Accountant - Riyadh

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global law firm in Dubai is seeking an experienced accountant to maintain accounting records and handle taxation services for the Riyadh office. The ideal candidate will have over five years of experience in a similar role and a relevant professional accounting qualification. Responsibilities include payroll preparation, VAT returns, and financial reporting. This position requires strong analytical skills and excellent communication, particularly in English and Arabic.

Qualifications

• At least five years experience in a similar position in KSA.
• Strong technical accounting skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accounting records in line with KSA regulatory requirements.
• Prepare monthly payroll file and supplier payments.
• Upload monthly WPS file and prepare quarterly VAT returns.
• Perform accounting functions including billing and collections.

Skills

Communication skills in English

Analytical skills

Proficiency in MS Office

Knowledge of IFRS

Experience in 3E

Education

Graduate level education

Professional accountancy qualification (SOCPA, CA, ACA, ACCA)

Job description

We are looking for an accountant to perform accounting and taxation services for Riyadh office.

About CMS

CMS is a Future Facing firm with more than 70 offices in over 40 countries and 5000 lawyers worldwide. We combine deep local market understanding with a global perspective. We're passionate about building strong relationships with our clients, our people and the communities we work in.

We take a bold dynamic and agile approach to ensure our clients are able to face the future with confidence. We are driven by technology and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of working. Our aim is to inspire impact and support our clients and our people helping them to maximize their potential and thrive.

About the Role

• Maintain accounting records in line with KSA regulatory requirements;
• Prepare monthly payroll file including GOSI calculations and bank file for upload;
• Prepare all supplier payments for the Riyadh office in line with CMS approval procedures;
• Upload monthly WPS file to Mudad portal;
• Prepare quarterly VAT returns in line with KSA ZATCA regulations;
• Ensures all VAT invoices are compliant with KSA regulations and e-billing procedures;
• Perform accounting functions as directed by the Financial Controller, including billing and collections, balance sheet reconciliations, petty cash and accounts payable;
• Perform other related duties as assigned and respond to adhoc financial queries by gathering and interpreting data;
• Preparation of year end accounts and working papers for audits;
• Liaise with auditors, tax consultants and CMS tax team as required for the annual audit and corporation tax submissions;
• Calculate loan interest and post to local ledger;
• Complete month‑end close process for Riyadh office;
• Reconcile 3E records to local books maintained by an external service provider
  • monthly / quarterly
  • annual financial statements
• Identify differences and understand why they arise
  • Review 3E accounts
  • local accruals basis
  • local statutory basis
  • group partnership basis
  • UK group stat basis
• Ensure each basis is accounted for correctly, including ensuring IM adjustments are posted correctly in each book;
• Manage bottom half of balance sheet
  • partner drawings & distributions etc are posted correctly and rolled up to current accounts
  • Retained earnings are allocated to partners
  • Action necessary postings to correct
• Monthly review of balance sheets / P&L. Identify unusual / incorrect balances and help to correct where necessary; review month‑end postings checklist to ensure completed in line with the group instructions.

About You

Previous experience

• Working as part of a financial accounting team
• At least five years experience in a similar position in KSA.

Professional/Educational Qualification

• Graduate level education.
• A relevant professional accountancy qualification (SOCPA CA ACA ACCA)
• Strong technical accounting skills with knowledge of IFRS
• Proficient in MS Office applications (minimum of Excel and Word)

Skills & Experience required

• Meets all legal requirements to live and work in KSA.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic, able to communicate at all levels.
• Confident professional manner.
• Strong analytical skills, Excel skills and 3E experience.
• Grasp complex information and concepts with great attention to detail.
• Deliver high quality, risk‑aware pragmatic and practical advice in client‑friendly jargon‑free language (oral and written).
• Excellent understanding of best use of IT and other support functions to enhance advice and services both within the firm and externally to clients.
• Show initiative, good judgment, functioning well under pressure, able to switch gears on a moment’s notice and concentrate in an environment of multiple demands and distractions.
• Handle multiple priorities and perform accurately under time pressures and constraints.
• Seek development opportunities and take responsibility for own training and development, recognise areas for improvement, and work to address them in a given timeframe.
• Strongly self‑motivated with a sleeves‑rolled‑up mindset; always adopts a can‑do approach; takes pride in work.
• Personal and professional integrity unquestioned; owns up to errors promptly.
• Set an example by high quality of own work, consistency, enthusiasm and an open and professional attitude throughout the workplace.
• Plan, organise and prioritise very well; work to given timeframes; respond promptly to administrative tasks.
• Identify issues, risks and conflicts at an early stage seeking assistance as necessary.
• Display wide knowledge of CMNOs services markets and activities.

Equal Opportunities

At CMS a next‑generation mindset is woven into all we do. We’re diverse, supportive and inclusive, embracing our corporate social responsibility and creating a culture of sustainability in which every one of our people, whatever their background, can maximise their potential and thrive. For further information about CMS diversity initiatives and programmes please view the Diversity & Inclusion pages on our website.

Please apply online or contact a member of the Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions. For information regarding our competitive range of benefits please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Please note that CMS has a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.