Senior Accountant – Pharmaceutical Distribution

CITY PHARMACY L.L.C; Sharjah; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CITY PHARMACY L.L.C in Sharjah seeks a skilled Senior Accountant for its finance team. The successful candidate will ensure accurate financial reporting and maintain strong internal controls within a fast-paced pharmaceutical distribution environment.

Key responsibilities include preparing financial statements, leading audits, and managing inventory accounting. The ideal applicant should have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and 4–7 years of experience, preferably in healthcare or FMCG.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4–7 years of relevant accounting experience.
• Prior experience in pharmaceutical distribution or healthcare products is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and UAE VAT.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in line with IFRS.
• Lead month end and year end closing activities.
• Monitor and analyze gross margins by product, supplier, and customer.
• Ensure correct VAT treatment and prepare VAT returns.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Problem solving skills

Advanced Excel skills

Knowledge of IFRS

Knowledge of UAE VAT

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Senior Accountant – Pharmaceutical Distribution

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Accountant with strong exposure to pharmaceutical distribution to join our finance team. This role is critical in ensuring accurate financial reporting, robust inventory and margin controls, compliance with IFRS and UAE VAT regulations, and adherence to healthcare industry requirements in a fast-paced, expiry sensitive environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• o Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in line with IFRS
• o Lead month end and year end closing activities, including journal entries, accruals, and provisions
• o Monitor and analyze gross margins by product, supplier, and customer
• o Ensure correct VAT treatment of pharmaceutical products (zero rated vs standard rated) and prepare VAT returns
• o Support internal and external audits and regulatory reviews
• o Maintain strong internal controls and accurate audit trails
• o Review accounts receivable, credit notes, and bad debt provisions
• o Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
• o Work closely with supply chain, sales, regulatory, and operations teams
• o Supervise and mentor junior accounting staff
• o Drive continuous improvement in accounting processes and ERP system utilization
• Manage and control pharmaceutical inventory accounting, including:
  • o Batch/lot and expiry tracking
  • o Inventory valuation and reconciliations
  • o Provisions for expired, near expiry, slow moving, and obsolete stock

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum 4–7 years of relevant accounting experience
• Prior experience in pharmaceutical distribution, healthcare products, or FMCG is highly preferred
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, inventory accounting, and UAE VAT
• Hands on experience with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills
• Audit experience and regulatory exposure within the healthcare sector are a plus

Preferred Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proactive, hands on approach with a continuous improvement mindset
• High ethical standards and professional integrity