Assistant Financial Accountant (Tax)

Job Description

SNC Lavalin is one of the largest multidisciplinary, multi sector engineering design consultancies in the world. We have a broad establishment and a proud 50 year history throughout the Middle East region.

We are looking for an Assistant Financial Accountant to join the Middle East Finance Operations Team to look after tax related matters for the Middle East region. The Assistant Financial Accountant will report to the Tax Compliance Manager.

Middle East Finance Operations team is responsible for managing the technical accounting, transactional processing and statutory and tax compliance for all SNC Lavalin’s companies operating in the Middle East & Africa region, ensuring all internal and external reporting deadlines are met. The team is responsible for the preparation of internal financial reports for Group submission as well as the preparation of financial statements and tax filings for local statutory purposes. The team also ensures compliance with the SNC Lavalin’s Standard Operating Procedures and maintains and evaluates internal control which govern the core financial processes.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Financial Accountant will assist in organising and performing the tax compliance activities for multiple countries in the ME region, including preparation of periodic tax returns, assistance with tax inspections and audits and implementation of new/improved processes that comply with applicable tax regulations and best practices. 

Core responsibilities will include:

• Preparing the VAT and WHT returns for all the Middle East businesses, mainly operating in KSA, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar;

• Responding to VAT and WHT questions and queries from within the finance team, the business and tax authorities (under guidance from the Tax Compliance Manager);

• Assist in preparation of other Middle East tax compliance requirements such as but not limited to income tax, transfer pricing, and others;

• Assist in collating data and responding to tax authorities’ queries and audits;

• Create and maintain required tax documentation and related paperwork for each country in the required formats to meet both internal and statutory requirements;

• Support financial accounting team in ensuring that quarterly and year-end tax provisions are correctly prepared within required timeframes;

• Ensure compliance with Group’s Standard Operating Procedures and best practices;

• Preparation of periodic reports and reconciliations to be submitted to the business and Group;

• Coordinating with, and providing samples to, internal and external auditors;

• Ensure accuracy of workflow and completion within the specified deadlines;

• Develop strong working relationships with team members and other key stakeholders;

• Ad-hoc support to relevant business improvement projects;

• Seek opportunities to learn new skills and aspire to develop within the team.

Requirements

Technical Competencies

Essential

• Partial / Fully Qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA/CPA or other recognised Accounting qualification;

• 3 years’ experience within tax function, preferably in MNCs operating in the Middle East;

• Experience in preparing General Ledger journal entries and accounts reconciliations;

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel (ability to build custom models is an advantage);

• Working knowledge of other Microsoft Office tools;

• High standard of (numerical) presentation skills;

• Excellent communication in English (both written and oral);

• Experience of interacting with multiple businesses and finance functions;

• Experience of working within a multi-cultural environment.

Desirable

• Big 4/MNC experience as an associate or above;

• Grip over Arabic language will be an advantage;

• Some exposure to preparing statutory returns and financial statements;

• Working knowledge of JD Edwards, Oracle, Smart View and other specific IT systems and databases would be an added advantage.

Behavioural

Essential

• Initiative – Able to work independently with minimum supervision, make suggestions on best practice and improving current processes and procedures

• Problem Solving – Can think of creative solutions to problems

• Strong management and interpersonal skills – Able to develop productive internal working relationships with colleagues at all levels

• Analytical – Able to analyse large volumes of date and clearly communicate findings

• Teamwork – Willingly cooperate with others towards the same goals and objectives

• Communication skills – Clear, concise and relevant in both the verbal and written form

• Time Management – Able to prioritise, plan and achieve objectives within strict deadlines

• Influencing – Confident liaising with and influencing at all levels within the organisation

• Cultural Awareness – Able to work within a diverse team and to engage all colleagues

• Capable of intelligent debate – challenge colleagues in a constructive manner and communicate complexity clearly.

Rewards & Benefits

We offer an excellent package which includes:

• A competitive salary

• Transportation allowance

• Medical and life insurance cover

• 22 calendar days annual leave

• Medical and life insurance cover

• Company gratuity scheme

• Discretionary bonus scheme

• Annual flight allowance to point of origin

• Employee Assistance Programme – 24 hour free advice on financial, legal and family care specialists and also access to personal health, fitness and nutrition consultants