Job Description: Head of Accounts
Location: Essen, Germany
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Position Overview
As the Head of Accounts, you will play a vital role in ensuring the financial integrity and operational efficiency of our organization, leading a team of professionals dedicated to maintaining the highest accounting standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Accounting and Financial Reporting
- Lead month-end and year-end processes, ensuring that financial reporting is not only accurate but delivered in a timely manner to all stakeholders.
- Prepare comprehensive financial statements that comply with both IFRS and HGB standards to provide clear insights for management review.
- Manage revenue recognition processes, including unbilled receivables and deferred revenue, to ensure that financial results are properly reported.
- Oversee detailed reconciliations for balance sheets, accounts payable, and accounts receivable, guaranteeing financial accuracy across the board.
- Support management reporting, group consolidation, and year-end audits to align financial practices with organizational objectives.
- Accounts Payable, Receivable, and Expense Management
- Supervise AP and AR teams, ensuring precise invoice accuracy, compliance with VAT regulations, and adherence to strict approval protocols.
- Monitor and improve travel expense reporting processes, ensuring they are both accurate and efficient to optimize resource allocation.
- Drive automation initiatives to optimize workflows and systems, enhancing overall operational efficiency across accounting functions.
- Treasury Management
- Oversee petty cash management, bank account reconciliations, and essential statutory financial reporting to uphold organizational integrity.
- Prepare detailed cash flow forecasts and ensure comprehensive treasury reporting to stakeholders, providing clarity on financial standings.
- Intercompany Operations
- Manage intercompany transactions meticulously, ensuring accurate matching, reconciliations, and reporting within the group structure.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align intercompany balances and P&L, ensuring a unified financial outlook.
- Tax and VAT Compliance
- Prepare and submit VAT returns, deferred tax accounts, and other essential statutory filings, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
- Ensure compliance with local tax regulations and internal reporting requirements, empowering the organization to avoid fiscal pitfalls.
- Asset Management
- Maintain and review the fixed asset register scrupulously, ensuring accurate accounting for asset creation, disposal, and depreciation.
- Ensure compliance with lease accounting under IFRS16, contributing to thorough financial visibility in asset management.
- Audit and Compliance
- Lead local statutory audits and support both internal and external audits to ensure adherence to sound financial practices.
- Conduct self-assessments regularly to ensure compliance with internal controls and organizational policies, highlighting areas for improvement.
- Support tax audits by addressing audit findings effectively and implementing necessary changes to rectify any discrepancies.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Professional Experience and Skills
- Minimum of 5 years of accounting experience is essential, including managing a diverse team of 10+ members to achieve collective goals.
- Expertise in corporate accounting systems is a necessity, with a preference for candidates possessing experience in SAP software.
- Strong knowledge of IFRS, HGB, VAT, and tax regulations is required for effective governance and compliance.
- Advanced MS Office skills, particularly in Excel, are crucial for data management and analysis.
- Demonstrated success in process optimisation and team management is essential to drive performance in the accounting department.
- Educational Background
- A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Tax, or Auditing, or an equivalent qualification such as a Certified Accountant is mandatory.
- Personal Attributes
- Results-driven, quality-focused, and proactive approach is essential for leadership roles within finance.
- Strong communication and leadership skills are paramount, with the ability to inspire and lead diverse teams effectively.
- Fluency in both German and English is required to facilitate communication in our multinational environment.
- Flexible and adaptable to evolving business requirements, showcasing a readiness for change and innovation.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to lead a dynamic finance team in a global organisation, contributing to significant impact within the industry.
- Access to professional development and growth opportunities designed to enhance your career trajectory.
- A competitive salary and benefits package that rewards your contributions and supports your well-being.
- A supportive and collaborative working environment that fosters teamwork and innovation.
How to Apply
If you meet the above qualifications and are ready to take on a challenging yet rewarding leadership role, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and cover letter to
– What strategies do you implement to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting within your team?
**Interview with the Head of Accounts**
**Interviewer:** Welcome! We’re thrilled to have you here to discuss your role as the Head of Accounts. To begin, can you share a bit about your journey that led you to this position?
**Head of Accounts:** Thank you for having me! My journey in accounting began over a decade ago, where I started as an accounts assistant. Gradually, I moved up the ranks, taking on roles with increasing responsibility in financial reporting, accounts payable, and treasury management. The combination of my experience, along with my passion for financial integrity and team leadership, made me a good fit for the Head of Accounts position.
**Interviewer:** That’s impressive! Can you elaborate on your main responsibilities in this role?
**Head of Accounts:** Certainly! My primary responsibilities include leading the month-end and year-end accounting processes, ensuring our financial reporting is both accurate and timely. I oversee teams managing accounts payable and receivable, as well as treasury management, which involves preparing cash flow forecasts and ensuring compliance with regulations like VAT and tax laws. I aim to ensure that our financial practices align with the organization’s objectives.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of teams, how do you ensure effective collaboration and motivation among your staff?
**Head of Accounts:** Communication is key. I prioritize regular check-ins and encourage an open-door policy, which fosters collaboration and addresses any concerns promptly. I also focus on professional development by providing training and mentoring, so my team feels supported and valued. Recognizing their achievements helps motivate them as well!
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a great approach. Could you share how technology plays a role in enhancing your team’s efficiency?
**Head of Accounts:** Absolutely! We’re actively driving automation initiatives to streamline workflows and systems, which allows us to minimize manual errors and enhance efficiency across accounting functions. For example, implementing software like SAP has significantly improved our financial reporting accuracy and speed.
**Interviewer:** Given the rigorous standards you adhere to, can you explain your approach to compliance and audits?
**Head of Accounts:** Compliance is paramount in our field. I lead local statutory audits and support both internal and external audits diligently. We conduct self-assessments to ensure adherence to internal controls and policies. When audits reveal areas for improvement, I make it a priority to address them promptly to bolster our financial practices.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what qualities do you believe are crucial for someone aspiring to become a Head of Accounts?
**Head of Accounts:** I believe strong analytical skills are essential, along with a deep understanding of accounting standards like IFRS and HGB. Leadership abilities, excellent communication, attention to detail, and proficiency with accounting software are also vital. Ultimately, the ability to see the big picture while managing the finer details is crucial in this role.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights today! It’s been a pleasure learning about your role and the important work your team does.
**Head of Accounts:** Thank you! I enjoyed our conversation and appreciate the opportunity to discuss my role.