Senior Accountant | Chief Accountant | FMCG & Audit Experience | Kuwait

About the Role

White Stores is seeking a highly skilled Senior Accountant / Chief Accountant to lead financial operations and ensure accounting excellence. This role demands a professional with a strong foundation in either Big 4 audit firms or the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector. You will be responsible for managing the full accounting cycle, statutory compliance, and financial reporting for a dynamic retail organization in Kuwait.

Core Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete general ledger process, including month-end and year-end close activities.
• Prepare and review financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) in compliance with IFRS and local regulations.
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, and intercompany reconciliations.
• Lead the preparation of statutory audits and coordinate with external auditors; prior audit firm experience is a distinct advantage.
• Develop and monitor internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure data integrity across finance functions.
• Handle VAT compliance, tax filings, and regulatory reporting specific to Kuwait.
• Analyze financial performance, variances, and KPIs to support strategic decision-making by senior management.
• Supervise and mentor junior accounting staff, ensuring timely and accurate deliverables.
• Drive process improvements and automation initiatives within the finance department (ERP optimization, workflow enhancements).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Professional certification (CPA, CMA, ACCA, or CA) is highly preferred.
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Mandatory background in either Top-tier Audit Firms (Big 4) or the FMCG / Retail industry.
• Deep expertise in IFRS, Kuwaiti GAAP, and local tax/VAT laws.
• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar) and Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, Power Query).
• Proven experience managing full-cycle accounting and leading audit engagements.
• Strong command of English; Arabic proficiency is a plus.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with consolidation across multiple entities or branches.
• Background in inventory accounting, costing, and margin analysis within FMCG/Retail.
• Familiarity with business intelligence tools (Power BI, Tableau) for financial dashboarding.
• Track record of implementing financial controls and SOX compliance frameworks.
• Leadership experience managing a team of 3+ accountants.

What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out

• Strategic Impact: Play a pivotal role in shaping the financial infrastructure of a growing retail brand in Kuwait.
• Industry Exposure: Work at the intersection of retail operations and high-volume transactional accounting.
• Professional Growth: Opportunity to transition into a Finance Controller or CFO-track role.
• Stable Environment: Established organization with a clear vision and investment in finance transformation.
• Location: Based in Kuwait (Al Asimah), offering a professional work culture in the heart of the commercial hub.