Senior group Accountant in London

About VIRTUS

VIRTUS Data Centres is the UK’s fastest-growing data centre provider. We own, design, build, and operate some of the most energy-efficient, flexible, and secure data centres in Europe. In 2023, we announced our expansion into continental Europe, starting with Berlin and Milan, with plans to grow further across the region. At VIRTUS, we aim to be a positive force in the fourth industrial revolution—delivering innovative solutions while staying firmly rooted in our core values: Clarity & Quality, Accountability, Customer Commitment, Purposeful Innovation, and Capability & Growth.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Europe Accountant to join our Finance team and play a key role in supporting monthly financial reporting and driving best‑practice finance processes, controls, and system improvements across our Germany and Italy operations. This role will take full ownership of the monthly and statutory accounts, as well as day‑to‑day finance activities, for both Germany and Italy. These are new markets for VIRTUS, currently in the construction phase, offering a rare opportunity to be involved from the outset of our European expansion and to help shape finance processes as the business scales. The successful candidate will work closely with the Group Finance function to embed strong controls, support SAP and system developments, and ensure high‑quality, timely reporting as the business delivers its ambitious EMEA growth plans over the coming years. The role would suit a qualified Accountant with 3+ years’ of practical post-qualification experience in a Finance team, and someone who is pro‑active and forward thinking in driving through change within the Finance Team. This is a 9‑month FTC based in either Berlin or London. There is the possibility of the role becoming permanent, however, the perm headcount will be based in Berlin.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Full ownership of monthly and annual financial reporting for Germany and Italy, covering IFRS, German GAAP and Italian GAAP
• Management of day‑to‑day finance operations, including journals, reconciliations, accruals and overall balance sheet integrity
• Payroll accounting for Germany, including reconciliation, review and posting of payroll journals, and management of related accruals (bonuses, holiday accruals and recharges)
• Preparation and review of accruals, prepayments and other month end adjustments
• Close collaboration with the Fixed Assets team to ensure accurate accounting for additions to property, plant and equipment
• Monitoring and reconciliation of assets under construction / work in progress
• Timely transfer of completed assets into depreciable fixed assets
• Management of currently outsourced bookkeeping services, including oversight of monthly deliverables and supporting documentation
• Detailed review of reporting quality and accuracy
• Driving the transition of accounting activities in house for both Germany and Italy
• Lead preparation for interim and year end audits, acting as key contact for external and internal auditors and responding effectively to audit queries
• Preparation of monthly budget review and variance analysis packs for Germany and Italy, working closely with Group Finance and local stakeholders
• Any other reasonable requests made by the Group Financial Controller and/or VP of Financial Reporting and Controls

Candidate Profile

Qualifications

• Essential: Accountancy qualification (CIMA or ACCA). German and English Speaking (Fluent)
• Desirable: Educated to degree level. Italian Speaking

Experience

• Essential: Strong knowledge and practical experience in usage and development of ERP systems, specifically SAP. Sound practical knowledge and experience of finance processes and controls, and interest in continuous process improvement/optimisation. Strong data analysis and interpretation skills. Good communication skills and comfortable with regular exposure to senior management. Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Desirable: Familiarity with data centre sector or other technology/capital intensive businesses advantageous. Advanced Excel skills including use of power query for data analysis.

Skills

• Essential: Ability to contribute to and work well with the team and other stakeholders. Planning and organisation skills and ability to prioritise to meet deadlines and manage fluctuations in workload.

In line with VIRTUS’ Vetting Policy, the successful applicant must be willing to undergo a BS7858 screening process. VIRTUS is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

We reserve the right to close this post for applications should sufficient applications be received.