TFS Gulf 
- Hi, I am Lewis Elsey, founder of Queenswood Recruitment, a Dubai-based firm focused entirely on finance and accounting.
- Over the last several years, the UAE and the wider Middle East job market has shifted drastically.
- Here are the trends I am observing.
Roles that are in demand in the UAE
I set up my recruitment firm in 2025.
It may have been only a few months, but one thing is clear: Highly skilled accountancy and finance professionals will always be required, even with all the AI hype.
Senior Level
At the top end, the demand for senior finance professionals like CFOs, is fiercely competitive.
Mid Level
At the mid-level, there’s less movement. But make no mistake, there are still opportunities.
FP&A: Finance teams are finally starting to understand the value FP&A roles bring. That said, whether they’re ready for someone of that nature is another story. There’s still a bit of a disconnect in understanding what these people actually contribute to the finance function.
Tax: Always hot. You’ll always need someone who can deal with auditors, bring control, and handle the technical side.
Finance Manager: Roles in the AED 25k to 50k band, finance managers, controllers, and similar mid-level positions, are where most of the hiring action is happening right now.
Head of Finance: A lot of strategic and forward-looking CFOs are being brought in to oversee finance teams that lack structure or high-level talent.
While the CFO focuses on strategy, the right-hand role is in massive demand. That’s where the Head of Finance or Financial Controller come in to take charge of the day-to-day responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the more transactional roles? They’re increasingly being outsourced to cheaper locations, especially at the junior level.
Unexpected rise of Fractional CFOs in UAE
I see a huge opportunity in the fractional CFO space.
Comparing it to the UK, you can see the interim and fractional CFO market there is mature. After all, it’s taken years to build that ecosystem.
But here in the UAE, there’s still a gap in understanding what a fractional CFO truly does.
Once the region develops a strong interim or contract market, it’ll be a game-changer, especially for senior finance professionals who want flexibility.
There’s already a lot of buzz around the idea, and with recent visa changes, it’s actually becoming achievable.
The Dubai Family Office buzz
We’ve all seen the headlines…Family offices, hedge funds, VCs, even PE firms and law outfits are flocking from London, New York, and Mumbai to Dubai.
Everyone wants to set up their base in Dubai, and who can blame them? The incentives make it hard to resist.
Some are setting up lean satellite offices, small teams, mostly symbolic.
Others are going all in, building proper operations, recruiting local finance talent, and embedding themselves in the ecosystem.
But here’s the real question: are they actually hiring?
Truth is, Family offices, by nature, aren’t massive. They keep their finance and accounting teams tight and efficient.
Local companies provide more opportunities
Honestly, they’re a goldmine for professionals.
The interesting bit? People are actually considering these roles more than ever.
Back in the day, everyone wanted a multinational, stable, prestigious, résumé-friendly. But in this region, that’s not always the case.
Some local businesses are super progressive, dynamic, and growing fast, with serious market control. So yes, keep them on your radar; they span across all industries.
Also read: How to Network Effectively in the UAE to secure Finance Jobs?
SMEs are not far behind
The UAE has crossed a million SMEs, and yes, we work with them!
However, these companies rarely have internal recruitment teams, so they often come to recruiters like us.
Most run lean operations and prefer to outsource hiring.
The key question: How big is their finance function really?
Some are tiny two-person setups that don’t need a full finance team, while others have established functions elsewhere, such as India or London, keeping the UAE office lean.
Local candidates have the upper hand
Now, here’s what’s interesting: earlier, people who lost roles might’ve just relocated or gone back home.
But with easier visa access, golden visas, business setups, and flexible work structures, many are choosing to stay back in the UAE.
So what happens next? You suddenly have a deep pool of skilled finance professionals already here, many available to start immediately.
From a client’s perspective, that’s gold.
But, if you’re applying from London or in India with a three-month notice period, by the time interviews are done, it could take four or five months before you join.
For most finance manager roles, companies are not going to wait that long. Not when there’s a pool of strong, ready-to-go talent already locally available.
The only exception? Professionals with super niche expertise that simply doesn’t exist locally. But even that’s rare nowadays.
The restructuring wave
Another trend I’m noticing is that global MNCs in the UAE are under real pressure to deliver profits…That’s when the restructuring begins.
So, even if the UAE arm of the business is performing well, decisions made at global headquarters can still trigger local layoffs.
Plus, low level finance roles are increasingly being moved to Egypt or India, where costs are lower.
The salary reality check
I’ll be honest…Senior finance salaries are a bit of a grey area.
You could be a Head of Finance earning AED 40,000 at your current company.
Try applying for a similar role; same scope, same responsibilities, and you might find the new company is offering just AED 20,000.
Sadly, that’s the market reality today.
Someone who’s been a Head of Finance for five-plus years might already be earning above what the market is currently willing to pay.
So, right now, exploring new roles, or switching companies often means accepting a pay cut.
That’s why many professionals in the UAE are deciding to stay put.
Locations matter
Pay now depends heavily on industry, location, and timing.
Dubai often offers a slightly lower pay package than Abu Dhabi.
Riyadh might offer more, though even Saudi packages aren’t what they used to be. A year ago, moving from the UAE to Saudi Arabia could mean a 20% salary uplift. Now? Not so much.
Also read: Indian Finance Professionals Moving to Dubai?
Should you move to the UAE without a job offer?
Dubai isn’t the easy-money paradise it once was. The salaries are solid, yes, but the costs have climbed.
And here’s the bitter truth: moving here without a job doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get one.
It really depends on your life stage and risk appetite.
If you’re in your late 20s or early 30s, with some savings and few commitments, take the leap back yourself.
Worst case? You gave it a real shot. But if you’ve got family responsibilities, school fees, rent, and you’re the sole earner, you’ve got to think twice.
Wrapping up…
When people ask me, “How long will it take to land a finance job in the UAE?” my answer is always the same: you could get lucky… but don’t bank on it.
Sometimes, the stars align; your profile matches perfectly, and within a few weeks, boom, you’ve got the offer.
Then, at the senior finance level, it can take anywhere between 3 to 9 months (or even longer).
But, with the right approach, daily focus, and consistent effort, you can make it in here.
FAQs
Q: What job portals should I use to find a job in the UAE?
What is the best way to search for finance jobs in Dubai from India?
In the UAE there are many job portals such as:
- Bayut
- Indeed
- Naukri Gulf
- BAC Middle East
- Dubizzle
- Michael Page
- Career jet
- Gulf Talent
- efinancial Career
- Hays
- ESP International
- Dubai Task
- UAE Advise
Some websites also provide a Premium option where they will share your CVs directly with companies if there is a vacancy.
Q: Is it hard to get a finance job in the UAE from India?
It’s tough, but not impossible.
The main challenge is that most UAE employers prefer candidates who are already in the country for face-to-face interviews and faster onboarding.
To succeed, you generally need:
1. Professional Certifications: Global qualifications like CFA, ACCA, or a strong CA background.
2. Physical Presence: The most effective strategy is to save enough money and go to the UAE on a 90 day tourist visa or job seeker visa to conduct an aggressive, in-person search.
Q: When is the best time to visit the UAE to find a job?
The best time to visit is between October and April when the weather is cooler. Job hunting may take 4 weeks to 6 months (9 months: worst case scenario), so plan accordingly.
The summer months (June to August), including the month of Ramadan, can be particularly hot and humid in the UAE. This makes job hunting more challenging.
