VAT Specialist

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company focused on refining gold and other precious metals, producing bullion, and delivering value-added services across the precious-metals value chain. The company operates in support of Vision 2030’s mining objectives and follows the requirements of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources as well as relevant Saudi and international standards. SGR emphasizes responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, with operations aligned to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-based quality expectations.

Role Overview

SGR is hiring a VAT Specialist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to oversee VAT compliance, reporting, and control activities. The role is centered on ensuring the correct tax treatment of refining operations, bullion sales, and procurement transactions in line with ZATCA rules. It also requires managing VAT complexities linked to precious metals, including reverse charge treatment and export zero-rating, to protect the company’s tax position.

The position reports to the Finance Manager and contributes to strong tax controls while helping improve cash flow through effective refund management. Success in the role depends on staying ahead of regulatory changes and working closely with operational teams so tax requirements are properly embedded into day-to-day business processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit monthly and quarterly VAT returns to ZATCA within statutory timelines.
• Review input tax claims to confirm they are supported by valid tax invoices and that only eligible expenses are claimed.
• Analyze sales transactions to apply export zero-rating and the correct exempt treatment for investment gold, reducing misclassification risk.
• Oversee e-invoicing output to ensure compliance with ZATCA Phase 2 technical standards and resolve integration issues with IT support.
• Build audit files, respond to ZATCA queries, and support external auditors with accurate documentation and clear explanations.
• Reconcile the VAT control account in the general ledger against filed returns and bank statements each month, and correct differences.
• Improve tax workflows by identifying inefficiencies and introducing automation or process changes to reduce manual work and errors.
• Advise Procurement and Sales teams on VAT implications for new contracts and customer classifications so compliance is built in from the start.
• Handle VAT refund submissions and follow-ups with ZATCA to support working capital and cash flow management.
• Monitor changes in Saudi tax legislation and ZATCA guidance, assess business impact, and update internal policies accordingly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Law from a recognized university.
• At least 5 years of VAT compliance experience, including a minimum of 3 years in Saudi Arabia.
• Strong understanding of Saudi VAT Law, Implementing Regulations, and ZATCA guidance.
• Hands-on experience using the ZATCA/GAZT portal for return filing and tax dispute handling.
• Advanced Excel skills for analysis, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Background in VAT handling for industrial, manufacturing, or trading businesses.
• English fluency is required; professional Arabic proficiency is preferred.
• Ability to perform under pressure and meet strict statutory deadlines consistently.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in mining, refining, or precious-metals businesses.
• SOCPA membership or an equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Exposure to SAP S/4HANA or Oracle ERP systems.
• Understanding of customs duties and how they interact with VAT.
• Certified Tax Agent registration with ZATCA.

Success Metrics

• All VAT returns submitted on time with no penalties.
• No audit adjustments or fines arising from ZATCA reviews.
• Monthly VAT reconciliation completed within 5 working days after month-end.
• Pending VAT refund claims cleared within the targeted timeframe.
• Full adherence to ZATCA Phase 2 e-invoicing technical requirements.
• Manual tax adjustment entries reduced by 20% year over year.
• Internal stakeholders rate tax advisory support positively.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Hiring decisions are based on the needs of the role, relevant skills and experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.