Accounting Manager

About the Role

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp is seeking an Accounting Manager for a full-time position in Riyadh. This role involves leading and overseeing the accounting team and function for Saudi Arabia, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial records and reporting. The Accounting Manager is responsible for establishing, implementing, and maintaining effective accounting processes and controls for the collection, analysis, verification, and reporting of financial information. The role requires 2-5 years of relevant experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure timely and accurate recording of financial transactions and perform monthly closing activities for US GAAP financials.
• Perform and review periodic account analyses and reconciliations to ensure compliance with internal policies, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements, and internal control standards.
• Support external auditors during annual statutory audits, including financial statement preparation and documentation.
• Conduct detailed analysis of operating expenses by cost center and division.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders, including shared service centers, internal audit, payroll, tax, and treasury.
• Assist the Chief Financial Officer in leading and managing the accounting team.
• Undertake ad hoc tasks and projects as required.

Working Capital and Disbursement Management

• Ensure adequate working capital levels are maintained and monitor collections and outstanding customer claims.
• Review disbursement transactions for compliance with financial controls and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) requirements.
• Oversee audit processing of employee expense reimbursements and American Express activity monitoring.
• Manage monthly expense budgets versus actuals, including sponsorship activities and related financial compliance approvals.
• Oversee the monthly accrual process and coordinate with the Shared Service Center for payment processing.
• Identify and resolve disbursement-related issues in a timely manner.

Compliance and Financial Control

• Collaborate with the Compliance Committee to monitor outliers in marketing activities and review items of interest for adequate supporting documentation.
• Achieve financial objectives by forecasting requirements, preparing annual budgets, scheduling expenditures, and analyzing variances.
• Confirm financial status by monitoring revenues and expenses, and coordinating the collection, consolidation, and evaluation of financial data.
• Maintain accounting controls by establishing a chart of accounts and defining accounting policies and procedures.
• Ensure financial security through the implementation of internal controls and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support the Financial Planning team in headcount and cost center expense analysis.
• Lead the financial business module and Purchase-to-Pay SAP implementation project.
• Provide guidance to other departments by interpreting accounting policies and recommending operational improvements.
• Safeguard organizational value by maintaining strict confidentiality of financial information.

Qualifications

Candidates should possess 2-5 years of experience in an accounting role, demonstrating strong capabilities in financial reporting, compliance, and team leadership. The role requires a professional who can collaborate effectively with finance leadership and internal stakeholders to support sound financial decision-making and organizational objectives.