Chief Accountant - Egypt

Purpose of the position:

With the purpose of conducting a standardized, high quality and cost-efficient support function, GSS (Global Shared Services) Finance has re-organized its Middle Eastern and Africa operations into a center responsible for defined finance processes and transactional tasks in Pune, India. The Chief Accountant will be based in Cairo, Egypt.

The Chief Accountant oversees, reviews and evaluates the corporate compliance program on the local level, which includes internal control procedures and policies. The Chief Accountant ensures that management and employees comply with local rules and regulations and that corporate and company policies are being followed.

The Chief Accountant is accountable to GSS management, in all compliance matters as listed in the job purpose. Accountability is achieved through providing stewardship on compliance matters for BA (Business Area)/GSS management in the Region.

Work to be performed/major duties:

• Responsible for all statutory reporting and compliance for the Egyptian legal entities.
• Drive standardization of accounting processes and recording of transaction in collaboration with the GSS center.
• Drive standardization of the chart of accounts and cost center structure for the legal entities.
• Work with Business Controllers and GSS to standardize daily, weekly, monthly and annual reporting.
• Monitors share capital development and dividends and makes sure that equity rules and dividend payment rules are followed and are legally compliant (eg. thin capitalization rules, limits to dividends, WHT on dividends, dividend reporting).
• Ensures compliance with Group accounting standards, International Accounting Standards, Statutory and Tax rules.
• Oversees tax compliance, supports in tax reviews and tax audits, supports in preparation of tax reports and tax calculation for annual group and statutory accounts. Supports preparation of local Transfer Pricing documentation.
• Oversees compliance to statutory rules, act as the main support in annual audits and preparation of annual statutory accounts and notes.
• Coordinates and facilitates in Internal Control matters.
• Prepares companies for Internal Control visits and participates in Group Internal Control visits.
• Main contact point for general accounting processes and group reporting, which includes providing input to specific accruals and provisions, Intercompany invoicing, investments and asset reviews, revenue recognition and questions on non-standard or complex journal entries.
• Take active steps to reconcile and pay all Intercompany balances in line with GSS Finance goals and KPI’s, taking into account local exchange control regulations. 
• Acts as main contact point towards auditors and outsourcing partners including tax advisors and local accounting service providers.
• Perform Cash management tasks for the legal entity including opening Group Treasury-approved bank accounts, closing previous bank accounts and ensuring bank reconciliations are up-to-date. Ensure there are joint bank signatories for each bank account.
• Support key strategic projects e.g. Finance system roll-out (Oracle).

• Generous Paid Leaves (Annual, Sick, Compassionate, Local Public, Marriage, Maternity, Paternity, Medical leave, Household Moving, Hajj Leave, Exam leave, Omra Leave, Unpaid leave­)
• Medical benefits (Health Check)
• Pension and Insurance Policies (Medical Insurance, Life and Accident Insurance, End of service benefits, Social Insurance)
• Additional Benefits (Long Service Awards, Mobile Phone Reimbursement, Professional Membership Fees, Relocation Allowance)

*Benefits may vary based on position, tenure/contract/grade level*

Required education and level:

• Certified accountant.
• Educational degree in Finance (BA or MA level).
• 5 years of experience working as Finance or Compliance Manager.
• Solid experience from a global Finance organization in an international company. Good understanding of all key business processes across functional areas. Experience working in Oracle is an advantage.

Characteristics of successful employee:  

• Fluent in English and Arabic - written and verbal communication skills (French an advantage but not required).
• Sharp judgment and good communication skills.
• Positive attitude, customer centric mindset and the willingness to go the extra mile to meet organizational goals.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documentation and various financial reports.
• Energetic and approachable fostering positive atmosphere and building strong relationships with key stakeholders. 
• Ability to work virtually/remotely having limited or no face-to-face interaction with most stakeholders.
• Solution oriented, willing to take initiative to solve problems.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Attentive to detail and deadlines.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Proven ability to learn and understand new software/accounting systems.

Essential:

On appointment the candidate must have: 

• Proven ability to produce clear written reports and communicate verbally in English.
• Experience on audits and tax compliance.
• Good IT skills, and experience using MS Office suite packages.
• Demonstrable ability to deliver complex tasks to tight timelines.
• Good organisation and time management skills.
• Adaptability, and able to cope with a wide variety of tasks.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong commercial acumen.
• Strong ethical focus.