Senior accountant

About the job

Company Description

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,500 employees operate a network of 2,500 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Accountant with a strong technical accounting background to take a key role within a lean and flat finance organization.

Accounting Ownership, Closing & Intercompany

• Take ownership of the General Ledger (GL) across both entities
• Lead and ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual closings
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, provisions, and adjustments
• Ensure balance sheet integrity through robust reconciliations
• Review and validate intercompany balances and reconciliations prepared by SSC
• Support the preparation of statutory accounts and ensure compliance with local requirements

Multi-Entity Compliance, Control & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with Group policies and local regulations
• Implement key internal controls and check consistently applied across both entities
• Identify and address main accounting risks and control gaps, especially between SSC and local activities
• Review critical processes (e.g. billing, GL, intercompany) to ensure accuracy and proper controls
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and clear ownership of processes
• Maintain clear documentation and audit trail to support audit readiness

SSC Collaboration & Control

• Work closely with the Shared Service Center (AP, Fixed Assets, Master Data, Cash Management, Intercompany, part of AR/billing)
• Review key outputs and ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency
• Act as a coordination and escalation point for complex or non-standard issues
• Monitor service quality and contribute to continuous improvement of SSC processes
• Ensure strong alignment between SSC and local activities

Team Collaboration & Projects

• Work closely with two Senior Accountants and two Junior in a flat structure
• Provide collaborative guidance and peer review when needed (no formal management responsibility)
• Contribute to finance transformation initiatives (e.g. ERP improvements, process standardization)

Tax & Audit

• Coordinate tax-related matters with SSC and external advisors
• Actively participate in and support internal and external audits, VAT processes

Qualifications

Experience/Qualifications:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in accounting with strong GL and closing expertise
• Proven experience in a multi-entity and SSC environment
• Comfortable operating in a lean, flat organization
• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or equivalent

Technical Skills:

• Strong expertise in financial accounting, reconciliations, and closing processes
• Good understanding of SSC operating models and controls
• Solid knowledge of intercompany accounting
• Knowledge of IFRS and/or local GAAP
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, etc.)
• Advanced Excel skills

       Soft Skills:

• Strong ownership mindset and accountability
• Ability to operate both hands-on and with a control perspective
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Comfortable working in a matrix environment
• Pragmatic, proactive, and solution-oriented
• High level of integrity and attention to detail

Additional Information

The role covers two legal entities and operates in close collaboration with a Shared Service Center (SSC) and a local team composed of two Senior Accountants and one Junior. It is a hands-on, high-impact individual contributor position, with a strong emphasis on accounting ownership and internal control.  Working closely with the Head of Finance, offering progressive exposure to broader finance responsibilities.  This position offers a natural progression toward Head of Finance, providing:

• Exposure to multi-entity and SSC environments
• Ownership of core accounting and control topics
• Close collaboration with senior leadership
• Gradual expansion into broader finance responsibilities