Not just a fantasy in 2026—Gulf countries genuinely have a high demand for skilled accountants.
Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait are recruiting in the construction, oil & gas, trading, and healthcare sectors, and hiring is expected to rise sharply from the end of 2025. Whether you are a fresher, junior accountant, or an experienced professional, the following top interview questions and answers will help you prepare.
A general accountant’s primary responsibilities include recording daily financial transactions, preparing financial statements, reconciling accounts, and supporting audits and compliance. In the Gulf region, companies prefer candidates familiar with ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, and Tally. One of the most frequently asked questions in interviews is the difference between Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable. Accounts Payable is money owed to suppliers, while Accounts Receivable is money expected from customers. Candidates who manage vendor payments and customer follow-ups effectively are given priority because cash flow is critical in Gulf companies.
Accountants should also know the major financial statements: balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. These reports help management make business decisions quickly, especially in construction and trading companies. Accuracy is another key skill Gulf HR managers look for—regular reconciliation, checking entries, reviewing documents, and maintaining internal controls are essential.
Double-entry accounting is another common interview topic. For every debit, there must be an equal credit. For example, purchasing office supplies means “Office Supplies” is debited and “Cash” is credited. You may also be asked about cash vs. accrual accounting. Cash accounting records payments only when money moves, while accrual accounting records income and expenses when they occur. Most Gulf companies use the accrual method to understand real financial performance.
Month-end closing is an important responsibility: reconciling accounts, adjusting entries, reviewing financial data, and preparing management reports. Fast and accurate month-end performers are preferred. Depreciation is also a common interview point—it means reducing the value of a fixed asset over its useful life, which is very important in the construction and oil industries.
In 2026, the most in-demand accountant skills are ERP software (SAP, Oracle, Tally), Excel, Power BI, VAT and tax knowledge, communication skills, and financial reporting. The top hiring sectors will be construction, oil & gas, healthcare, and trading. Popular job roles include senior accountant, cost accountant, AP/AR executive, payroll accountant, and financial analyst. Candidates can search for trusted openings on Bayt.com, NaukriGulf, and LinkedIn.
