Head Bookkeeper

Mandarin Oriental Residences, Tel Aviv represents a new benchmark in luxury living, combining Mandarin Oriental’s legendary service with an exceptional residential experience in one of the Mediterranean’s most vibrant cities. Located in the heart of Tel Aviv, the Residences offer an exclusive collection of luxury homes complemented by world-class amenities, personalized services, and the renowned hospitality standards of Mandarin Oriental. More than just a residence, Mandarin Oriental Residences, Tel Aviv is designed to create a refined lifestyle experience, where residents enjoy exceptional service, comfort, privacy, and attention to detail every day. The Head Bookkeeper works closely with the Director of Residences, the Residence Management team, ownership representatives, and relevant corporate finance teams to ensure accurate, transparent, timely, and fully compliant financial management of the residential operation. The role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day accounting function, financial controls, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, resident-related financial transactions, budgeting support, financial reporting, statutory compliance, and coordination with external auditors, tax advisors, banks, suppliers, and relevant authorities. The Head Bookkeeper plays a key role in establishing robust financial processes during the pre-opening phase and maintaining the highest standards of financial governance, accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism in accordance with Mandarin Oriental standards and Israeli accounting requirements. Key Responsibilities Lead and manage the day-to-day accounting operations of Mandarin Oriental Residences, Tel Aviv. Maintain accurate and complete accounting records in accordance with applicable Israeli accounting principles, tax regulations, internal policies, and Mandarin Oriental financial standards. Manage the general ledger and ensure the accurate and timely recording of all financial transactions. Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, management accounts, reconciliations, and supporting schedules. Support the Director of Residences and Residence Management team in the preparation, monitoring, and ongoing control of the annual operating budget, pre-opening budget, forecasts, and financial performance. Monitor actual operating expenses against approved budgets and provide timely variance analysis and explanations to management. Manage accounts payable processes, including invoice verification, coding, approval workflows, payment preparation, supplier reconciliations, and payment controls. Manage accounts receivable processes, including resident accounts, service charges, management-related charges, reimbursements, and other receivables applicable to the residential operation. Ensure accurate and timely bank reconciliations, supplier account reconciliations, balance sheet reconciliations, and intercompany reconciliations where applicable. Monitor cash flow requirements and support management in maintaining appropriate cash controls and payment scheduling. Maintain strong internal financial controls and ensure appropriate segregation of duties, approval authorities, supporting documentation, and audit trails. Support the financial setup and implementation of systems, procedures, chart of accounts, reporting structures, and accounting controls during the pre-opening phase. Ensure all financial processes are documented through clear policies and standard operating procedures. Coordinate closely with the Director of Residences, Operations, Engineering, Housekeeping, Front Office, Security, Procurement, Human Resources, and other departments regarding financial and budgetary matters. Support payroll-related accounting processes and ensure accurate recording and reconciliation of payroll expenses, employer contributions, benefits, and other employee-related costs in coordination with payroll and Human Resources. Ensure compliance with Israeli VAT, withholding tax, National Insurance, payroll-related obligations, and other relevant statutory financial requirements in coordination with professional advisors where required. Prepare and submit financial documentation and reports required by ownership, Mandarin Oriental corporate teams, auditors, tax advisors, banks, and regulatory authorities. Coordinate year-end closing processes and support external and internal audits, including preparation of reconciliations, schedules, supporting documentation, and responses to audit queries. Support procurement and purchasing controls, including budget verification, purchase order processes, supplier documentation, and financial approval procedures. Monitor capital expenditure, pre-opening expenditure, operating expenditure, and other approved financial commitments against the relevant budgets. Support the tracking and accounting treatment of developer-funded, owner-funded, pre-opening, operating, and capital expenditure, ensuring appropriate classification and documentation. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding resident information, employee payroll data, contracts, financial information, ownership information, and other commercially sensitive matters. Identify financial risks, control weaknesses, discrepancies, and unusual transactions and escalate them appropriately. Promote a culture of financial discipline, accountability, accuracy, transparency, and continuous improvement across the residential operation. Qualifications and Requirements Minimum 5 years' professional accounting experience, with at least 2–3 years in a senior accounting, supervisory, or managerial position. Previous experience as a Chief Accountant, Senior Accountant, Assistant Financial Controller, Finance Manager, or equivalent senior accounting position is highly desirable. Experience within luxury hotels, branded residences, residential property management, commercial real estate, mixed-use developments, private clubs, or other complex service-oriented environments is highly advantageous. Pre-opening experience within a luxury hospitality, branded residential, or mixed-use environment is highly advantageous. Strong knowledge of Israeli accounting principles, VAT regulations, withholding tax, payroll-related accounting requirements, statutory reporting, and local financial regulations. Relevant academic qualification in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline is required. Israeli CPA qualification is highly desirable. Candidates with substantial relevant Chief Accountant experience and appropriate professional accounting qualifications may also be considered. Strong experience in general ledger accounting, month-end closing, balance sheet reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Proven experience working with external auditors, tax advisors, banks, suppliers, and relevant regulatory authorities. Experience managing resident accounts, service charges, management fees, common-area expenses, or property-related accounting is highly desirable. Strong understanding of internal controls, approval processes, segregation of duties, and financial governance. High proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced formulas, reconciliations, financial analysis, and reporting. Experience with accounting, ERP, property management, or hospitality financial systems is required; experience with internationally recognized hospitality or property-management systems is highly advantageous. Strong analytical and numerical skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, reporting cycles, and financial processes simultaneously. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with senior management, department heads, ownership representatives, colleagues, auditors, suppliers, residents, and external professional advisors. High level of integrity, discretion, confidentiality, and professional judgment. Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary management team. Ability to perform effectively in a dynamic pre-opening and operational environment. Fluent Hebrew and English are mandatory, including the ability to prepare and review professional financial documentation and reports in both languages. Israeli citizenship is required. Why Join Mandarin Oriental Residences, Tel Aviv This is a unique opportunity to be part of the pre-opening team of one of the world's most prestigious luxury residential brands and to help establish the financial foundations, controls, and reporting standards of an exceptional residential operation. The Chief Accountant will play a central role in ensuring financial accuracy, accountability, compliance, and operational excellence while supporting the delivery of Mandarin Oriental’s legendary standards of service and residential management.