Summary
Saudi Gold Refinery is seeking a Payroll Accountant in Riyadh to process monthly payroll for its refining and corporate workforce. The role covers attendance and overtime validation, statutory submissions, payroll reconciliations, journal entries, employee data, audit support, and final settlements. Applicants need a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field and at least three years of payroll accounting experience in Saudi Arabia. Knowledge of Saudi labor regulations, GOSI, WPS, Excel, and HRIS or ERP systems is required; English fluency and working Arabic proficiency are also required.
The posting
As published on careers-page.com. Pulled from the employer's site and shown as they wrote it.
Payroll Accountant - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
About Saudi Gold Refinery
Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company specialized in the refining of gold and precious metals, bullion production, and value-added precious-metal services. Operating within the Kingdom's mining value chain, SGR is aligned to the Vision 2030 mining pillar and to the regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) and applicable Saudi and international standards. We produce responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, operate to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned quality standards, and invest in the people, processes, and controls behind every bar we produce.
Role Overview
Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is seeking a Payroll Accountant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to manage the accurate and timely processing of payroll for our refining and corporate workforce. This role ensures strict compliance with Saudi labor laws, GOSI regulations, and Wage Protection System requirements while maintaining precise financial records. The successful candidate will handle complex compensation elements including shift differentials and overtime for plant operations staff.
The Payroll Accountant will report directly to the Payroll Supervisor and will play a key role in maintaining the integrity of our payroll data and statutory filings. This position requires a disciplined approach to monthly closing cycles and proactive management of government portal submissions to support SGR's operational continuity.
Key Responsibilities
The Payroll Accountant will be responsible for the following key areas:
Payroll Execution
The role executes monthly payroll cycles by validating attendance, shift allowances, and overtime for plant and office employees to ensure accurate net pay calculations.
Statutory Compliance
This position manages all statutory filings including GOSI subscriptions, Mudad wage protection uploads, and ZATCA reports in strict adherence to regulatory deadlines.
Financial Reconciliation
The accountant reconciles payroll bank transfers with general ledger entries and prepares monthly journal entries for salaries, accruals, and provisions.
Data Management
The role maintains employee master data integrity within the HRIS system and ensures alignment with employment contracts and visa statuses tracked in Muqeem.
Audit Support
This position provides detailed payroll journals, variance analyses, and supporting documentation to facilitate smooth internal and external audit processes.
Employee Inquiries
The accountant responds to employee queries regarding payslips, deductions, and end-of-service benefits with factual accuracy and professional discretion.
Process Improvement
The role identifies opportunities to streamline payroll workflows and reduce manual adjustments through better data validation and system utilization.
Offboarding Settlements
This position calculates final settlements for departing employees, including pro-rated salaries, unused leave encashment, and end-of-service benefits.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field from an accredited institution.
- At least three years of payroll accounting experience in Saudi Arabia, preferably in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Saudi Labor Law, GOSI rules, and Wage Protection System (WPS) mechanisms.
- Advanced Excel skills including the use of pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and logical functions for data analysis.
- Experience with HRIS and ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or local Saudi payroll platforms.
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and maintain accuracy during high-pressure monthly closing periods.
- Fluency in English is required, with working proficiency in Arabic for navigating government portals.
- Strong understanding of internal controls and confidentiality principles in financial operations.
Preferred / Nice-to-have
- Professional certification in HR or Payroll such as CIPD, SHRM-CP, or PHRi.
- Prior experience in the mining, metals, or heavy industry sector with shift-based workforce management.
- Demonstrated track record of supporting successful external audits with minimal findings.
- Familiarity with ZATCA e-invoicing requirements and their application to service providers.
Success Metrics
- Zero errors in monthly salary disbursements and bank transfer files.
- 100% on-time submission of GOSI and Mudad files within regulatory windows.
- Monthly payroll reconciliation completed within three days of period end.
- Employee payroll inquiries resolved within two business days on average.
- Zero penalties or compliance breaches related to wage protection or social insurance.
- Accurate monthly accruals for end-of-service benefits and leave liabilities.
- Successful completion of annual external audit with no major payroll findings.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Hiring decisions are made based on role requirements, skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.