SGS

General Accountant

Posted 5 Days Ago

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Basra, IRQ

In-Office

Mid level

Information Technology • Professional Services • Security • Consulting

The Role

Manages general accounting activities including month-end closing, accruals, reconciliations, fixed assets, accounts payable and receivable, cash management, payroll entries, taxes, statutory records, and audit support. Coordinates with shared services, banks, suppliers, customers, HR, and business teams to ensure accurate postings, timely payments, billing, collections, reporting, and complete documentation in accordance with Iraqi accounting practices.

Summary Generated by Built In

Company Description

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance, and sustainability.

SGS is looking for a General Accountant to join our Finance team in Iraq. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in general accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, and cash management, along with a good understanding of Iraq accounting practices.

Job Description

Coordinate with the Shared Service Center accounting team on postings and corrections.
Prepare monthly accruals, prepayments, depreciation, and other closing adjustments.
Reconcile balance sheet accounts, investigate discrepancies, and resolve outstanding items.
Maintain fixed asset records, including additions, disposals, and periodic verification.
Complete assigned closing activities within the reporting timetable and maintain supporting schedules.
Submit all invoices to the Shared Service Center for timely booking, ensuring proper supporting documentation.
Ensure correct account coding, cost allocation, and supporting documentation before submission for posting.
Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies.
Prepare weekly payment proposals based on due dates, cash availability, and business priorities.
Prepare and submit a weekly cash report, including a supplier payment plan.
Ensure all required documents and supporting records are in place before payment release.
Monitor advances, deposits, and outstanding supplier balances through to settlement.
Coordinate with business teams to ensure timely billing, supported by contracts, purchase orders, timesheets, and service acceptance documents.
Submit receipts to the Shared Service Center team for posting.
Maintain receivables aging reports and follow up with customers on overdue balances.
Track unbilled revenue and outstanding billing documentation, escalating delays to the Finance Manager.
Allocate customer receipts, reconcile customer accounts, and investigate unidentified payments.
Report collection progress, disputed invoices, and potential recoverability concerns on a weekly basis.
Monitor bank balances and transactions and prepare timely bank reconciliations.
Prepare cash-flow forecasts covering expected collections, payroll, supplier payments, and other commitments.
Prepare bank transfer documentation and coordinate with banks on payment processing and outstanding transactions.
Maintain petty cash records and perform regular reconciliations and cash counts.
Coordinate with HR to verify employee advances, deductions, and expense reimbursements.
Prepare payroll accounting entries and reconcile related balances.
Maintain schedules and supporting documents for applicable taxes, withholding obligations, social security, and statutory reporting.
Maintain complete and organized accounting records and audit trails.
Support internal and external audits and follow up on assigned findings.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
Minimum 3–5 years of relevant accounting experience in Iraq and within a multinational or service-based business.
Practical experience in month-end closing, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management.
Working knowledge of Iraqi accounting practices, banking procedures, and local compliance processes.
Strong Excel skills and experience with accounting or ERP systems; familiarity with Odoo or SunSystems is an advantage.
Professional working proficiency in Arabic and English; Kurdish is an advantage where relevant.
Only candidates from Iraq will be considered.

Skills Required

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline
3-5 years of relevant accounting experience in Iraq
Experience working within a multinational or service-based business
Practical experience in month-end closing, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management
Working knowledge of Iraqi accounting practices, banking procedures, and local compliance processes
Strong Microsoft Excel skills
Experience with accounting or ERP systems
Professional working proficiency in Arabic and English
Candidates must be from Iraq
Familiarity with Odoo or SunSystems
Kurdish language proficiency where relevant

SGS Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SGS and has not been reviewed or approved by SGS.

Healthcare Strength — Core medical, dental, and vision coverage is part of the U.S. package and is generally viewed as adequate even if not standout. Company information also underscores healthcare coverage as a standard element of the offering.
Retirement Support — A 401(k) is commonly included in the U.S., and group disclosures reference post‑employment benefit plans in select regions. These components provide a baseline of retirement security beyond core pay.
Strong & Reliable Incentives — Annual incentive/bonus structures are part of the compensation mix and cited positively in some regions and roles. Punctual pay is also highlighted as a plus.