Finance Manager

About the role

The is responsible for the complete financial management of the Gibson Dunn Riyadh law firm and serving as the finance leader for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regional headquarters. This role requires an active partnership with the broader Middle East and larger EMEA finance network to deliver strategic support and advice to other offices as situations demand. The position operates under the guidance of the Head of Finance for EMEA and the local Riyadh Director of Administration, while also taking direction from the Los Angeles finance team to ensure global standards are met. The successful hire will own the oversight of all financial processes, ensuring alignment with the firm's global policies and local regulatory obligations. This includes driving operational excellence and maintaining robust financial controls across the Riyadh office. The role demands a proactive approach to financial reporting, treasury management, and compliance within a sophisticated international legal environment. Ultimately, the Finance Manager will act as a critical financial steward, safeguarding the firm's assets and enabling sustainable growth in the Saudi market.

Key facts

What you'll do

Supervise the preparation and accuracy of monthly and quarterly VAT reports and supporting documentation for submission to the Firm's appointed tax advisor, ensuring filings are precise and compliant with Saudi regulations.

Arrange and oversee the payment or repayment of monthly VAT liabilities, maintaining strict adherence to filing deadlines and cash flow requirements for the Riyadh office.

Liaise continuously with the internal tax team and external advisors to extract, compile, and prepare financial statements and reports necessary for IFRS format tax accounts suitable for statutory audit.

Manage the relationship with the Firm's appointed auditor, coordinating the arrangement of the annual statutory audit for the Riyadh financials and ensuring all final accounts meet audit standards.

Oversee the filing of final approved accounts with the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (ZATCA) and manage all subsequent queries from tax advisors or auditors.

Supervise the production of local Transfer Pricing documentation and other relevant tax reports, coordinating closely with external advisors to ensure timely delivery.

Manage the Riyadh office partnership and Zakat tax calculations and payments, verifying accuracy and ensuring these critical payments are executed by the due date without delay.

Check all final tax payments related to the Firm's tax accounts and authorize payments as required under the terms of tax obligations.

Handle all related correspondence and official tax demands received by the Riyadh office, ensuring timely and appropriate responses are documented and actioned.

Ensure all tax entries are meticulously recorded in the Firm's general ledger, maintaining clear audit trails and supporting data integrity.

Monitor the Riyadh general ledger with rigorous oversight, preparing detailed reconciliations for key control accounts such as bank accounts, payroll, VAT, and withholding tax.

Arrange for bank reconciliations to be independently reviewed and address any discrepancies or queries that arise during the reconciliation process.

Supervise the processing of the Riyadh payroll, including the calculation of net salary payments and the setup of payroll elements, in collaboration with the Riyadh Director of Operations.

Submit the monthly payroll journal and attorney pay report to the Los Angeles finance department, ensuring data is delivered accurately and within established timelines.

Manage the Riyadh office cash flows and provide regular forecasting to the LA treasury team, including the requestion of periodic funding transfers in line with internal loan agreements.

Control and replenish the Riyadh office petty cash float, conducting regular counts and reconciliations to safeguard against discrepancies and ensure financial security.

Supervise the posting of petty cash expenses incurred monthly, ensuring all transactions are properly categorized and recorded.

Oversee the checking of Riyadh bank accounts on a daily basis, ensuring all transactions are accurately captured and reconciled.

Oversee the posting of receipts in the Aderant accounting system, ensuring all financial transactions are correctly logged and accessible for reporting.

Prepare and submit receipt reports for interested parties, maintaining transparency and timely communication regarding financial activities.

Supervise the preparation of pre-bills for the Riyadh office and other Global Development Center offices when required, ensuring billing accuracy and compliance.

Ensure final bills are sent to clients in a timely manner, adhering strictly to Firm policies and all local tax and VAT rules governing legal billing.

Oversee the submission of electronic bills in coordination with the Los Angeles e-billing team, ensuring a smooth and efficient billing workflow.

Supervise the loading of e-invoices into the Edicom system, ensuring that all electronic billing processes are completed accurately and securely.

Oversee local or regional tax projects and initiatives under the direction of the internal tax department, providing subject matter expertise and execution.

Meet periodically with internal tax team members to discharge requests for information or analysis, responding diligently and in a timely manner.

Requirements

Eligible candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related quantitative field.

Candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of at least seven years of progressive experience in finance, with a minimum of five years specifically within a law firm environment.

Applicants must hold a current professional accounting certification, such as CPA, ACCA, or CIMA, or possess equivalent recognized qualifications.

The successful candidate must have extensive experience managing VAT and indirect tax compliance processes within the Saudi Arabian market.

Proficiency in managing and reconciling complex general ledger accounts is mandatory, with a strong focus on balance sheet reconciliation disciplines.

Candidates must have significant experience in payroll processing, specifically within the context of Saudi Arabian payroll regulations and statutory deductions.

A deep understanding of Saudi Arabian tax regulations, including Zakat and Withholding Tax obligations, is an essential prerequisite for this role.

Experience in preparing financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is required.

Candidates must be highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel and possess intermediate to advanced skills in financial modeling and data analysis.

Nice to have

Prior experience working within a global law firm environment is strongly preferred.

Experience with the Aderant billing and accounting software is highly desirable.

Familiarity with the Gibson Dunn global finance policies and procedures is advantageous.

Knowledge of the Edicom e-billing platform is a significant benefit.

Practical notes

This role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Employees in this role may be required to travel up to 25% of the time.

Candidates must obtain a valid Saudi work visa to be eligible for this position.

The start date is contingent upon visa approval and background check completion.