Chief Regional Accountant Middle East

Overview

Salary

Overview

Role Purpose

• The Regional Chief Accountant will take full ownership of:
• Regional accounting operations
• Tax (direct and indirect) and compliance
• Cash management and financial control
• This is a
• hands-on leadership role
• , requiring both strong technical expertise and the ability to lead, challenge and improve existing processes within a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Regional Accounting & Reporting

• Oversee accounting across multiple GCC entities (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain)
• Ensure timely and accurate
• month-end close
• in line with IFRS standards
• Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, accruals and financial reporting
• Manage intercompany reconciliations and ensure consistency across entities
• Partner with regional stakeholders to align accounting with business operations

Accounts Payable & Receivable Oversight

• Supervise AP and AR processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency and compliance
• Oversee sales reconciliation across systems (SAP, CEGID, Kyriba)
• Ensure proper accounting of retail transactions including cash, card, vouchers and wholesale flows
• Monitor receivables and aging, ensuring strong control over working capital

Tax & Compliance

• Own
• direct and indirect tax compliance
• across all jurisdictions
• Manage VAT filings, corporate tax requirements and coordination with external advisors
• Act as the main point of contact for tax audits and regulatory matters
• Ensure full compliance with local regulations and group policies

Treasury & Cash Management

• Oversee cashflow reporting, forecasting and variance analysis
• Review and approve all payments, ensuring strong controls and compliance
• Monitor liquidity and propose short-term financing solutions where required
• Ensure accurate bank reconciliations and financial flow tracking

Inventory & Retail Finance

• Oversee inventory accounting and reconciliation across systems
• Monitor inventory movements, freight, duties and stock accuracy
• Ensure alignment between retail systems and finance reporting
• Bring a strong understanding of
• inventory-driven retail environments

Leadership & Team Management

• Manage a team of
• 3 direct reports
• , with broader exposure to a team of \~12-13
• Provide structure, coaching and development across the accounting function
• Act as a key support to the CFO and senior finance leadership
• Build credibility and influence across finance, operations and retail teams

Process Improvement & Systems

• Identify gaps, inefficiencies and control weaknesses
• Drive continuous improvement across accounting and finance processes
• Support ongoing
• systems integration and optimisation (SAP environment)
• Bring a proactive, "challenge the status quo" mindset

What They'Re Looking For

• **10-15 years' experience**
• in accounting and tax roles
• Strong
• GCC regional exposure
• (UAE essential; Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain highly advantageous)
• Deep understanding of
• multi-jurisdictional tax frameworks
• Experience in
• retail or inventory-driven environments
• strongly preferred
• Proven ability managing
• cross-border, multi-entity operations
• Strong
• cash management and working capital understanding
• Ability to identify blind spots, challenge processes and operate with a
• forensic mindset
• Confident communicator with
• natural authority and leadership presence
• Comfortable in a
• hands-on, detail-focused role

Preferred Background

• Big 4 training highly desirable
• Professional qualification:
• CA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent
• Arabic speaker is a plus
• Strong systems exposure (SAP, retail systems, treasury tools)

Team & Structure

• Reporting into Senior Finance Manager (Deputy CFO)
• Oversight of accounting, tax and treasury functions
• Managing 3 direct reports within a broader regional finance team
• Role expected to evolve with
• team expansion and system transformation

Additional Information

• Regional travel required
• Start date: ASAP (notice considered)

Interview Process

• Initial meeting with HR and Hiring Manager
• Further stakeholder interviews (including senior leadership)
• Excel-based case study assessment
• Final in-person interviews preferred