JOB DESCRIPTION Pharmaceutical Distribution Company

JOB PURPOSE The accountant is responsible for managing and maintaining accurate financial records for the company's pharmaceutical distribution operations. This role ensures full compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax regulations, and internal financial controls, while supporting management with timely and reliable financial information to support sound business decision-making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Maintain the general ledger, journal entries, and trial balances accurately and on time.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement).
• Perform bank reconciliations and inter-company reconciliations on a regular basis.
• Ensure all financial transactions are recorded in compliance with IFRS and local accounting standards.

2. Inventory & Cost Accounting

• Monitor and reconcile pharmaceutical inventory valuations using FIFO or AVCO methods.
• Track and report cost of goods sold (COGS) for all distributed products.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between physical stock counts and system records.
• Process financial write-offs for expired, damaged, recalled, or returned pharmaceutical products in accordance with regulatory requirements.

3. Accounts Payable & Receivable

• Process and verify supplier invoices from pharmaceutical manufacturers, logistics providers, and service vendors.
• Manage customer credit terms, collections, and accounts receivable aging reports (pharmacies, hospitals, clinics).
• Reconcile customer account statements and resolve billing disputes or discrepancies.
• Issue credit notes for product returns, recalls, or pricing adjustments.

4. Tax & Regulatory Compliance

• Prepare and submit VAT returns accurately and within statutory deadlines.
• Calculate withholding tax obligations and ensure timely submission to tax authorities.
• Maintain financial records to meet the requirements of external auditors and regulatory inspections.
• Ensure compliance with all financial obligations imposed by pharmaceutical regulatory authorities.

5. Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Support the preparation of the annual budget and financial forecasts.
• Monitor actual expenditure against budget and prepare variance analysis reports.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to support management decisions on procurement, pricing, and distribution.

6. Internal Controls & Audit

• Implement and monitor internal financial controls over transactions, approvals, and payments.
• Prepare supporting documentation and schedules for internal and external audits.
• Identify and report financial risks related to procurement, distribution, and customer credit exposure.
• Ensure proper authorization levels are maintained for all payments and purchase orders.

7. Payroll & HR Financial Support

• Process monthly payroll including salaries, allowances, deductions, and end-of-service benefits.
• Maintain accurate employee financial records and ensure compliance with labour law financial requirements.

8. Systems & Management Reporting

• Operate and maintain ERP/accounting systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Generate financial reports, dashboards, and KPI tracking relevant to distribution operations.
• Coordinate with the warehouse, procurement, and logistics teams to ensure financial data accuracy.

WORKING CONDITIONS Standard office hours with flexibility required during month-end, quarter-end, and audit periods. Based at the company's head office with occasional visits to distribution centres or warehouses. Subject to applicable employment regulations and company policies. This Job Description is subject to periodic review and may be amended to reflect business requirements.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Professional Certification: CPA, ACCA, CMA, or equivalent (preferred)
• Experience: Minimum 3 - 5 years in accounting, preferably in pharma or FMCG distribution
• Accounting Standards: Solid knowledge of IFRS and local GAAP
• Systems Proficiency: in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel
• Industry Knowledge: Understanding of pharmaceutical supply chain and controlled substance regulations
• Language: English required; Arabic is an advantage
• Technical Competencies: Financial reporting & analysis, Cost and inventory accounting, Tax compliance (VAT, WHT), Audit preparation and support, ERP / accounting software, Budget preparation and control
• Behavioural Competencies: Attention to detail and accuracy, Integrity and professional ethics, Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, Ability to meet deadlines under pressure, Effective communication and teamwork, Proactive and self-motivated approach