Financial Accountant

Job description / Role

Assist the Financial Controller and Finance Manager, in delivering a high quality and effective audit process and to work with the Regional Tax Manager and one of the EDPM MEA Finance Directors to ensure prompt and accurate tax compliance across the region and improve the tax planning process to ensure the most efficient and effective tax structure and processes. The Financial Accountant will manage the Tax Compliance activities and the Internal and External Audit requirements across the Region.

As a provider of multi-disciplined technical services to the built environment, EDPM is committed to design excellence in the delivery of first class solutions which combine innovation, imagination and best practice.

As part of the SNC-Lavalin Group we operate as a global fully integrated professional services and project management company - including capital investment, consulting, design, engineering, construction, sustaining capital and operations and maintenance. Together, SNCL has over 50,000 employees and annual revenues of approximately C$12 billion.

A position has arisen to assist the Regional Financial Controller, in delivering a high quality and effective audit process and to work with the Regional Tax Manager and one of the EDPM MEA Finance Directors to ensure prompt and accurate tax compliance across the region and improve the tax planning process to ensure the most efficient and effective tax structure and processes. The Financial Accountant will manage the Tax Compliance activities and the Internal and External Audit requirements across the Region. The role will be focused on ensuring their team deliver clear, accurate and insightful reporting to the Regional Senior Leadership Team and to the Group and EDPM Sector team in Canada and the UK respectively. The role will need to ensure robust controls and make sure that audit process, financial statements and monthly closing process all operate effectively.

Responsibilities

- Responsibility for successful delivery of the audits and financial statements for all EDPM Middle East companies;
- Support to the Finance Director and Tax Manager on tax related initiatives and analysis
- Ensure compliance with local tax jurisdictions and prompt delivery of income tax, withholding tax and VAT returns;
- Preparation and updates of audit and tax trackers and presenting to the Regional Finance Director;
- Coordinating with, and providing samples to, internal and external auditors.
- Managing the preparation of Financial Statements for local statutory reporting;
- Ensure accuracy of workflow and completion within the specified deadlines;
- Develop strong working relationships with team members and other key stakeholders within Central Finance;
- Assisting the team to drive process efficiencies and ensure effective implementation of tax policies;
- Seek opportunities to learn new skills and aspire to develop within the team;

Technical Competencies

Essential

- Fully Qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA/CPA or other recognised Western Accounting qualification;
- Minimum of 2 years, experience within a Finance Environment.
- Good core tax knowledge, including both direct and indirect taxes (GCC exposure useful but not essential)
- Competent accountant with good understanding of double entry and accounting best practices.
- Experience in 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;
- Proven ability to develop strong working relationships and communicate effectively at all levels.

Requirements

Desirable

- Some Big 4 experience as an associate or above (PwC/EY/KPMG/Deloitte);
- Some exposure to preparing statutory returns and financial statements.
- Working knowledge of JD Edwards, Hyperion Finance Management (HFM), Smart View and other specific IT systems and databased;

Behavioural Competencies

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 ahead 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, communicate complexity clearly, avoid being abrasive or judgemental.

Salary & Benefits

- A competitive salary
- Accommodation allowance
- Transportation allowance
- 22 calendar days annual leave (based on 5 day working week)
- Medical and life insurance cover
- 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.

SNC Lavalin's Atkins business is one of the largest multidisciplinary, multi sector engineering design consultancies in the world and is part of the SNC Lavalin Group.

As one of the world's most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies with a leading track record in the defence sector, Atkins are ideally placed to respond to this market. We have a broad establishment and proud, 50 year history throughout the Middle East region.

We provide a full range of design, engineering and project management services for buildings, transportation and other infrastructure programmes.

Atkins in the Middle East now employs around 2,000 staff serving Gulf clients across all market sectors from offices in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Manama, Muscat, Riyadh, and Sharjah.

About the Company

Atkins is one of the leading providers of professional, technology based consultancy and support services to the industry, commerce and governments in all of the worlds major economies. With over 17,000 staff operating in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas, Atkins has a broad range of skills and resources and provides Clients with a comprehensive service throughout the entire life cycle of the projects in the built environment.

We aim to be the international first choice supplier of technical and integrated services. Shaped by our customers' needs, our vision is to:

• focus on quality
• seek world class design and excellence
• strive to add value
• be flexible to the evolving needs of a changing society

Atkins first carried out design and supervision commissions in the Gulf area in 1967. From its regional head office in Dubai, U.A.E. Atkins Middle East now employs over 2000 staff located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Oman (Muscat ), Qatar (Doha) Bahrain (Manama), Kuwait (Kuwait City) and India (Bangalore).