominated by institutions with local and regional origins.
The accounting and finance sector of the GCC involves all aspects of the overall finance system and accounting. The institutions working in the accounting and finance sector cover a full range of products and services. Some are very large multi-national entities offering services across all markets while others are small to mid-sized entities offering more specialized services across portions of markets. The most commonly offered services found in the accounting and finance sector include raising capital, international trade, audits, accounting compliance, treasury operations, and general accounting.
Accounting and finance professionals work across all types and sizes of financial and accounting institutions, serving a huge variety of clients and customers. Most businesses, public entities, governments, and international corporations require accounting and financial services ranging from basic to quite complicated and extensive. To meet this wide ranging set of needs, a wide variety of accounting and financial institutions have been founded and grown to offer a wide ranging set of services. Additionally, an entire industry focused on analysis and oversight of the accounting and finance sector is in place, offering another large pool of potential careers for those interested in working as accounting and finance professionals.
The functional areas for accounting and finance professionals include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Finance managers
- Auditors
- Audit managers
- Accountants (General, Specialized, Senior)
- Chief Financial Officers
- Commercial finance managers
- Project accountants
- Financial analysts
Top employers in the finance sector across the GCC include:
- Deloitte
- KPMG
- Gulf Finance House
- BDO Patel & Al Saleh
- Aabar Investments PJSC
- Gulf Finance Corporation
- Deutsche Gulf Finance
Skills most in demand
Within the common functional areas associated with the Accounting and Finance sector, there are a number of skills that are particularly in demand. Examples include Accountants, Auditors, Financial Controllers, Chief Financial Officers, Treasury, and Finance Managers. If you possess these or very similar skills then you are likely in a good position to find a wide range of jobs available for you to pursue.