Financial Reporting Lead (IFRS Expert)📣 Job Ad

About the Financial Reporting Lead Role

KAUST is seeking a Financial Reporting Lead to oversee the University's financial reporting function and team. This full-time position, based in Thuwal, Makkah Region, requires a professional to ensure the preparation and delivery of accurate, timely, and IFRS-compliant financial information. The role is central to group reporting, including the preparation of separate and consolidated financial statements, and provides technical leadership on complex accounting matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee annual and periodic financial closing processes for KAUST.
• Prepare KAUST's separate and consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS.
• Lead group consolidation activities, including intercompany eliminations and consolidation adjustments.
• Coordinate and support internal and external audit activities, including preparation of audit schedules, responding to audit queries, and addressing audit findings.
• Lead, mentor, and develop financial reporting team members, supporting capability building, knowledge transfer, and succession planning.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on complex accounting matters within the Finance Division and to other stakeholders.
• Oversee control accounts’ reconciliations and ensure timely resolution of reconciling items.
• Review and enhance the financial reporting process, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, automation, and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with internal control frameworks, accounting policies, procedures, processes, and other governance requirements.
• Support ERP (SAP) reporting and consolidation enhancements, system improvements, and reporting automation initiatives.
• Prepare management reports, financial analyses, and ad hoc reporting for senior management and key stakeholders.
• Perform other finance and reporting-related duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Full or partial completion of a recognized professional accountancy qualification (CPA, CMA, ACCA, ACA, or equivalent) is required.
• Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in financial accounting and reporting within a complex organization.
• Proven experience in group financial reporting and preparation of consolidated financial statements.
• Strong experience in month-end and year-end close processes and audit coordination.
• Experience with ERP accounting systems, preferably SAP.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint).
• Prior experience leading or supervising team members is highly desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of accounting principles, business, and system processes.
• Experience in financial modeling and analysis tools.

Required Competencies and Attributes

• Strong technical expertise in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Solid hands-on experience in group reporting, subsidiaries oversight, and consolidated financial statements.
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, governance frameworks, and financial reporting best practices.
• Proven leadership and coaching skills, with the ability to guide and develop team members.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and financial interpretation skills.
• Excellent planning, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and support informed decision-making.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to deliver accurate outputs under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex, fast-paced, and deadline-driven environment.
• Strong ownership mindset with the ability to independently manage priorities and deliver results.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Confident communicator with the ability to engage effectively with senior management, auditors, and external parties.
• Proactive, solution-oriented approach with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Work Location and Type

This is a full-time position located in Thuwal, Makkah Region.