Accounts Payable Accountant

Jop Purpose:

Ensure accurate and timely processing of supplier invoices and settlement transactions across the Procure-to-Pay cycle, maintaining compliant VAT/withholding treatment, robust internal controls, and complete audit-ready documentation. The role safeguards vendor ledger integrity, supports period-end close through reconciliations and GR/IR and advance payment management, and provides actionable AP reporting that enables reliable financial records, uninterrupted supplier support to operations, and controlled working capital.

Job Description:

Operational / Technical / Core Duties

Invoice Verification & Posting

• Verify supplier invoices/credit notes against PO/contract, GR/service entry, and approvals to ensure legitimacy and 3-way match compliance.
• Validate VAT and withholding tax treatment, invoice requirements, and vendor master data for tax-accurate posting.
• Allocate costs correctly to GL accounts, cost centers, WBS/internal orders, and tax codes for accurate reporting and accountability.
• Post invoices in SAP FI within agreed service levels, linking supporting documents to maintain transaction traceability.

Exception Resolution & Query Management

• Investigate invoice holds and discrepancies (missing GR, price/quantity variances, blocked invoices, duplicates) and coordinate corrective actions with Procurement, Warehouse, Logistics, and end users.
• Communicate documentation requirements and correction steps to suppliers for timely resubmission and backlog reduction.
• Maintain exception logs and turnaround tracking to identify recurring root causes and support preventive improvement actions.

Payment Run Preparation & Supplier Service

• Prepare payment packs (invoice listings, approvals, tax support, verified bank details) for approvals in line with Delegation of Authority.
• Support SAP FI payment run activities (proposal review, blocks/releases, payment media, postings) in coordination with Treasury/Banking to meet due dates.
• Provide timely payment status updates, remittance information, and resolve supplier disputes to ensure supply continuity.

Vendor Ledger Management & Period Close Support

• Perform monthly supplier statement reconciliations and clear discrepancies using documented, evidence-based follow-up.
• Monitor GR/IR and unbilled liabilities and coordinate timely clearing and accrual support to strengthen period close accuracy.
• Prepare month-end schedules for AP aging, GR/IR, advances, and key vendor balances to support reporting and management review.

AP Reporting & Data Quality

• Generate and validate AP operational reports (aging, blocked invoices, cycle time, payment status/forecast, GR/IR, advances) using SAP/Excel/Power BI for prioritization and cash planning.
• Apply data integrity checks (duplicate detection, vendor master changes, consistent definitions) and escalate material risks early.

Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) / Compliance Duties

Internal Control & Segregation of Duties

• Apply Procure-to-Pay controls (3-way match, approval evidence, segregation of duties, delegation of authority) and maintain documented control checks.
• Reject or escalate non-compliant invoice/payment requests lacking approved support or conflicting with controls.

Tax, Regulatory & Policy Compliance

• Apply VAT/withholding requirements accurately and retain supporting tax documentation per statutory and company requirements.
• Comply with IFRS and SGM accounting policies for payables, accruals, prepayments, and foreign currency vendor transactions.

Audit Readiness & Records Management

• Maintain secure, indexed electronic filing (and hardcopy where required) for fast retrieval and audit readiness.
• Respond to internal/external audit requests with reconciliations, supporting evidence, and clear explanations, tracking actions to closure.

Information Security, Ethics & Office Safety

• Protect confidential financial data, follow cybersecurity practices, and report suspected fraud, conflicts of interest, or unethical conduct through approved channels.
• Comply with office/site safety requirements (ergonomics, emergency procedures, safe housekeeping) to maintain a safe work environment.

Financial / Budget / Asset / Resource Management Duties

Working Capital & Cash Outflow Discipline

• Support controlled cash outflows by scheduling and processing payments based on due dates, approved terms, and verified support.
• Flag large/urgent payments, tax deadlines, and supplier risk exposures to Treasury and Finance leadership with clear facts and recommendations.

Liability Accuracy & Cost Allocation

• Prevent misstatement of liabilities via timely invoice posting, GR/IR clearing, and accrual support for goods/services received.
• Ensure correct cost coding and capitalization/expense treatment by validating account assignments and supporting documentation.

Loss Prevention & Cost Control

• Detect and prevent duplicate payments, unauthorized price changes, and late-payment penalties through structured checks and escalation.
• Identify process inefficiencies causing rework and propose practical improvements (supplier compliance guidance, workflow automation, paperless processing).

Job Requirements

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent.
• Preferred: Professional finance certification (ACCA, CMA, CPA), IFRS training, SAP FI / P2P process training, advanced Excel and reporting/Power BI skills.

Work Experience

• 3–5 years experience in Accounts Payable or financial accounting, preferably in medium-to-large organizations, heavy industry, or mining.
• Proven experience processing high-volume invoices, supporting payment cycles, and coordinating invoice exceptions across departments.
• Hands-on experience with SAP FI and advanced Excel for reconciliations, aging analysis, and reporting.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• IFRS/accounting principles for payables, accruals, provisions, and other liabilities.
• Procure-to-Pay (P2P) cycle: PO, GR/IR, invoice verification, approvals, and payment controls.
• Tax fundamentals: VAT, withholding tax, and compliant invoice documentation.
• Internal controls: segregation of duties, delegation of authority, audit trail, and document retention.
• Vendor reconciliation, AP reporting, month-end close, and basic foreign currency invoice handling.
• Digital tools: SAP FI, Excel, Power BI, SharePoint/document management, PDF workflows.

Soft Skills & Behaviors

• Analytical thinking and attention to detail: validate data, detect anomalies, and prevent errors.
• Communication & stakeholder management: provide clear status updates, escalate risks professionally, and maintain respectful follow-up.
• Time management & prioritization: manage high-volume workloads, meet deadlines, and track commitments.
• Integrity & compliance mindset: adhere to internal controls, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate ethical conduct.
• Teamwork & collaboration: work effectively with Procurement, Warehouse, and end users; support colleagues during peaks.
• Continuous improvement & digital adoption: suggest workflow enhancements, adopt reporting tools, and reinforce standard processes.

Language Requirements

• Arabic: Professional proficiency for reporting, documentation, and vendor interaction.
• English: Professional proficiency for reporting, documentation, and system use.

Other Requirements

• Ability to manage high transaction volumes under strict deadlines (month-end close, audits).
• Strong business writing and email etiquette for communication with suppliers, stakeholders, and auditors.
• Willingness to support process changes, system enhancements, and workflow automation.