Finance Manager

Summary:

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

We are looking for a Finance Manager whose responsibility will be for the Gibson Dunn Riyadh law firm and the KSA RHQ finance function and the finance team members. An active member of the Middle East and larger EMEA finance team, providing support and advice to other offices as required.

This role reports to the Head of Finance, EMEA and the Riyadh Director of Administration for local matters. Liaise with and take instructions from the Los Angeles (“LA”) finance team.

Responsibilities include:

Tax & VAT (in liaison with the Firm’s internal tax team) – Riyadh Law Firm and KSA RHQ

• Prepare and submit monthly/quarterly VAT reports and supporting documentation to a Firm appointed tax advisor. Check and approve the prepared VAT return workings prior to submission of final figures to the Saudi tax authorities. Arrange payment/repayment of the monthly VAT liability. Ensure the Firm is KSA VAT compliant in all respects.
• Liaise with the internal tax team and external advisors to extract and prepare financial statements and reports required to prepare IFRS format tax accounts suitable for audit. Arrange for final accounts to receive a statutory audit by a Firm appointed auditor.
• Manage the filing of final approved accounts with ZATCA. Deal with queries raised by the tax advisor/auditors and any subsequent enquiries raised by ZATCA. Supervise the production of related tax returns by our external advisors and also local Transfer Pricing documentation, as appropriate.
• Manage the Riyadh office partnership and Zakat tax payments and ensure payment is made by the due date. Check the final tax payments to the Firm’s tax accounts and pay as required. Handle any related correspondence and tax demands. Ensure all tax entries are properly recorded in the Firm’s general ledger.
• Manage the Riyadh office Withholding Tax Returns; raising reports and filing Returns as necessary, liaising with the external tax advisors for production and filing of Returns and ensuring any liability is paid by the due date.
• Oversee local or regional tax projects and initiatives under the direction of, or in collaboration with the internal tax department. Meet with internal tax team members periodically and discharge requests in a timely manner.

General Ledger

• Monitor the Riyadh general ledger entries. Prepare reconciliations for designated bank accounts and key control accounts (e.g., payroll, VAT, withholding tax) and arrange for bank reconciliations to be independently reviewed. Address any queries arising and submit reclass journals to the LA finance team as required.

Payroll

• Assist the Riyadh Director of Operations with processing the Riyadh payroll, including calculating and setting up the net salary payments. Submit the monthly payroll journal and attorney pay report to the LA finance department. Arrange prompt payment of the GOSI and SENAD payroll deductions through the Emburse approval system.

Accounts Receivable

• Supervise the checking of the Riyadh bank accounts daily. Oversee the posting of receipts in the Aderant accounting system. Prepare/submit receipt reports for interested parties.

Treasury

• Manage the Riyadh office and RHQ cash flows and provide regular forecasts to the LA treasury team. Request periodic funding transfers in line with internal loan agreements.
• Control and replenish the Riyadh office petty cash float. Prepare regular counts and reconciliations. Supervise the posting of petty cash expenses incurred monthly.

Billing (System: Aderant)

• Supervise the preparation of pre-bills for the Riyadh office (and other GDC offices when needed) at the beginning of each month and upon request. Ensure final bills are sent out to clients in a timely manner and in accordance with Firm policies and local tax and VAT rules.
• Oversee the submission of e-bills in coordination with the LA e-billing team. Supervise the loading of e-invoices into the Edicom platform. Send out final KSA invoices using the Edicom electronic billing system, ensuring these are ZATCA compliant where applicable and appropriate Arabic translations have been carried out. Tie the monthly law firm VAT Returns to the Edicom invoice submission reports.

Accounts Payable/Expenses (System: Chrome River/Aderant)

• Oversee the checking of A/P invoices and Expense claims submitted on Emburse by Riyadh personnel for accuracy, VAT/tax validity, and compliance with Firm policy.
• Manage the payment of approved invoices and expense claims by bank transfer and supervise the submission of supporting documentation to internal approvers/releasors.

Other

• Monitor the Law Firm and KSA RHQ Service Agreements, alongside other KSA managers and ensure both entities are operating within the agreements, from a finance perspective.
• Prepare financial and time reports on request, utilizing Aderant Expert and Excel to provide reports in a suitable format. Liaise with the LA reporting team to prepare larger and more complex reports as required by the partners.
• Participate in weekly partner meetings and deal with partner enquiries. Undertake financial projects and initiatives delegated to you by the partners.
• Take part in monthly meetings with the Finance Manager (ME) and with the Director of Administration Riyadh as required. Participate in other inter-office meetings and Firm training sessions on request.
• Provide work cover for other offices as required and manage weekend on-demand cover for the Riyadh partners during the year-end push (Sep-Dec).

Apart from the duties summarised herein, the position may include other duties as assigned by the Head of Finance, EMEA, the Riyadh Director of Administration and other senior Firm personnel.

Qualifications:

• Must be fluent in Arabic and English.
• Good working knowledge of KSA VAT & WHT requirements plus an understanding of the Zakat levy, Sharia principles and compliance and the local tax rules applicable to business expenditure in Saudi Arabia.
• Good professional knowledge of IFRS accounts and the audit of professional services firms.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, prioritise. Be innovative, organised and have a keen eye for detail.
• Must be able to communicate well, both verbally and in writing, and deal professionally with people at all levels.
• Ideally, a working knowledge of Aderant Expert or another professional services firm software.
• Proficient in all Microsoft office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Ability to work under pressure with frequent interruptions and tight deadlines.
• Must use sound judgment. Be diplomatic, professional and courteous.

Experience:

• Experience of working in a similar role with a professional services firm with multiple branch offices (US preferred), and ideally a background in practice (e.g. audit/tax).

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.