The Accountant is responsible for managing financial transactions, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulations. This role involves maintaining accurate records, reconciling accounts, and supporting budgeting and auditing processes.
The position encompasses full responsibility for accounting activities in France, while also providing support to accounting operations in Portugal.
Key Responsibilities
General Accounting & Financial Reporting
- Record and maintain financial transactions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger entries.
- Prepare and reconcile financial statements such as profit & loss, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
- Run the month-end and year-end closing processes.
- Ensure compliance with IFRS, GAAP, and other relevant accounting standards.
- Drive internal and external audits.
Accounts Payable & Receivable
- Process invoices, payments, and employee expense reports.
- Monitor accounts receivable collections and follow up on outstanding payments.
- Reconcile vendor and customer accounts.
Tax & Compliance
- Prepare tax filings, including VAT, corporate tax, and payroll tax.
- Ensure compliance with local tax regulations and statutory reporting requirements.
Budgeting & Financial Analysis
- Assist in preparing annual budgets and financial forecasts.
- Monitor budget variances and report key insights to management.
- Perform cost analysis to support decision-making.
Process Improvement & System Management
- Support the implementation and improvement of accounting systems and procedures.
- Automate financial reporting and reconciliation processes for efficiency.
Profile
We are looking for a detail-oriented and analytical accounting professional with a strong background in finance, capable of working in a fast-paced and international environment. The role requires solid technical expertise combined with strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills to ensure accuracy, efficiency and effective collaboration across teams and countries.
The position has a strong international scope, with primary responsibility for accounting activities in France and operational support to accounting activities in Portugal. It also requires full ownership of accounting processes for French entities, including statutory reporting, tax compliance, month-end closing, AR/AP management, bank reconciliations, and VAT and tax reporting in coordination with local advisors.
Hard Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA, ACCA, or equivalent certification preferred), or equivalent relevant work experience within the company.
- Minimum of 3+ years of experience in accounting roles, with responsibility for end-to-end accounting processes.
- Experience in the CRO, pharmaceutical, or healthcare industry is highly desirable.
- Strong knowledge of statutory reporting, tax compliance, and month-end close processes.
- Familiarity with project-based accounting and milestone-based revenue recognition.
- Familiarity with process mapping and process analysis tools.
- Proficiency in financial reporting systems and ERP software (e.g., SAP, Business Central).
- Advanced Excel skills for financial analysis and reporting.
- Fluency in French is required.
Soft Skills
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Proactive, adaptable, and solution-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.