Finance Manager

Role Overview

Finance Manager at Gibson Dunn, a leading global law firm. Based in Riyadh, this role manages the Gibson Dunn Riyadh law firm and KSA RHQ finance function, reporting to the Head of Finance, EMEA and the Riyadh Director of Administration for local matters.

Company Overview

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. The firm's work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision, with exceptional teams that craft and deploy creative legal strategies tailored to complex and high-stakes matters.

Role Purpose

Manage all finance operations for the Riyadh office and KSA RHQ, including tax compliance, general ledger, payroll, accounts receivable, treasury, billing, and accounts payable. Act as an active member of the Middle East and larger EMEA finance team, providing support and advice to other offices as required and liaising with the Los Angeles finance team.

Key Responsibilities

Tax & VAT Compliance

• Prepare and submit monthly and quarterly VAT reports and supporting documentation to the Firm's appointed tax advisor.
• Check and approve VAT return workings prior to submission of final figures to Saudi tax authorities.
• Arrange payment and repayment of monthly VAT liability.
• Ensure the Firm is KSA VAT compliant in all respects.
• Liaise with internal tax team and external advisors to extract and prepare financial statements and reports in IFRS format suitable for audit.
• Arrange for final accounts to receive statutory audit by a Firm appointed auditor.
• Manage filing of final approved accounts with ZATCA.
• Deal with queries raised by tax advisors, auditors, and any subsequent enquiries raised by ZATCA.
• Supervise production of tax returns by external advisors and local Transfer Pricing documentation as appropriate.
• Manage Riyadh office partnership and Zakat tax payments and ensure payment by due date.
• Check final tax payments to the Firm's tax accounts and pay as required.
• Handle related correspondence and tax demands.
• Ensure all tax entries are properly recorded in the Firm's general ledger.
• Manage Riyadh office Withholding Tax Returns, raising reports and filing Returns as necessary.
• Liaise with external tax advisors for production and filing of Returns and ensure any liability is paid by due date.
• Oversee local or regional tax projects and initiatives under 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 Riyadh general ledger entries.
• Prepare reconciliations for designated bank accounts and key control accounts including payroll, VAT, and withholding tax.
• 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 Riyadh Director of Operations with processing Riyadh payroll, including calculating and setting up net salary payments.
• Submit monthly payroll journal and attorney pay report to LA finance department.
• Arrange prompt payment of GOSI and SENAD payroll deductions through the Emburse approval system.

Accounts Receivable

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

Treasury

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

Billing

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

Accounts Payable & Expenses

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

Reporting & Projects

• Monitor Law Firm and KSA RHQ Service Agreements alongside other KSA managers and ensure both entities operate within agreements from a finance perspective.
• Prepare financial and time reports on request using Aderant Expert and Excel.
• Liaise with LA reporting team to prepare larger and more complex reports as required by partners.
• Participate in weekly partner meetings and deal with partner enquiries.
• Undertake financial projects and initiatives delegated by partners.

Governance & Coordination

• Participate in monthly meetings with Finance Manager (ME) and Director of Administration Riyadh as required.
• Participate in inter-office meetings and Firm training sessions on request.
• Provide work cover for other offices as required.
• Manage weekend on-demand cover for Riyadh partners during year-end push (September to December).

Qualifications & Experience

• Fluency in Arabic and English.
• Good working knowledge of KSA VAT and Withholding Tax requirements.
• Understanding of Zakat levy, Sharia principles and compliance, and local tax rules applicable to business expenditure in Saudi Arabia.
• Good professional knowledge of IFRS accounts and audit of professional services firms.
• Experience working in a similar role with a professional services firm with multiple branch offices (US experience preferred).
• Ideally, background in practice such as audit or tax.

Skills & Competencies

• Ability to work independently, solve problems, and prioritize.
• Innovative, organized, with keen eye for detail.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to deal professionally with people at all levels.
• Working knowledge of Aderant Expert or another professional services firm software.
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work under pressure with frequent interruptions and tight deadlines.
• Sound judgment, diplomatic, professional, and courteous demeanor.

Additional Information

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Gibson Dunn is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable participation in the application and recruitment process.