Chief Accountant

About the role

Rifai is looking for a Chief Accountant who will direct and organize all general accounting activities and the accounting staff across its divisions. The role prepares accurate and timely accounting and financial reports, ensures the integrity of accounting systems and record keeping, and safeguards compliance with Lebanese regulations, group reporting requirements and internal controls.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations: accounts payable, inter-company transactions, daily shop closing reports, stock management, general ledger analysis, fixed assets, salaries and gift card/voucher reconciliation
• Ensure transactions are performed correctly and on time, create and approve daily and monthly journal entries, and deliver an accurate month-end, quarter-end and year-end close
• Perform bank and credit card reconciliations, validate inventory and fixed asset accounts, prepare project cost sheets and resolve inventory reconciliations
• Analyze accounting data, produce financial reports and statements including P&L and cash flow forecasts, compare actuals with plans and check cost centers against budget
• Enforce proper accounting methods and policies, monitor compliance with salary taxes, VAT, NSSF and other statutory taxes, and prepare the corporate tax calculation
• Run internal audits, coordinate with external auditors and support the Accounting Manager in maintaining fiscal files
• Direct and coach accounting staff, assign projects, and act as the finance interface with management, operations, HR, auditors and the group finance team

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting & Finance; CPA or equivalent is a plus
• 8+ years of accounting experience, including a supervisor role
• Fluency in Arabic and English; French is a plus

Required skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• ERP experience is a must
• Leadership, attention to detail, internal control mindset, integrity and confidentiality, and reporting and analysis