Chief Accountant

Position Overview

As the Chief Accountant at StayKSA, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading the financial infrastructure of one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s most dynamic travel-technology enterprises. This senior position is designed for a strategic and detail-oriented finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to build a robust accounting function from the ground up. Reporting to the Platform Head and collaborating closely with Siad Holding Finance, as well as cross-functional teams including Operations, Commercial, Customer Service, and Technology, you will be responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of all financial operations. Your leadership will be instrumental in maintaining the general ledger, executing seamless month-end closings, and delivering precise financial reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Reporting

In this role, you will oversee the end-to-end accounting function, ensuring the general ledger and chart of accounts are maintained with the highest standards of accuracy. You will lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes, delivering timely and error-free financial statements, including Profit & Loss, balance sheet, and cash-flow reports. A critical aspect of this role involves ensuring correct revenue recognition for Online Travel Agency (OTA) transactions, including the proper accounting treatment for principal versus agent models, deferred revenue on prepaid bookings, and refund and cancellation accounting. Additionally, you will prepare insightful management accounting reports to support strategic decision-making and align with the consolidation requirements of Siad Holding Finance.

OTA Payment, Booking & Settlement Reconciliation

You will be responsible for reconciling booking transactions across the StayKSA platform against payment gateway settlements, bank statements, and the ERP system on a daily and weekly basis. This includes managing reconciliations for all customer payment channels, such as card schemes and mada, digital wallets, and Buy-Now-Pay-Later providers, against platform booking logs. Furthermore, you will oversee the issuance, limit tracking, and settlement of virtual credit cards (VCCs) for hotel and distribution partner payables. Reconciling merchant and agency settlement feeds, tracking platform cash float, and deferred revenue accounts will also fall under your purview. Prompt investigation and resolution of payment discrepancies will be essential to maintaining financial integrity across booking systems, payment providers, ERP, and bank accounts.

Accounts Payable, Receivable & Partner Settlements

Your responsibilities will extend to overseeing supplier accounting for a diverse range of partners, including hotel partners, bed banks, channel managers, flight settlement flows, technology vendors, marketing agencies, and operational suppliers. You will manage the accounts payable and receivable cycles, ensuring accurate and timely payout schedules while maintaining strong cash controls on payment runs. Additionally, you will process customer refunds, chargebacks, and cancellation adjustments in coordination with the Customer Service team, adhering to agreed service level agreements (SLAs).

Treasury & Operational Cash Flow

You will monitor daily bank balances and execute payment batches under stringent approval controls to ensure operational liquidity. Maintaining visibility over operational cash flow will be critical to guaranteeing timely supplier settlements and covering operating expenses, thereby supporting the financial health of the organization.

Tax, Regulatory & Statutory Compliance

Ensuring full compliance with Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) requirements will be a cornerstone of this role. This includes seamless integration with Phase 2 of e-invoicing, accurate and timely VAT filings, adherence to Withholding Tax regulations for foreign vendors, and precise Zakat computations. You will prepare and submit all tax returns with zero penalty exposure, coordinate annual statutory audits, and act as the primary liaison with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory authorities. Additionally, you will handle payroll accounting and GOSI-related entries in collaboration with the HR department, while maintaining all statutory accounting records and audit-ready documentation.

Financial Controls & Governance

You will establish and maintain robust internal financial controls aligned with Siad Holding standards, including segregation of duties across finance processes. Monitoring financial risks, recommending corrective actions, and safeguarding company assets through effective control mechanisms will be integral to your role. Continuous review and enhancement of accounting procedures will ensure ongoing improvements in accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Qualifications: Professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, or equivalent) with a minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 5 years in a senior finance leadership role.
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of IFRS, ZATCA compliance, and e-invoicing requirements. Proficiency in ERP systems, financial reporting tools, and reconciliation processes.
• Industry Experience: Prior experience in the travel, hospitality, or technology sectors, particularly with OTA platforms, is highly desirable.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Proven ability to lead and develop a finance team, foster cross-functional collaboration, and drive process improvements in a dynamic environment.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex financial data, identify discrepancies, and implement corrective actions efficiently.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills with the ability to liaise effectively with senior leadership, external auditors, and regulatory authorities.