Chief Accountant
Confidential Careers · Dammam, Eastern, Saudi Arabia
Apply & track with Apply EdgeWe are seeking a Chief Accountant to lead our accounting function and ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all financial records. This is a hands-on accounting leadership role with responsibility for financial accounting, job costing, payroll accounting, payables and receivables, intercompany transactions, tax and Zakat compliance, and monthly management reporting.Because the company operates a shared multi-trade workforce across projects and maintenance, the role requires strong control over labour, material, and overtime allocation to individual jobs. The Chief Accountant reports to the General Manager, with a functional reporting line to Group Finance to ensure independent review of the company's financial controls. The role also supervises the Accounting Assistant.Key AccountabilitiesFinancial Accounting & Closing Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts in line with IFRS as endorsed in the Kingdom. Complete the monthly close within the agreed timeline, including accruals, provisions, and prepayments. Perform monthly bank, sub-ledger, and intercompany reconciliations and resolve reconciling items promptly. Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for the General Manager and Group Finance.Job Costing & Cost Control Operate a job costing system that captures labour, materials, overtime, and subcontract costs against each project and maintenance work order. Allocate shared trade pool labour to jobs using dispatch and timesheet records and reconcile allocated hours to payroll. Record material issues from stores against jobs and reconcile to inventory movements. Report job-level cost and recovery performance and prepare recharges to group entities where applicable. JD Chief Accountant.Payroll, GOSI & Employee Costs Review and approve monthly payroll before release and ensure full compliance with the Wage Protection System. Verify overtime calculations, deductions, and allowances against approved policies and records. Maintain accurate provisions for end-of-service benefits, leave, and ticket entitlements. Reconcile GOSI contributions and ensure registered wages match payroll records.Payables, Receivables & Intercompany Ensure all supplier payments are supported by a matched purchase order, goods receipt, and invoice and approved within delegated authority. Manage receivables and intercompany balances with group entities, issue statements, and follow up on aged items. Maintain supplier master data controls and prevent duplicate or unauthorised payments.Tax, Zakat & Regulatory Compliance Prepare and file VAT returns and ensure e-invoicing compliance. Calculate and account for withholding tax on payments to non-resident service providers. Prepare Zakat computations and supporting schedules and coordinate with external advisors and auditors. Maintain audit-ready documentation for all tax filings.Budgeting, Forecasting & Reporting Prepare the annual operating budget in coordination with the General Manager and department heads. Produce monthly variance analysis, cash flow forecasts, and financial KPI reports. Provide cost and pricing analysis to support management decisions and quotations.Internal Controls & Audit Enforce segregation of duties across purchasing, receiving, payment, and recording. Oversee petty cash, the fixed asset register, and periodic inventory counts with the Storekeeper. Coordinate with internal and external auditors and track and close audit findings within agreed timelines.Team Supervision Supervise, guide, and evaluate the Accounting Assistant; allocate work and review outputs.Other Perform any other duties reasonably required by the General Manager that are consistent with the scope of this role.CompetenciesCore: ▸ Financial Accounting — Strong command of IFRS, month-end close, and financial statement preparation▸ Job Costing — Practical experience costing projects and work orders in a contracting or facility services business▸ Saudi Tax & Zakat — Working knowledge of VAT, e-invoicing, withholding tax, and Zakat requirements -Payroll & GOSI — Experience with large blue-collar payrolls, the Wage Protection System, GOSI, and end-of-service provisions▸ Systems — Proficiency in an ERP accounting system and advanced Excel ▸ Internal Controls — Understanding of control design, segregation of duties, and audit requirements. JD Chief AccountantSoft: ▸ Integrity & Independence — Uncompromising professional ethics; willingness to challenge irregularities regardless of seniority▸ Attention to Detail — High accuracy in records, reconciliations, and reporting▸ Communication — Ability to explain financial information clearly to engineers and operations staff▸ Organisation — Disciplined approach to deadlines and closing timetables ▸Supervision — Ability to develop and hold a junior team member to standard.Job SpecificationsIndustry: General Contracting / Facility Management / Engineering ConsultancyExperience:▸ 6 to 10 years of accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a lead or senior accountant role▸ Experience must have been gained in contracting, construction, engineering consultancy, or facility management environments▸ Hands-on experience with project or job costing and payroll for a large, multi-national technical workforce▸ Experience with intercompany accounting within a group or multi-entity structure is strongly preferred▸ Experience supporting external audits and preparing tax and Zakat filings.Education:▸ Bachelor's degree in Accounting▸ SOCPA fellowship or membership is preferred▸ Professional certification (CMA, CPA, SOCPA) is an advantage.Languages:▸ Arabic — Required▸ English — Proficient.