Chief Accountant - Saudi Arabia

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company specialized in the refining of gold and precious metals, bullion production, and value-added precious-metal services. Operating within the Kingdom's mining value chain, SGR is aligned to the Vision 2030 mining pillar and to the regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) and applicable Saudi and international standards. We produce responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, operate to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned quality standards, and invest in the people, processes, and controls behind every bar we produce.

Role Overview

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is seeking a Chief Accountant in Saudi Arabia to lead the financial reporting and control functions for our mining and refining operations. This role ensures the accuracy of financial statements, compliance with ZATCA regulations, and proper valuation of precious metal inventories. The Chief Accountant will support the CFO in maintaining rigorous internal controls aligned with LBMA and industrial standards.

The Chief Accountant will report directly to the CFO and will play a key role in optimizing the monthly close process and managing external audits. This position requires a leader who can bridge the gap between operational data from the refinery and exploration sites and financial reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities

The Chief Accountant will be responsible for the following key areas of financial management and compliance.

Financial Close and Reporting

The role manages the monthly and annual financial close processes to ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS.

Inventory Accounting Control

This position oversees the reconciliation of precious metal inventories including dore and bullion to ensure financial records match physical vault and assay data.

Tax and Zakat Compliance

The Chief Accountant ensures full compliance with ZATCA regulations including the accurate filing of VAT, Zakat, and withholding tax returns.

Audit Management

The role serves as the primary point of contact for external auditors and regulatory inspectors to facilitate smooth and efficient audit cycles.

Internal Controls Oversight

This position maintains and monitors internal financial controls to safeguard assets and prevent fraud across all business units.

Team Leadership

The Chief Accountant supervises the accounting team including AP, AR, and general ledger staff to ensure high performance and professional development.

Systems and Process Improvement

The role identifies and implements improvements in financial systems and processes to enhance efficiency and data accuracy.

Regulatory Liaison

This position manages relationships with external bodies such as ZATCA, banks, and insurance providers to ensure regulatory and contractual compliance.

Budgeting Support

The Chief Accountant supports the CFO in the preparation of annual budgets and periodic forecasts by providing historical data and variance analysis.

Payroll Accounting Oversight

The role ensures the accurate accounting of payroll expenses by reconciling GOSI and Mudad data with general ledger entries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance from a recognized university.
• Professional certification such as CPA, ACCA, CMA, or SOCPA is required.
• Minimum of 12 years of accounting experience with significant time in a senior role.
• Experience in the mining, metals, or manufacturing industry is essential.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and Saudi statutory financial regulations.
• Proven track record of managing external audits and tax inspections.
• Experience in leading and developing accounting teams.
• Fluency in English is required for professional communication and reporting.

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Master's degree in Finance or Business Administration.
• Experience with precious metal accounting and LBMA standards.
• Proficiency in Arabic for local government interactions.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle in an industrial context.

Success Metrics

• Monthly financial close is completed within five working days with zero material adjustments.
• External audit is completed with an unqualified opinion and no significant control deficiencies.
• Zakat and VAT filings are submitted on time with 100% accuracy and no penalties.
• Inventory reconciliations between physical metal and financial records are completed monthly with no variances.
• Internal control audits show full compliance with company policies and segregation of duties.
• Accounting team turnover is minimized through effective leadership and development plans.
• Financial reporting processes are automated where possible to reduce manual effort and error risk.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Hiring decisions are made based on role requirements, skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.