Chief Accountant

Role OverviewWe're looking for a Chief Accountant to own the accounting function across our operations in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt. This is a hands-on leadership role: you'll be accountable for accurate, timely consolidated financial reporting, strong internal controls, and full statutory and tax compliance across three distinct regulatory environments, while directly managing and developing an accounting team. You'll be the technical backbone of the finance function — closing the books, owning reconciliations, coordinating audits, and ensuring every entity meets local compliance requirements (ZATCA, GOSI, UAE Corporate Tax, Egyptian Tax Authority), while working closely with senior finance leadership to keep the numbers audit-ready and decision-useful. This role suits a technically strong accountant who has grown into people leadership and wants ownership of a multi-country function without stepping into a purely strategic, non-technical seat.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Close & ReportingOwn the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close process across all three entities, ensuring deadlines and accuracy standards are consistently metPrepare and review consolidated financial statements across KSA, UAE, and Egypt in line with IFRSPerform and review balance-sheet reconciliations, ensuring discrepancies are investigated and resolved within set timelinesOversee fixed asset accounting, including capitalization, depreciation schedules, and asset register accuracyAccounts Payable, Receivable & Cash ManagementProvide oversight and quality control over AP/AR functions managed by the team (not personal transaction entry)Monitor cash flow and working capital across entities; flag risks proactively to senior managementOversee intercompany transactions and ensure timely, accurate intercompany reconciliationsTax & Statutory ComplianceEnsure full compliance with Saudi Arabia's ZATCA requirements, including VAT filings and e-invoicing (Fatoora) obligationsEnsure compliance with UAE Corporate Tax and VAT filing requirementsEnsure compliance with Egyptian tax law, e-invoicing/e-receipt requirements, and statutory reporting obligationsCoordinate with payroll and HR on GOSI, WPS, and Egyptian social insurance accounting entries (oversight, not execution)Act as the primary point of contact for external auditors and tax authorities across all three marketsControls, Process & SystemsDesign, implement, and maintain internal controls and accounting policies across all entitiesOwn the accounting configuration and data integrity within our ERP system (currently Odoo), and identify opportunities for automation and process improvementSupport budgeting and forecasting processes with accurate historical data and variance analysis (ownership sits with Finance leadership; this role provides the accounting foundation)Team LeadershipDirectly manage, coach, and develop the accounting team across the three markets, including performance reviews and capability buildingSet clear standards for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance within the teamBuild succession and cross-training so no single country's close depends on one personCross-Functional CollaborationPartner with senior management to deliver clear, accurate management reporting and financial analysisWork closely with HR/Payroll, Legal, and Operations to ensure accounting entries reflect underlying business and compliance realitiesQualifications & ExperienceMust-Have RequirementsBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field10+ years total accounting experience, with 3+ years in a supervisory/managerial capacityProven ownership of month-end and year-end close for at least one full entityDirect hands-on experience with at least two of: KSA, UAE, Egypt accounting and tax environmentsSolid working knowledge of IFRSPractical VAT/tax compliance experience in the GCC and/or EgyptExperience with a mid-to-large ERP system ( Odoo is preferred)Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, reconciliation modeling, large dataset handling)Experience managing external audit relationships and audit fieldworkExperience preparing or reviewing consolidated financial statements across multiple entitiesFluent business English (written and spoken)Preferred QualificationsCMA, ACCA, CPA, or SOCPA certification (or actively pursuing)Experience in a SaaS, tech, or multinational shared-services environmentPrior experience managing a distributed/remote accounting team across countries