Banking, Finance and Accounting Jobs in Oman: Career Guide

Banking, finance and accounting offer some of the most stable and best-structured careers in Oman, with roles in commercial and Islamic banks, insurance, investment firms, audit practices and the finance teams of almost every company. Banking is one of the most Omanised sectors, so most bank jobs go to Omani nationals, while accounting, audit and specialist finance roles remain open to qualified professionals of any nationality — but since September 2025 many of them require a sector certificate to obtain a work permit.

The size of Oman's financial sector

The sector is growing. According to the Central Bank of Oman's annual report for 2025, as reported by the Oman Observer, total banking assets reached RO 48.7 billion, up 9.2%. Total bank credit rose 8.8% to RO 35.3 billion and customer deposits grew 7% to RO 34 billion. Islamic banking has become a major pillar, with assets of about RO 9.5 billion, or roughly 19.5% of the sector.

Beyond banks, the market includes insurance and takaful companies, finance and leasing firms, exchange houses, brokerage and asset-management firms around the Muscat Stock Exchange, the regulators themselves and large corporate finance departments in energy, telecoms, logistics and retail.

Main career paths

• Retail and corporate banking: branch staff, relationship managers, credit analysts, trade finance and SME banking.
• Islamic banking: product development, Sharia compliance and Islamic finance operations.
• Risk, compliance and AML: credit risk, operational risk, anti-money-laundering and regulatory reporting — areas that have grown with regulation.
• Treasury and investment: treasury dealers, portfolio and fund management, investment banking.
• Accounting and audit: accountants, cost accountants, internal and external auditors, financial controllers and CFOs.
• Tax: Oman introduced VAT in 2021, creating steady demand for tax accountants and advisers.
• Digital finance: payments, digital banking and data roles as banks invest in technology.

Omanisation in banking and finance

Banks in Oman work under Omanisation targets set by the regulator, and the sector has long been one of the most nationalised in the private economy. Central Bank data reported by the Oman Observer in 2018 already showed Omanisation in banks at 93.5%, against a required 90%, with finance and leasing companies at 82.3% against a required 80%. In practice, this means:

• Omani graduates have strong opportunities, including structured graduate programmes such as National Bank of Oman's "Tomorrow's Leaders" and Ahlibank's two-year "Himam" programme.
• Expatriate hiring in banks is usually limited to senior, specialist or hard-to-fill technical roles.
• Accounting, audit and corporate finance jobs in other sectors offer more openings for non-Omanis.

The new sector certificate for finance roles

From 1 September 2025, the Ministry of Labour made a certificate from the Sector Skills Unit for Accounting, Finance and Auditing a condition for issuing or renewing work permits in listed occupations. The unit works with the Omani Association of Certified Public Accountants. According to the Oman Observer, the requirement applies to Omanis and expatriates, both current employees and new hires.

Examples of covered roles
Accounts technician, cost accountant, accounts manager
Internal auditor, external auditor and their assistants and managers
Credit analyst, financial analyst, tax manager
Financial controller, chief financial officer, chief audit executive, external audit partner

If you work in, or are applying for, one of these titles, ask your employer about the certificate early, because permits are not issued or renewed without it. Check the latest list and procedure with the Ministry of Labour.

Who hires: banks, regulators and beyond

Finance careers in Oman are spread across several types of employer, each with a different hiring pattern:

• Local commercial and Islamic banks recruit mostly Omani graduates and experienced Omani bankers, with occasional specialist roles in risk, treasury, technology and senior management.
• Regulators and market institutions such as the Central Bank of Oman, the Financial Services Authority and the Muscat Stock Exchange hire economists, supervisors, analysts and legal and compliance staff.
• Audit and advisory firms take on trainee auditors each year and hire qualified accountants for audit, tax and advisory work, and are often the best first step for accountants.
• Insurance and takaful companies need underwriters, actuarial support, claims and finance staff.
• Corporate finance teams in energy, telecoms, construction, logistics and retail employ accountants, controllers and analysts across Muscat, Sohar, Salalah and Duqm.

Moving from audit to a corporate finance role after a few years is a common and well-paid path in Oman.

Qualifications that help

A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics or business is the usual starting point. Internationally recognised professional qualifications strengthen your profile considerably:

• ACCA, CPA or CA for accounting, audit and reporting.
• CMA for management accounting and cost control.
• CIA for internal audit.
• CFA for investment, treasury and asset management.
• Islamic finance qualifications for Islamic banking and takaful.
• AML and compliance certifications for compliance roles.

Strong Excel skills, experience with ERP systems and knowledge of IFRS and Omani VAT are valued in almost every finance job. Arabic is an advantage, particularly in customer-facing banking roles.

How to find and apply for finance jobs

1. Browse banking and finance jobs and accounting jobs, and set up a free job alert for titles such as accountant, auditor or credit analyst.
2. Follow banks' and audit firms' career pages for graduate intakes.
3. Tailor your CV to the role: list systems, standards (IFRS, VAT) and measurable results such as closing time reduced or audits completed.
4. Prepare your certificates and experience letters for verification and accreditation.
5. Check that the job title is open to your nationality before applying.

Salaries vary widely by employer, role and qualification, so compare offers on total package — basic salary, allowances, bonus and benefits — rather than headline pay.

Key takeaways

• Oman's banking sector is growing, with Islamic banking now about a fifth of assets.
• Banks are highly Omanised; expats find more openings in accounting, audit and corporate finance.
• Since 1 September 2025, listed accounting, finance and audit roles need a sector certificate for work permits.
• Professional qualifications such as ACCA, CMA, CIA and CFA give you a clear edge.
• Use job alerts to catch new finance vacancies early.