Financial Reporting Lead (IFRS Expert)

Role overview

KAUST is seeking a Financial Reporting Lead with deep expertise in IFRS to guide the university’s financial reporting operations and team. This position is accountable for producing accurate and timely financial information, managing group reporting activities, and ensuring compliance with IFRS requirements. The role also provides technical support on complex accounting issues and helps strengthen monthly and annual close, audit readiness, and reporting controls.

Key responsibilities

• Direct the annual and periodic financial close cycles for KAUST.
• Prepare separate as well as consolidated financial statements in line with IFRS.
• Manage consolidation work for the group, including intercompany eliminations and related adjustments.
• Partner with internal and external auditors, prepare supporting schedules, answer queries, and track resolution of audit observations.
• Lead, coach, and grow members of the financial reporting team, including capability development, knowledge sharing, and succession support.
• Offer specialist advice on complex accounting matters across the Finance Division and to other stakeholders.
• Review control account reconciliations and ensure outstanding items are cleared promptly.
• Improve reporting workflows by increasing efficiency, accuracy, automation, and control effectiveness.
• Maintain adherence to internal control standards, accounting policies, procedures, and wider governance expectations.
• Support enhancements to SAP-based reporting and consolidation, along with broader system and automation initiatives.
• Produce management reporting, financial analysis, and other ad hoc reports for senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Carry out additional finance and reporting duties as needed.

Personal requirements

• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and personal accountability.
• Strong focus on accuracy and the ability to meet demanding deadlines.
• Comfort working in a complex, fast-moving, and deadline-sensitive environment.
• Ownership-driven approach with the ability to prioritize and deliver independently.
• Strong collaborator with sound interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities.
• Clear and confident communicator who can work effectively with senior leaders, auditors, and external counterparts.
• Proactive and solution-focused, with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Competencies

• Advanced command of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Practical experience in group reporting, subsidiary oversight, and consolidated financial statements.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, governance structures, and financial reporting best practices.
• Leadership and coaching ability to guide and develop team members.
• Strong analytical thinking and financial interpretation skills.
• Well-developed planning, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Sound professional judgment to support informed decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Completion or partial completion of a recognized professional accounting qualification such as CPA, CMA, ACCA, ACA, or an equivalent credential is required.

Experience

• At least 6 to 8 years of progressive experience in financial accounting and reporting within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated background in group financial reporting and preparing consolidated financial statements.
• Solid experience in month-end and year-end close activities, along with audit coordination.
• Experience working with ERP accounting platforms, preferably SAP.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience supervising or leading team members is strongly preferred.
• Good understanding of accounting principles, business processes, and system workflows.
• Exposure to financial modeling and analysis tools.