Regional Chief Accountant required for a leading luxury retail group, covering UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. This is a high impact role with full ownership of accounting, tax and cash management across multiple markets. The position will focus on strengthening controls, improving processes and bringing structure, rigour and leadership within a fast paced regional finance environment. Strong regional exposure, tax knowledge and experience operating across multi entity structures are key.

Regional Chief Accountant

Location: Dubai, UAE
Coverage: UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain
Industry: Luxury Retail
Salary: AED 35,000 – 45,000 per month + benefits

Overview

We are working on a key hire for a leading luxury retail group within their regional finance team.

This is a critical role for the business, focused on strengthening the accounting, tax and cash management backbone across the region.

The role offers significant regional exposure and will play a central role in ensuring financial accuracy, compliance and operational excellence across multiple entities.

Role Purpose

The Regional Chief Accountant will take full ownership of:

• Regional accounting operations
• Tax (direct and indirect) and compliance
• Cash management and financial control

This is a hands-on leadership role, requiring both strong technical expertise and the ability to lead, challenge and improve existing processes within a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Accounting & Reporting

• Oversee accounting across multiple GCC entities (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain)
• Ensure timely and accurate month-end close in line with IFRS standards
• Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, accruals and financial reporting
• Manage intercompany reconciliations and ensure consistency across entities
• Partner with regional stakeholders to align accounting with business operations

Accounts Payable & Receivable Oversight

• Supervise AP and AR processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency and compliance
• Oversee sales reconciliation across systems (SAP, CEGID, Kyriba)
• Ensure proper accounting of retail transactions including cash, card, vouchers and wholesale flows
• Monitor receivables and aging, ensuring strong control over working capital

Tax & Compliance

• Own direct and indirect tax compliance across all jurisdictions
• Manage VAT filings, corporate tax requirements and coordination with external advisors
• Act as the main point of contact for tax audits and regulatory matters
• Ensure full compliance with local regulations and group policies

Treasury & Cash Management

• Oversee cashflow reporting, forecasting and variance analysis
• Review and approve all payments, ensuring strong controls and compliance
• Monitor liquidity and propose short-term financing solutions where required
• Ensure accurate bank reconciliations and financial flow tracking

Inventory & Retail Finance

• Oversee inventory accounting and reconciliation across systems
• Monitor inventory movements, freight, duties and stock accuracy
• Ensure alignment between retail systems and finance reporting
• Bring a strong understanding of inventory-driven retail environments

Leadership & Team Management

• Manage a team of 3 direct reports, with broader exposure to a team of ~12–13
• Provide structure, coaching and development across the accounting function
• Act as a key support to the CFO and senior finance leadership
• Build credibility and influence across finance, operations and retail teams

Process Improvement & Systems

• Identify gaps, inefficiencies and control weaknesses
• Drive continuous improvement across accounting and finance processes
• Support ongoing systems integration and optimisation (SAP environment)
• Bring a proactive, “challenge the status quo” mindset

What They’re Looking For

• 10–15 years’ experience in accounting and tax roles
• Strong GCC regional exposure (UAE essential; Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain highly advantageous)
• Deep understanding of multi-jurisdictional tax frameworks
• Experience in retail or inventory-driven environments strongly preferred
• Proven ability managing cross-border, multi-entity operations
• Strong cash management and working capital understanding
• Ability to identify blind spots, challenge processes and operate with a forensic mindset
• Confident communicator with natural authority and leadership presence
• Comfortable in a hands-on, detail-focused role

Preferred Background

• Big 4 training highly desirable
• Professional qualification: CA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent
• Arabic speaker is a plus
• Strong systems exposure (SAP, retail systems, treasury tools)

Team & Structure

• Reporting into Senior Finance Manager (Deputy CFO)
• Oversight of accounting, tax and treasury functions
• Managing 3 direct reports within a broader regional finance team
• Role expected to evolve with team expansion and system transformation

Additional Information

• Regional travel required
• Start date: ASAP (notice considered)

Interview Process

• Initial meeting with HR and Hiring Manager
• Further stakeholder interviews (including senior leadership)
• Excel-based case study assessment
• Final in-person interviews preferred