Head of Financial Accounting

About the Role

We are partnering with a premier Saudi real estate development and investment organisation to identify a dynamic and visionary leader for the position of Head of Financial Accounting. This pivotal role demands a seasoned finance executive who will oversee the full spectrum of financial management, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and reporting for the organisation and its subsidiaries. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Vice President of Support Services, the Head of Financial Accounting will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, delivering critical financial insights to inform investment strategies, development initiatives, and commercial decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Financial Accounting will provide strategic and operational leadership across the finance function, encompassing financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting operations, tax, and treasury. Core responsibilities include:

• Financial Leadership & Strategy: Spearhead the development and execution of annual business plans, departmental budgets, and financial forecasts to align with organisational objectives.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including consolidated reporting across all subsidiaries. Ensure strict adherence to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Saudi Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and local regulatory requirements, including VAT, Zakat, Withholding Tax (WHT), and Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) mandates.
• Audit & Stakeholder Management: Lead statutory audits, manage relationships with external auditors, financial institutions, tax advisors, and other key stakeholders to maintain transparency and regulatory compliance.
• Treasury & Cash Flow Management: Direct treasury operations, including cash flow forecasting, banking relationships, and credit facility management to optimise liquidity and financial stability.
• Real Estate Financial Analysis: Provide in-depth financial analysis to support critical business decisions, including property acquisitions, development feasibility studies, lease pricing strategies, capital allocation, and investment performance evaluations.
• Performance Monitoring & Risk Management: Continuously monitor financial performance, investment returns, risk exposure, and cost management initiatives to safeguard organisational assets and enhance profitability.
• Executive Reporting & Board Engagement: Deliver high-level financial reporting and strategic analysis to senior leadership and the Board, presenting forecasts, performance metrics, and actionable recommendations to drive informed decision-making.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance & Accounting team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. Establish clear performance metrics and succession plans to ensure long-term organisational resilience.
• Finance Transformation: Drive the evolution of the finance function through the implementation of advanced technologies, including automation, Power BI reporting, Yardi, and AI-assisted financial tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and real-time decision-making capabilities.
• Financial Governance & Controls: Maintain robust financial governance frameworks, internal controls, and audit readiness to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory standards.

Candidate Profile

We seek a seasoned finance leader with a proven track record of technical accounting expertise, strategic acumen, and commercial insight. The ideal candidate will possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, complemented by a Master’s degree or MBA (preferred).
• Professional qualifications such as CPA, ACCA, CMA, or an equivalent designation.
• A minimum of 5-8 years of progressive finance experience, with at least two years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience within the real estate, property management, development, or a closely aligned sector.
• In-depth knowledge of IFRS, Saudi GAAP, VAT, Zakat, and WHT regulations, along with hands-on experience managing statutory audits and external auditor relationships.
• Strong proficiency in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling.
• Proven expertise in treasury management, cash flow planning, and capital investment analysis.
• The ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights for executive stakeholders.
• Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of building and developing high-performing finance teams.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a forward-thinking finance leader to shape the financial future of a leading organisation in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic real estate sector. If you are ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role, we invite you to apply and join a team committed to excellence and innovation.