Accountant

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned business.

The Role: The Accountant is responsible for supporting the MENA and India business from a holistic management accounts, statutory accounts, and tax compliance perspective. The role will be focused on the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Jordan and will require a solid understanding of taxation (direct and indirect). We would also expect that this role will have some interaction with our other offices across the network. These may change according to the business requirements.

The role is based in Dubai with travel to other offices as needed.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure that all accounting processes are operating effectively for the assigned entities;


• Oversee each entities’ balance sheets, ensuring accuracy and that all accounts are understood and reconciled each month;


• Support all audits, both internally from corporate and externally from tax agencies for assigned offices;


• Ensure that statutory accounts and tax returns are produced in a timely and accurate fashion;


• Coordinate the preparation of all required tax returns for VAT, payroll and other regional taxes with the local accounting team;


• Reconcile the statutory accounts to the management accounts for assigned entities;


• Support with the forthcoming roll out of corporate income tax in the UAE


• Assist in the preparation of transfer pricing studies and benchmarking


• Determine tax savings and recommend strategies to improve profits.


• Evaluate tax regulations and suggest policies that minimise tax burden


• Work closely with the tax consultants in different geographies and co-ordinate on the local requirements.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or relevant field.


• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in finance and accounting.


• Prior experience with VAT, corporate income tax and transfer pricing


• Exposure to dealing with external auditors and tax authorities


• Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical skills.


• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, fluent in English. Arabic a distinct plus.


• Must already be based in Dubai.


• Systems literate and very good with Excel; Knowledge and experience


• Ability to deal with high volume email traffic and respond in a timely manner.


• Able to quickly assimilate information and provide output


• Critical thinking


• Ready for a challenge

ABOUT APCO:

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication and business strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO combines a global perspective with local expertise to help clients around the world manage challenges, opportunities, perceptions and reputations. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned business.

APCO Worldwide, named one of the Best Agencies to Work For in North America by PRovoke Media for four consecutive years and a 2020 Top Places to Work in PR by PRNews, offers a collegial work environment, countless training and development opportunities