At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial accounting for multiple European entities, focusing on month-end and year-end processes.
- Company: Join a dynamic international organisation committed to growth and accuracy.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, employee support programmes, and bike leasing options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career in finance.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong German GAAP knowledge and excellent Excel skills.
- Other info: Collaborate with a supportive team and enhance your skills in a vibrant workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Senior Financial Accountant to join our finance team at an exciting stage of the company’s growth, supporting multiple European entities with a particular focus on Germany as one of our largest markets. This role is well suited to a technically strong accountant who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment and is keen to take ownership of core accounting, statutory, and compliance activities. You will play a key role in delivering high-quality month-end and year-end close processes, supporting external audits, and ensuring compliance with local statutory and tax requirements across the region. Reporting into the EMEA Financial Controller, the role offers broad exposure across European entities, close collaboration with Group Finance, and the opportunity to develop within a growing international organisation that values accuracy, ownership, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Accounting & Month End Close
- Prepare month end close processes for multiple European entities, including Germany as the second largest entity.
- Prepare and review monthly balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and timely resolution of reconciling items.
- Act as a key point of contact for relevant entities during the month end close process, ensuring deadlines are met and issues are proactively identified and resolved.
- Audit, Statutory & Compliance
- Prepare year-end close processes for multiple European entities, ensuring deadlines are met and issues are proactively identified and resolved.
- Prepare audit schedules and respond to audit queries for external audits, with particular ownership of the German audit process.
- Work with external accountants to prepare statutory financial statements for multiple entities, including the preparation and audit of German GAAP statutory accounts.
- Support Group Finance with schedules and information required for the Group external audit.
- Ensure compliance with local statutory and tax filing requirements, managing day-to-day communication with external local accountants and tax advisers.
- Team Management
- Direct line management of two accountants in Berlin, Germany and Gurugram, India.
- Set clear expectations, deadlines, and performance standards for the team.
- Develop team capability and embed best practice while fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment.
- Promote a strong culture of ownership, control, and accountability.
- Stakeholder Support
- Act as the primary on-site finance contact for the Berlin office, supporting finance-related queries across AR, AP, and general accounting.
- Collaborate with the Credit Control team to improve reporting and visibility of debtor recoverability.
- Support the EMEA FC with financial analysis at entity and cost centre level, including commentary on variances versus budget and forecast.
- Process Improvement and Controls
- Help identify and implement finance process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and consistency across the wider team.
- Ensure compliance with Group policies, accounting standards, and control requirements.
- Support treasury-related process improvements to enable more accurate and timely cash flow forecasting.
- Support finance automation initiatives and system enhancement projects, working closely with Group Finance and the EMEA FC.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Required attributes:
- Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA / local equivalent).
- Native or fluent German, both written and spoken.
- Strong technical knowledge of German GAAP, IFRS, and FRS 102 (UK GAAP).
- Strong Excel skills to support reporting, reconciliations, and analysis of monthly actuals.
- Hands-on experience working with ERP systems, including supporting improvements or optimisations.
- Highly motivated, proactive, and able to work independently while contributing to a team.
- Experience collaborating within a team to achieve long-term goals.
Desirable attributes:
- Experience of working with Dynamics 365.
- Background in subscription-based or advisory sectors.
- Proficiency in at least one additional European language.
What we offer
Some of the benefits we include are:
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Spendit Card.
- BVG Job Ticket.
- Bike Leasing.
- Parental Support.
At AER, we are committed to offering flexibility in the way we work. Most of our roles are hybrid with a mix of in-office/home working and potentially adjustable working hours. Let’s discuss what works for you and AER during the interview process.
The Company is committed to the principle that no employee or job applicant shall receive unfavourable treatment on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity.
To apply, please submit your Résumé / CV, a personal summary, your salary expectations and please inform us of your notice period. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications via email, telephone, or social media platforms. To be considered for this position, please submit your application using the link provided. Applications submitted through any other channel will not be reviewed.
Senior Financial Accountant, European Markets (Ideally based in Berlin) in Oxford employer: Aurora Energy Research Limited
Contact Detail:
Aurora Energy Research Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Accountant, European Markets (Ideally based in Berlin) in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who might know someone at AER. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on German GAAP and IFRS. Show us you know your stuff and can handle the technical side of things with ease!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on your qualifications; highlight your experience in multi-entity environments. We want to see how you can bring that expertise to our team!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the only way we’ll see your application, so make sure you follow the instructions and submit everything we ask for.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Financial Accountant, European Markets (Ideally based in Berlin) in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Financial Accountant role. Highlight your experience with month-end close processes and compliance activities, especially in a multi-entity environment. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Personal Summary: Your personal summary is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for finance and your technical expertise, particularly in German GAAP and IFRS. Let us know why you're excited about this opportunity at StudySmarter.
Be Clear About Your Salary Expectations: When you mention your salary expectations, be realistic and do some research on industry standards. This helps us understand your needs and ensures we’re on the same page from the get-go.
Use Our Application Link: Remember, we only accept applications through our website. So, make sure to submit your CV, personal summary, and other required documents using the link provided. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aurora Energy Research Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Financial Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your strong technical knowledge of German GAAP and IFRS. Brush up on these standards and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in previous roles. Prepare examples of month-end close processes you've managed, especially in multi-entity environments.
✨Showcase Your Team Management Skills
Since this role involves direct line management of accountants, be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Think of specific instances where you've set clear expectations and fostered a collaborative environment. Highlight how you’ve developed team capabilities and promoted accountability.
✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions
Expect questions around statutory and tax compliance, especially related to the German market. Familiarise yourself with local filing requirements and be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past roles. This will show your understanding of the importance of accuracy and ownership in finance.
✨Demonstrate Process Improvement Mindset
The company values continuous improvement, so come prepared with ideas on how you've identified and implemented finance process improvements in the past. Discuss any experience you have with finance automation initiatives or system enhancements, as this aligns well with their goals.