Head Accountant

Chief Accountant (Payroll) Location: Doha, Qatar Department: Finance & Accounts Industry: Hospitality / F&B / Restaurant Operations Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Chief Accountant (Payroll) to oversee payroll operations, employee compensation accounting, statutory compliance, and financial reporting across our hospitality and food & beverage businesses. The successful candidate will ensure accurate and timely payroll processing, compliance with Qatar labor regulations, reconciliation of payroll accounts, and the implementation of strong financial controls. This role is ideal for finance professionals from hospitality groups, restaurant chains, catering companies, central kitchens, hotel operations, or large multi-site organizations with strong expertise in SAP ERP systems, payroll accounting, and advanced Excel reporting. Key Responsibilities Payroll Management • Manage end-to-end monthly payroll processing for employees across multiple locations. • Ensure the accurate calculation of salaries, overtime, leave payments, bonuses, deductions, and final settlements. • Review payroll changes including new hires, promotions, transfers, and terminations. • Verify payroll accuracy before submission and payment processing. Financial Accounting & Reconciliation • Prepare payroll journal entries and month-end payroll accruals. • Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts. • Ensure payroll costs are accurately allocated across departments and cost centers. • Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing activities. SAP & Payroll Systems • Manage payroll transactions and reporting through SAP ERP. • Maintain employee master data within SAP. • Generate payroll reports, cost analyses, and management dashboards. • Support ERP enhancements and payroll process improvements. Compliance & Controls • Ensure compliance with Qatar Labor Law, company policies, and audit requirements. • Maintain payroll documentation and employee records. • Support internal and external audits. • Implement and strengthen payroll controls to mitigate financial risks. Reporting & Analytics • Prepare payroll variance analyses and labor cost reports. • Provide workforce cost insights to Finance and HR leadership. • Monitor payroll KPIs, labor budgets, and workforce expenses. • Develop automated reports and dashboards using Excel. Stakeholder Management • Collaborate closely with HR, Talent Acquisition, Operations, and Finance teams. • Serve as the key point of contact for payroll-related matters. • Provide payroll guidance and support to department heads. Qualifications Education • Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related discipline. • CPA, ACCA, CMA, CIMA, or equivalent professional qualification is preferred. Experience • Minimum 7-10 years of accounting experience. • Minimum 3 years in a Chief Accountant, Payroll Manager, Senior Payroll Accountant, or similar leadership role. • Proven payroll management experience within: • Hospitality Groups • Hotel Chains • Restaurant Operations • Catering Companies • Retail or FMCG Organizations with large employee populations Technical Skills • Strong SAP ERP experience (SAP FI/CO, SAP HCM Payroll, SAP SuccessFactors preferred). • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including: • Pivot Tables • Power Query • Power Pivot • XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP • SUMIFS • Payroll Modeling • Reconciliation Templates • Dashboard Creation • Experience with Power BI is highly desirable. Competencies • Strong understanding of payroll accounting and financial controls. • High attention to detail and accuracy. • Strong analytical and reconciliation skills. • Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities. • Ability to manage payroll deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Preferred Industry Background Candidates with experience from: • Marriott International • Hilton Hotels & Resorts • Accor Hotels • Rotana Hotels • Wyndham Hotels • Katara Hospitality • Americana Restaurants • Alshaya Group • Azadea Group • Ali Bin Ali Hospitality • Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC) • Chef Middle East • Large hospitality groups and central kitchen operations Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) • Payroll Accuracy % • Payroll Processing Timeliness • Labor Cost Variance • Payroll Audit Compliance • Payroll Reconciliation Accuracy • Employee Query Resolution Time • Cost Center Allocation Accuracy • Month-End Closing Timeliness Benefits • Medical Insurance • Annual Leave • End of Service Benefits • Company Benefits in accordance with Qatar Labor Law