Accountant - F&B / Multi-Outlet Operations

We are looking for a hands-on and commercially minded Accountant with strong experience within the F&B, café, restaurant, or multi-outlet hospitality industry to independently manage the day-to-day finance and accounting function of a growing chain of 10+ coffee shop locations. This is not purely a bookkeeping role. We are looking for someone who understands the financial realities of running multiple F&B outlets from daily sales reconciliation and supplier invoices to procurement controls, inventory, payroll, cash flow, outlet profitability and management reporting. The successful candidate should be comfortable taking ownership of the finance function and working closely with Operations, Procurement, outlet teams, suppliers and management. Key Responsibilities Accounting & Financial Management • Manage the complete accounting cycle across 10+ coffee shop/outlet locations • Maintain accurate books of accounts, general ledger and supporting schedules • Handle accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations and journal entries • Manage month-end and year-end closing activities • Prepare monthly Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow reports • Maintain accurate accruals, prepayments, fixed assets and depreciation schedules • Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning • Prepare management reports highlighting financial performance, variances and areas requiring attention Outlet & F&B Financial Control • Reconcile daily outlet sales across POS systems, cash, credit cards and online/delivery platforms • Monitor outlet-level revenue, costs and profitability • Track food cost, beverage cost, gross margins and cost of goods sold (COGS) • Monitor wastage, stock variances, discounts, complimentary items, voids and other operational leakage • Conduct regular outlet-level financial reviews and identify unusual trends or discrepancies • Produce branch-wise P&L and performance reporting to help management understand which outlets are performing and where corrective action may be required Procurement & Supplier Finance • Work closely with Procurement and Operations to ensure appropriate financial controls over purchasing • Review purchase requisitions, purchase orders, goods received notes and supplier invoices • Ensure proper PO-GRN-Invoice three-way matching before payment • Maintain supplier accounts and perform regular supplier statement reconciliations • Prepare and manage supplier payment schedules • Monitor supplier pricing, credit terms and outstanding balances • Support cost negotiations and identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency and margins Inventory & Cost Control • Work with outlet teams to maintain accurate inventory records • Monitor stock movements, consumption and stock adjustments • Participate in and review periodic physical stock counts • Investigate inventory variances and unusual consumption patterns • Monitor food and beverage costing and identify opportunities to reduce wastage and improve gross margins • Ensure inventory purchases and consumption are correctly reflected within the accounting system Payroll & Employee Cost Management • Prepare and/or review monthly payroll inputs across all outlets • Reconcile attendance, overtime, incentives, deductions and other payroll-related information • Maintain accurate employee cost records • Prepare payroll reconciliations and ensure salaries are processed accurately and on time • Coordinate with HR/Operations regarding employee-related payments, advances, reimbursements and final settlements Cash Flow & Treasury • Monitor daily and weekly cash positions • Prepare short-term cash flow forecasts • Manage petty cash and outlet cash controls • Reconcile bank deposits against outlet collections • Monitor outstanding receivables and supplier payment commitments • Ensure sufficient visibility of upcoming financial obligations Compliance & Audit • Ensure accounting records comply with applicable UAE financial and regulatory requirements • Support VAT and Corporate Tax calculations, reconciliations and filings • Maintain proper financial documentation and audit trails • Coordinate with external auditors, tax consultants and other professional service providers when required • Ensure strong internal financial controls are maintained across all outlets What We Are Looking For • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline • Approximately 5+ years of relevant accounting experience, preferably within the F&B, restaurant, café, coffee shop, hospitality or multi-outlet retail industry • Previous experience managing finance/accounting activities across multiple branches or outlets is strongly preferred • Strong understanding of F&B cost control, inventory, procurement and outlet-level profitability • Experience handling the full accounting cycle independently • Strong knowledge of AP, AR, GL, payroll, inventory accounting, reconciliations, budgeting and management reporting • Good understanding of UAE VAT and Corporate Tax requirements • Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel • Experience with accounting/ERP and POS systems is highly desirable • Strong analytical ability with excellent attention to detail • Able to work independently, take ownership and follow issues through to resolution • Comfortable visiting different outlets and working closely with operational teams • Valid UAE Driving Licence is an added advantage Requirements THE PERSON WE WANT We are looking for someone who goes beyond simply recording transactions. You should understand how an F&B business makes and loses money. You should be able to look at an outlet's numbers and question why food cost has increased, why supplier pricing has changed, why inventory does not reconcile, why payroll costs are above budget, why cash collections do not match POS sales, or why one location is significantly less profitable than another. This role requires someone who is hands-on, commercially aware, detail-oriented and comfortable owning the finance function independently. Industry Experience Candidates currently working or previously experienced within coffee shop chains, restaurant groups, café concepts, QSR, F&B retail or other multi-location hospitality businesses will be strongly preferred. Further details regarding the role and the organization will be discussed with shortlisted candidates. Show more