Accounting Manager

King & Spalding is a leading global law firm with a commitment to excellence, innovation, and the seamless delivery of legal services. We harness innovative technology and exceptional talent to meet the complex needs of our clients in a fast-paced and dynamic legal landscape.

The Accounting Manager - Middle East is a key member of the Firm's Finance function, responsible for accounting, financial reporting, and financial controls for the Firm's Middle East offices. The position ensures compliance with Firm policies, UAE and KSA requirements, other applicable local laws and regulations, and relevant international accounting standards. The role provides timely financial information and operational support to regional and firmwide leadership and works closely with office leadership, Finance, Tax, Treasury, Operations, external auditors, regulators, and other professional advisors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

•    Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for the Middle East offices, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and adherence to established deadlines.

•    Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, intercompany balances, and balance sheet schedules.

•    Oversee timely, accurate preparation of financial statements, management reports, and supporting schedules in accordance with applicable accounting standards and Firm requirements.

•    Review subledger accounts, including accounts receivable, work in process, and accounts payable, to ensure accurate and timely reconciliations.

•    Analyze financial results and provide clear commentary regarding significant variances, trends, risks, and business performance.

•    Partner with the Firmwide Finance team to support regional and global financial reporting requirements.

•    Coordinate statutory audits and year-end reporting processes with external auditors and internal stakeholders.

•    Manage relationships with external accounting firms, regulators, government authorities, and other professional advisors.

•    Monitor developments in local accounting, tax, and regulatory requirements and communicate potential impacts to Finance leadership.

•    Support timely preparation, review, approval, and filing of statutory financial statements, regulatory returns, and other required filings.

•    Maintain complete and accurate financial records and supporting documentation in accordance with Firm requirements and local regulations.

•    Lead internal and external audit responses, including schedule preparation, supporting documentation, and stakeholder coordination.

•    Ensure audit findings, control observations, and recommendations are evaluated, documented, and resolved in a timely manner.

•    Provide timely, accurate financial information and actionable insights to management.

•    Partner with management in the preparation and submission of annual budgets and periodic forecasts for the Middle East offices.

•    Monitor operating expenses and provide regular budget-to-actual and forecast variance reporting, including recommendations for corrective action when appropriate.

•    Provide guidance to budget holders and staff regarding expense classification, financial policies, and budget accountability.

•    Prepare ad hoc financial analyses to support operational and strategic decision-making.

•    Maintain effective internal financial controls to ensure appropriate approvals, segregation of duties, accurate financial reporting, and protection of Firm assets.

•    Identify and implement opportunities to strengthen accounting processes, reporting, controls, and operational efficiency.

•    Support finance system implementations, upgrades, and process standardization initiatives.

•    Assist with internal control reviews, risk assessments, and compliance initiatives.

•    Lead, develop, and train regional accounting staff, as applicable, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and succession planning.

•    Build effective relationships across Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, office leadership, partners, and administrative teams.

•    Serve as a trusted finance business partner to Middle East office leadership and Firmwide Finance management.

•    Collaborate with global Finance teams to align regional practices with Firmwide standards.

•    Perform other duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

•    Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

•    Professional accounting qualification such as CPA, ACCA, ACA, CA, or an equivalent internationally recognized credential.

•    Minimum of seven years of progressive accounting, audit, and finance experience, including experience managing complex accounting and reporting responsibilities.

•    Prior audit or advisory experience with a Big 4 accounting firm is preferred.

•    Professional services experience is required; experience within a global law firm, consulting firm, accounting firm, or other partnership-based organization is strongly preferred.

•    Experience supporting a multinational organization with international operations and multiple legal entities.

•    Strong knowledge of financial reporting, internal controls, audit requirements, statutory accounting, financial close processes, and applicable international accounting standards.

•    Knowledge of accounting, tax, and compliance requirements in the UAE and one or more additional Middle East jurisdictions is preferred.

•    Demonstrated leadership skills, including problem solving, planning, organization, coaching, time management, and decision-making.

•    Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships across the organization and cultures.

•    Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience with Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.

•    Working knowledge of Aderant or another professional services financial management system is preferred.

The Firm offers a generous total compensation package with annual bonus in recognition of individual merit-based performance.

King & Spalding LLP (K&S) is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees in full compliance with all local laws prohibiting discrimination, including on the basis of race, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy status or any other status protected by applicable law. 

We are proud of our remarkably cohesive culture, which now encompasses more than 2,500 lawyers and business professionals worldwide. We seek to attract and develop the very best talent to work with us.