Senior Specialist, Accounting Operations

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SES is seeking a Senior Specialist, Accounting Operations, onsite in Betzdorf. You will own the completeness and accuracy of the general ledger, IFRS and German GAAP, maintain SOX controls, manage strict month-end closing, and oversee intercompany and statutory reporting, with SAP-based ledgers and external service providers. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in a similar role, strong analytical skills, a continuous improvement mindset, and advanced qualifications (ACCA preferred) with SAP proficiency; English and German fluency are required. To apply, tailor your résumé to highlight SOX, group reporting, intercompany reconciliations, and statutory filings, and showcase how you meet deadlines and drive accuracy.

The job responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may evolve over time and be reviewed according to business needs.

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The incumbent is responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the general ledgers. This includes performance of financial analysis, application of IFRS and local regulations, and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) regulations and with SES’s policies and procedures.

The incumbent has thorough understanding of Accounting Standards, has a good understanding of the processes feeding into the General Ledger accounting, and generally has at least five years’ experience in the role, or a directly similar role at another employer.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• Completeness and documentation of financial records
• Ensure manual journal entries are properly recorded, with appropriate supporting documentation
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts ensuring high-accuracy financial reporting
• Identify, calculate, and record accrued expenses for services rendered but not yet invoiced
• As an entity controller, ensure accuracy of the general ledgers, including areas prepared by other departments (e.g. fixed assets transactions, revenue recognition, income taxes, etc.)
• Compliance of the financial records with SOX and SES policies and procedures
• Respect strict closing deadlines, to allow timely consolidation of SES’s results
• Ensure intercompany transactions are properly recorded and reconciled
• Maintain internal controls over financial reporting to meet SOX requirements
• Fulfilment of regulatory obligations associated with each entity
• Prepare annual statutory financial statements and any other tax filings or other reporting obligations
• Ensure compliance with applicable Accounting Standards and transfer pricing policies
• Financial analysis over Group results
• Prepare monthly review of companies’ results, including analysis of variances to prior and budget
• Oversight over external accounting service providers (if required)
• Review monthly reports from external providers, ensuring accuracy, including correct use of SES’s standard chart of accounts and cost centres
• Maintain reconciliation between IFRS consolidation ledger and local ledger (in SAP), as well as between local ledger (in SAP) and local ledger (in external provider’s system)

COMPETENCIES

• Excellent analytical skills and detail-focused
• Thorough understanding of Accounting Standards (German GAAP/HGB)
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to plan own time carefully and to prioritise with limited supervision
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in an international business environment

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or directly relevant professional qualification
• Advanced professional qualification (such as ACCA) preferred
• Proficiency in SAP
• Previous experience working in a SOX-compliant environment preferred
• More than five years operational experience in a similar role, preferably in an international organisation

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS

• Fluency in English and German, both oral and written