Released on November 5, this guide outlines annual salary ranges across various sectors and provides essential tips for jobseekers. Here is a breakdown of the report’s major findings.

Important note: The salary ranges stated are per year.

• Financial planning and analysis manager
$98,000 (Dh359, 957.92) – $138,000 (Dh506,879.52)
• Financial planning and analysis director
$165,000 (Dh606051.60) – $229,750 (Dh843,880.94)
• Tax manager
$96,000 (Dh352,611.84) – $131,000 (Dh481168.24)
• Tax director
$196,000 (Dh719,915.84) – $298,000 (Dh1,094,565.92)

Since the introduction of corporate tax in June 2023, demand has surged for expertise in financial reporting and technical accounting. Key skills include:
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
• Bi-lingual (Arabic / English)
• Chartered (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Corporate tax experience

According to the guide, these are the certifications that are sought after the most by hiring managers:
• Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) / Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
• Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA)

According to the report, these industries increased their search for finance and accounting specialists:
• Manufacturing
• Retail
• Real estate/property/facilities
• Utilities/Renewable energy

• Product manager
$81,600 (Dh299,720.47) – $114,250 (Dh419,645.39)
• Project manager
$102,000 (Dh374,650.59) – $149,250 (Dh548,201.97)
• Software engineering manager
$92,000 (Dh337,920.14) – $169,000 (Dh620,744.60)
• Data analyst

Startups and AI-driven companies are particularly interested in User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) specialists to enhance user experiences. Other valued skills include:
• Computer programming languages like Python, Rust and Go
• Communication skills
• Stakeholder management
• Specific languages (Arabic/Russian)

Hiring managers are also looking out for job seekers who have the following certifications and degrees in the field:
• Cloud computing services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)/Salesforce
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISP)/Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Prince2/Scrum (project management frameworks)
• ISO27001 (international standard for information security management)

These are the industries that are increasing their search for IT and technology specialists:
• Financial services and private equity
• E-commerce and retail
• Manufacturing
• Energy

• Legal counsel (three to five years experience)
$85,000 (Dh312,208.82) – $125,000 (Dh459,130.62)
• Legal counsel (six to nine yearsexperience)
$150,000 (Dh550,956.75)- $192,000 (Dh705,224.64)
• Head of legal
$262,000 (Dh962,337.79) – $406,250 (Dh1,492,174.53)
• General counsel
$262,000 (Dh962,337.79) – $406,250 (Dh1,492,174.53)

As UAE-based companies prepare for IPOs, demand is high for legal professionals skilled in IPO readiness, mergers and acquisitions. Key qualifications include:
• Multi-lingual
• UK/US qualified
• Real estate or Islamic Finance experience
• Initial Public Offering (IPO) and Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) experience

If you want to become a promising candidate, here are some of the skills and degrees you will need:
• US and UK Qualified Solicitor
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Bachelor/Master of Laws Degrees

In the UAE, the following sectors are hiring legal specialists at a higher rate:
• Renewable energy
• Construction and engineering
• Asset management
• Manufacturing

• HR generalist
$31,250 (Dh114,782.66) – $66,250 (Dh243,339.23)
• Talent acquisition manager
$66,500 (Dh244,257.49) – $127,500 (Dh468,313.24)
• Head of HR
$175,000 (Dh642,782.88) – $316,000 (Dh116,0682.22)
• HR director
$228,750 (Dh840,209.04) – $349,500 (Dh1,283,729.23)

Organisations are especially looking for HR professionals with transformation experience and skills in new HR systems. Key skills include:

• Transformation experience
• Restructuring experience
• New HR systems (ex: Workday)
• Data analytics

The following certifications are in demand:
• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
• HR Management degrees
• Master of Laws (LLM) in Employment Law
• Psychology degrees

These are the sectors where the search for HR specialists will increase:
• Financial services
• Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG)/E-commerce
• Tech
• Renewable energy

• Compliance manager
$140,000 (Dh514,226.30) – $215,000 (Dh789,704.67)
• Money laundering compliance officer
$61,750 (Dh226,810.53) – $84,750 (Dh311,290.56)
• Quantitative traders
$220,000 (Dh808,069.90) – $330,000 (Dh121,2104.85)
• Risk analyst
$96,250 (Dh353,530.58) – $123,250 (Dh452,702.80)

Demand for compliance professionals remains high, particularly for those familiar with Dubai’s regulatory landscape. Key skills include:
• Chartered (ACAS, ACCA, FCCA, ACA)
• Stakeholder management
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cross-time zone management

Certifications most sought after by hiring managers:
• Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS)
• Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI)
• Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)/ Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Industries that increased their search for financial services specialists:
• Private equity
• Investment management/Asset management
• Government Funds
• Brokerage