Accountant Resume Example for Jobs in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

Accountant Job Market in Riyadh

Riyadh's accounting job market is one of the most dynamic in the GCC, shaped by Saudi Arabia's sweeping economic transformation under Vision 2030. The Kingdom's efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil have created a massive expansion in sectors like tourism, entertainment, manufacturing, and financial services — each requiring robust accounting and financial reporting functions. The Saudi capital is now home to thousands of new businesses, from mega-projects like NEOM and The Red Sea Development Company to a burgeoning SME sector supported by government incentives.

The regulatory landscape for accountants in Saudi Arabia is distinct from the UAE and adds complexity that drives demand. The Zakat, Tax and Income Authority (ZATCA, formerly GAZT) oversees Zakat obligations for Saudi-owned companies, corporate income tax for foreign-owned entities, and the Kingdom-wide 15% VAT. The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA) sets local accounting standards and auditing requirements. Accountants working in Riyadh must navigate this layered regulatory environment, which includes IFRS adoption with Saudi-specific modifications, Zakat calculations that differ fundamentally from Western tax concepts, and transfer pricing regulations that are still evolving.

The introduction of e-invoicing (Fatoorah) requirements by ZATCA has created additional demand for accountants who understand the intersection of technology and compliance. Phase 2 of the e-invoicing mandate requires real-time reporting integration between company systems and ZATCA's platform, driving demand for accountants with ERP system expertise. The upcoming implementation of the Global Minimum Tax (Pillar Two) for large multinationals operating in Saudi Arabia is expected to further increase demand for international tax expertise in Riyadh.

The mandatory requirements of the Headquarters Program, which compels multinational companies seeking Saudi government contracts to establish regional headquarters in the Kingdom by 2024, has brought a wave of global companies to Riyadh. Each new regional headquarters requires accounting, finance, and tax staff, creating a structural increase in demand that will persist for years as these operations mature and expand.

Why Riyadh for Accountant Careers

Riyadh offers accountants a unique combination of financial incentives, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to participate in one of the world's most ambitious economic transformations. Saudi Arabia has zero personal income tax for employees, meaning your entire salary is take-home pay. Combined with a cost of living that is 20-30% lower than Dubai for equivalent lifestyle standards, Riyadh offers accountants exceptional saving potential.

The professional growth trajectory in Riyadh is accelerated by the sheer volume of new regulatory requirements, business formations, and mega-project financial reporting needs. An accountant in Riyadh will gain experience with Zakat calculations, Saudi-specific IFRS applications, ZATCA compliance, and often multi-country reporting for businesses with GCC-wide operations. This breadth of experience is highly valued by employers across the Middle East and internationally.

The Big Four firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) have all expanded their Riyadh offices significantly, making the city their largest or second-largest Middle East hub. This expansion means more opportunities for career progression, international secondments, and specialization in areas like forensic accounting, transaction advisory, and regulatory consulting.

Riyadh's quality of life has improved dramatically, with new entertainment venues, international restaurants, cultural events, and sporting attractions. The city's suburban-style living with spacious villas and compounds, combined with affordable domestic help and family-oriented community life, makes it particularly attractive for accountants relocating with families.

Top Employers Hiring Accountants in Riyadh

Saudi National Bank (SNB) — formed from the merger of NCB and Samba Financial Group, SNB is the largest bank in Saudi Arabia and one of the largest in the Middle East. Their Riyadh headquarters employs a substantial accounting function covering financial reporting, regulatory compliance, treasury accounting, and Zakat calculations for a bank with assets exceeding SAR 900 billion.

Al Rajhi Bank — the world's largest Islamic bank by market capitalization, Al Rajhi requires accountants with expertise in Islamic finance accounting standards (AAOIFI), which add a layer of complexity beyond conventional IFRS. Working with Murabaha, Ijara, and Sukuk transactions provides unique accounting experience found almost nowhere else.

Deloitte KSA — the largest professional services firm in Saudi Arabia, Deloitte's Riyadh office has grown to over 1,500 professionals. They are a major employer of newly qualified accountants and offer structured career paths in audit, tax (including Zakat advisory), consulting, and financial advisory.

Saudi Aramco — while headquartered in Dhahran, Aramco has significant financial and accounting operations in Riyadh related to its downstream businesses, subsidiaries, and the massive NEOM and entertainment sector investments. Accounting roles at Aramco offer exceptional benefits and job security.

Riyad Bank — a major Saudi bank with a growing digital banking arm, Riyad Bank requires accountants across financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and internal audit. They offer good benefits and a more moderate pace compared to the Big Four.

Vision 2030 entities — organizations like the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Tourism Authority, Ministry of Investment, and new sector-specific entities like the Entertainment Authority all require experienced accountants for financial management, budgeting, and reporting on multi-billion SAR investment portfolios.

City-Specific Resume Tips

Feature SOCPA membership or awareness. The Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants is the local professional body, and SOCPA fellowship or membership demonstrates commitment to the Saudi market. If you have completed SOCPA exams or attended SOCPA-accredited training, highlight this prominently. Even mentioning familiarity with SOCPA standards signals market awareness.

Highlight Zakat knowledge. Zakat accounting is unique to Saudi Arabia and the GCC and is a critical skill that many international accountants lack. If you have experience calculating Zakat base, preparing Zakat returns, or managing ZATCA audits, this should feature prominently. Even theoretical knowledge from studying for SOCPA or ACCA (with Saudi modules) demonstrates valuable expertise.

Detail VAT and e-invoicing experience. Saudi Arabia's 15% VAT and the Fatoorah e-invoicing system are central to daily accounting work. Experience with ZATCA's e-invoicing integration, VAT return filing, and managing VAT on imports/exports is essential. Mention specific ERP systems you have used for ZATCA compliance integration.

Include Arabic language skills. While English is widely used in multinational companies and Big Four firms, Arabic proficiency is more important in Riyadh than in Dubai. Government clients, local banks, and ZATCA communications are often in Arabic. Even intermediate Arabic skills significantly expand your job opportunities and should be highlighted.

Mention Saudization awareness. Some accounting roles are increasingly reserved for Saudi nationals, particularly in banking and government sectors. As an expatriate accountant, highlighting specialized skills (international tax, transfer pricing, IFRS implementation) that are less commonly available locally strengthens your candidacy.

Show Islamic finance knowledge. Many major Riyadh employers operate under Islamic finance principles. If you have experience with AAOIFI standards, Sharia-compliant product accounting, or Islamic banking transactions, include this on your resume.

Salary Expectations in Riyadh

Accountant salaries in Riyadh are competitive and have risen notably as Vision 2030 spending increases financial sector activity. Packages typically include more generous allowances than Dubai equivalents.

Junior Accountant (0-2 years): SAR 5,000-9,000 per month. Entry-level positions are more accessible for Saudi nationals, but expatriates with recognized qualifications can find roles, especially with Big Four firms.

Qualified Accountant (3-6 years, CPA/ACCA/SOCPA): SAR 10,000-20,000 per month. Qualified accountants with Saudi regulatory experience (Zakat, VAT) command the higher end. Tax specialists can push beyond this range.

Senior Accountant / Finance Manager (7-10 years): SAR 18,000-32,000 per month. Senior roles at banks, Big Four, or major corporates. Islamic finance expertise and Zakat advisory skills command premiums.

Financial Controller / CFO (10+ years): SAR 30,000-55,000+ per month. These leadership roles at large companies include substantial benefits packages and performance bonuses.

Riyadh benefits packages often surpass Dubai in total value. Expect furnished housing or housing allowances (SAR 4,000-12,000 monthly), annual return flights for employee and family, children's education allowances (SAR 30,000-60,000 annually), private health insurance for the family, and 30 days annual leave. Some employers, particularly banks and government-linked entities, offer compound-style accommodation with recreational facilities.

Work Culture in Riyadh

Working hours — Sunday to Thursday, typically 8 AM to 5 PM for corporate roles and 8:30 AM to 6 PM for Big Four firms. During Ramadan, hours reduce to approximately 6 hours per day. Audit season (January-April) brings extended hours similar to global Big Four practice. Saudi labor law mandates that weekly working hours should not exceed 48 hours (40 during Ramadan).

Hierarchy and relationships — Riyadh's business culture is more hierarchical than Dubai's. Decisions often flow from senior management, and building trust with supervisors and colleagues takes time. Accountants should expect more formal reporting structures and should show respect for seniority. Relationship-building through social interactions (coffee meetings, group lunches) is important for career advancement.

Gender considerations — the Saudi workplace has become significantly more inclusive since 2018, and women now represent a growing percentage of the accounting workforce, including in public practice. Mixed-gender workplaces are standard in the private sector, though some cultural norms around social interaction differ from Western practices.

Audit firm culture — Big Four firms in Riyadh mirror their global counterparts in terms of work intensity during busy season. However, the Riyadh offices often have a stronger community feel, with team events, sports leagues, and social activities more common than in larger Western offices. The international diversity is notable, with accountants from over 40 nationalities working together.

Visa & Work Permit Guide

The Saudi work visa (Iqama) process for accountants follows the standard employment visa procedures, with some profession-specific requirements.

Qualification verification — accounting qualifications must be attested by your home country's foreign ministry and the Saudi Embassy. SOCPA may require verification of international qualifications (CPA, ACCA, CA) for certain roles, particularly in public accounting. Ensure your professional membership certificates are current and available.

SOCPA registration — while not mandatory for all accounting roles, SOCPA registration is required for auditors signing audit reports in Saudi Arabia. If you plan to work in public practice, you will need to register with SOCPA, which may require passing local qualifying exams.

Professional license — certain accounting and financial advisory roles require a professional license from SOCPA or the Capital Market Authority (CMA, Saudi Arabia's securities regulator). Your employer will guide you through these requirements if applicable.

Saudization impact — the Nitaqat system applies to accounting roles, and companies must maintain minimum Saudi staffing ratios. This may affect your visa processing timeline if the company needs to balance its Saudization ratios. Specialized roles (international tax, transfer pricing) have more flexibility for expatriate hiring.

Riyadh-Tailored Accountant Resume Section

Professional Summary

ACCA and SOCPA-qualified Accountant with 6+ years of experience in financial reporting, Zakat compliance, and VAT management across Saudi Arabia's banking and corporate sectors. Currently based in Riyadh with a valid Saudi Iqama. Specialized in IFRS reporting with Saudi-specific modifications, ZATCA e-invoicing integration, and Zakat base calculations for complex group structures. Experienced in managing financial consolidation for multi-entity organizations spanning Saudi mainland and free zone operations. Proficient in SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Financials, and ZATCA's Fatoorah platform. Conversational Arabic speaker with strong cross-cultural communication skills developed through 6 years in the Kingdom.

Work Experience

Senior Accountant — Al Rajhi Bank (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

May 2022 – Present

• Prepare quarterly and annual financial statements under IFRS and AAOIFI standards for the world's largest Islamic bank, with total assets exceeding SAR 750 billion, ensuring dual-compliance with SAMA (Saudi Central Bank) and AAOIFI reporting requirements
• Managed the implementation of ZATCA's Phase 2 e-invoicing requirements across Al Rajhi's vendor payment system, integrating SAP with ZATCA's Fatoorah platform for real-time invoice reporting of 45,000+ monthly transactions
• Lead the annual Zakat return preparation and ZATCA audit coordination, managing a Zakat base of SAR 85 billion and successfully defending Zakat positions worth SAR 120 million in disputed assessments
• Developed automated reconciliation workflows for Islamic finance products (Murabaha, Ijara, Tawarruq), reducing manual reconciliation effort by 55% and eliminating SAR 3.2 million in historical unreconciled differences
• Coordinate with PwC external auditors during the annual audit, managing 300+ audit queries and contributing to unqualified audit opinions for three consecutive years

Audit Senior — Deloitte KSA (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

August 2019 – April 2022

• Led statutory audit engagements for 8 Saudi corporate clients across manufacturing, retail, and financial services sectors, with combined revenues exceeding SAR 12 billion annually
• Conducted Zakat and income tax provision reviews for multinational clients, identifying SAR 8.5 million in Zakat optimization opportunities through proper application of allowable deductions and ZATCA administrative guidelines
• Managed the VAT compliance review for a major Saudi retail chain (450+ stores), identifying SAR 2.8 million in input VAT recovery opportunities related to construction of new outlets and import duty adjustments
• Mentored 4 Saudi national audit associates as part of Deloitte's Saudization program, providing on-the-job training in audit methodology, IFRS application, and ZATCA regulatory requirements