Chief Accountant

Palms Agro Production Company; Kuwait; On-site; KWD 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

Palms Agro Production Company in Kuwait seeks an experienced Senior Accountant to lead the full accounting function, supervise the accounting team, and ensure timely closings and accurate reporting.

The ideal candidate has 7–10 years in a project-based business, strong IFRS knowledge, ERP experience, and bilingual Arabic/English. You will coordinate audits and drive internal controls to safeguard assets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience in a project-based business.
• Experience managing an accounting team including senior/junior accountants.
• Strong knowledge of full-cycle accounting, IFRS, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the company's full accounting function and daily operations.
• Manage, supervise, and develop the accounting team.
• Plan and control monthly, quarterly, and year-end closings.
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and adjustments.
• Prepare and review financial statements, reports, and analyses.
• Ensure timely reporting of financial position and performance.
• Oversee project accounting, job costing, WIP, and cost variances.
• Coordinate with external audits and maintain audit trails.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Accounting software

Excel

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the company's full accounting function and daily accounting operations.
• Manage, supervise, and develop the accounting team, including Senior and Junior Accountants.
• Plan and control the monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing processes and ensure timely completion.
• Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, provisions, and accounting adjustments.
• Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, and financial analyses.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of the company's financial position and performance.
• Monitor project accounting, job costing, WIP, project profitability, and cost variances.
• Ensure proper allocation and control of project costs, overheads, and operating expenses.
• Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, bank reconciliations, and payroll accounting.
• Maintain effective controls over inventory, fixed assets, cash, receivables, payables, and other financial assets.
• Lead the preparation of budgets, forecasts, cash flow reports, and variance analysis.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, Kuwait statutory requirements, and applicable tax and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate and manage external audits, including preparation of audit schedules and responding to auditor queries.
• Establish, maintain, and improve internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures.
• Identify weaknesses in accounting processes and implement improvements to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and control.Work closely with the CFO and other departments to provide accurate financial information and support management decision-making.
• Ensure proper documentation and audit trails for significant accounting transactions.
• Take ownership of accounting issues and resolve them proactively without unnecessary escalation.
• Perform other financial and accounting duties as required by management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, with substantial experience in a Senior Accountant, Accounting Supervisor, Chief Accountant, or similar role.
• Mandatory experience in construction, contracting, engineering, infrastructure, maintenance, landscaping, or another project-based business.
• Proven experience managing and supervising an accounting team, including Senior and Junior Accountants.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of full-cycle accounting and financial closing.
• Strong experience in project accounting, job costing, WIP, project profitability, and cost control.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Solid practical knowledge of IFRS and accounting principles.
• Strong knowledge of inventory accounting, fixed assets, and internal controls.
• Experience dealing directly with external auditors and managing audit requirements.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems and accounting software.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Good understanding of Kuwait tax, statutory, and regulatory requirements.
• Bilingual Arabic and English, with strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Strong leadership, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, and work effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.

Preferred Experience

• Large or medium-sized contracting/project-based organizations.
• Multiple projects and cost centers.
• Project profitability and WIP reporting.
• Subcontractor accounting, retention, advance payments, and variation orders.
• ERP implementation or accounting process improvement.
• Developing and strengthening internal controls and accounting procedures.
• Kuwait -based organizations.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for more than someone who can process accounting transactions.

The ideal candidate is a strong accounting leader who can take ownership of the accounting function, lead the team, maintain control over the numbers, deliver accurate financial reporting on time, identify problems before they become issues, and provide management with reliable financial information.