Chief Accountant

confidential; Kuwait City; On-site; KWD 15,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Kuwait is seeking a Chief Accountant to ensure the integrity of financial statements and oversee critical accounting functions. This role requires a Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of experience in the industry. Responsibilities include managing cash flows, auditing transactions, and preparing government-related reports. The candidate must possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in accounting software, and fluency in English and Arabic, while knowledge of French is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in retail or similar industry.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards and financial reporting.
• Fluent in English and Arabic; knowledge of French is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Reconcile yearly statements and manage cash flow forecasts.
• Audit daily financial transactions and validate accounts payable.
• Prepare and submit statutory government reports quarterly.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Interpersonal communication

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Accounting software

Job description

1. Job Purpose

The Chief Accountant ensures the accuracy and integrity of the company’s financial statements, serving as the primary auditor of the Trial Balance, Profit & Loss statements, and government-related financial declarations.

2. Key Responsibilities

• Reconcile yearly statements of accounts between the company and all suppliers.
• Prepare and manage company cash flow forecasts.
• Oversee and verify bank and cash reconciliations to ensure cashier operation accuracy.
• Prepare reports on accrual and prepaid charges (insurance, rent, etc.).
• Perform asset depreciation on vehicles, machinery, furniture, and other capital assets.
• Audit the daily consolidated journal and verify all daily financial transactions including:
• Supplier/client invoices and returns
• Franchise sales and returns
• Cash, credit card, and bank deposits
• Ticket resto and other payment types
• Audit and control franchise returns, validate item quantities and applied discounts.
• Monitor and report franchise balances every ten days and generate monthly commission invoices.
• Post monthly salary and insurance journal vouchers in line with payroll and prior-year benchmarks.
• Track and report supplier discounts including contractual and promotional contributions.
• Validate accounts payable including dues to suppliers, banks, and government bodies (e.g. NSSF, Ministry of Finance).
• Ensure correct application of VAT and NSSF journal entries on a quarterly basis.
• Prepare and submit statutory government reports such as R5 and R10.
• Validate daily bank deposits and maintain accurate reconciliations.
• Maintain organized documentation and proper filing of all financial transactions.
• Manage amortization records for assets to ensure timely depreciation entries.
• Flag overdue receivables to senior management for appropriate action.
• Perform other related accounting duties as assigned.

3. Communication & Working Relationships

• Report to and collaborate closely with the Senior Accountant and Finance Manager.
• Liaise professionally with suppliers, franchise partners, and banking representatives.

Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in retail or a similar industry.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards and financial reporting.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
• High ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Cooperative team spirit with strong interpersonal communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting software.
• Fluent in English and Arabic; knowledge of French is an added advantage.