(Senior) Accountant

About the role

DataGuard is seeking a seasoned accounting specialist to take ownership of financial operations and scale processes in line with the company's rapid expansion. In this position, you will safeguard the integrity of financial data while spearheading automation initiatives and structural improvements across the accounting infrastructure. The role demands a proactive approach to managing complex closing cycles and serving as a key liaison for audit activities. You will operate at the intersection of traditional accounting rigor and modern fintech tooling, directly influencing the efficiency of the finance function. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape the financial backbone of a leading SaaS organization.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Take full ownership of core accounting operations, steering Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable workflows, executing payment runs, administering fixed asset registers, and calculating monthly accruals with precision.
• Lead the execution of month-end and year-end closing procedures, guaranteeing strict adherence to German Commercial Code (HGB) standards and tight reporting deadlines.
• Compile comprehensive annual financial statements and act as the primary technical contact for both internal control reviews and external statutory audits, managing auditor inquiries and documentation requests.
• Drive the automation agenda by partnering closely with the DataOps squad and wider finance team to identify manual bottlenecks, design scalable workflow solutions, and implement process refinements using modern tooling.
• Collaborate strategically with the Director of Financial Controlling on cross-functional operational projects aimed at fortifying the company's financial architecture and reporting capabilities.
• Manage intercompany reconciliation and settlement processes, ensuring accurate eliminations and compliance with transfer pricing documentation requirements where applicable.
• Oversee VAT compliance obligations, including the preparation and submission of periodic VAT returns (UStVA) and annual VAT declarations, coordinating with external tax advisors for complex cross-border transactions.
• Monitor and optimize the procure-to-pay and order-to-cash cycles, implementing controls to minimize processing errors and improve working capital management.
• Maintain the fixed asset ledger, including acquisition posting, depreciation runs under HGB rules, impairment testing, and disposal accounting.
• Prepare management reporting packages and ad-hoc financial analyses to support leadership decision-making, bridging the gap between statutory accounting and operational KPIs.
• Ensure the chart of accounts and accounting master data remain clean, scalable, and aligned with evolving business models and product lines.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) to mitigate risk and satisfy audit requirements.

Requirements

• A minimum of three years of hands-on experience in financial accounting, with demonstrable end-to-end responsibility for monthly, quarterly, and annual closing cycles.
• At least one year of professional experience within a high-growth technology or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) environment, navigating the nuances of subscription revenue recognition and deferred revenue mechanics.
• Formal certification as a Geprüfter Bilanzbuchhalter (IHK) or equivalent state-recognized qualification, evidencing deep technical mastery of German accounting principles.
• A completed university degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• Expert-level command of HGB (Handelsgesetzbuch) regulations and German tax law (AO, EStG, KStG, UStG), with the ability to interpret and apply complex standards independently.
• Full professional fluency in German (C1/C2 level) combined with strong business English proficiency (minimum B2/C1) for cross-border collaboration and documentation.
• Advanced practical proficiency in DATEV (Kanzlei Rechnungswesen / Unternehmen online) and Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and complex modeling techniques.
• Proven ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while managing multiple competing priorities and strict deadlines.

Nice to have

• Practical exposure to complex accounting domains such as transfer pricing documentation (TPD), international VAT compliance (OSS/IOSS), or multi-entity intercompany accounting and netting.
• Hands-on familiarity with the modern finance stack, specifically Chargebee for subscription billing, Yokoy for expense management, Perk for payroll/benefits, Xero for cloud accounting, Salesforce CRM data structures, or Adyen for payment reconciliation.
• Prior professional experience in an international or multi-jurisdictional setting, ideally within a European group structure requiring consolidation knowledge.
• Experience with ERP migration projects or the implementation of new financial systems (e.g., moving to NetSuite, SAP, or similar scale-up ERPs).
• Knowledge of IFRS reporting requirements, particularly as a secondary reporting framework for investor or group consolidation purposes.
• Active participation in professional accounting networks or continuous education beyond mandatory CPE requirements.

Skills & tools

• DATEV (Kanzlei Rechnungswesen, Unternehmen online, DATEV DMS)
• Microsoft Excel (Advanced: Power Query, Dynamic Arrays, Financial Modeling)
• Chargebee (Subscription Billing & Revenue Recognition)
• HGB Accounting Standards & German Tax Law (AO, EStG, KStG, UStG)
• Financial Reporting & Statutory Audit Coordination
• Process Automation & Workflow Design (Zapier, Make, or native API integrations)
• Yokoy (Expense Management)
• Adyen (Payment Reconciliation)
• Salesforce (Financial Data Integration)
• Xero (Cloud Accounting)
• Intercompany Accounting & Netting
• VAT Compliance (UStVA, OSS, Intrastat)

Practical notes

• The compensation package includes a dedicated personal training budget to support continuous professional development, including CPE requirements for Bilanzbuchhalter certification maintenance.
• Structured bi-annual feedback and performance review cycles ensure clear career progression pathways and alignment with organizational goals.
• Access to internal employee accelerator programs designed to foster leadership skills and cross-functional mobility.
• The position operates on a hybrid model with high flexibility regarding working hours and office attendance, supporting work-life integration.
• Comprehensive benefits portfolio covering lifestyle subsidies (e.g., Urban Sports Club, JobRad), health initiatives (mental health support, check-ups), and family-oriented support (childcare subsidies, parental leave top-ups).
• Visa and relocation support is available for eligible candidates moving to Berlin from abroad, including assistance with Blue Card applications and settlement logistics.
• Modern, centrally located office space in Berlin with collaborative zones and quiet focus areas, easily accessible by public transport.
• 30 days of annual leave plus public holidays, with the option to buy/sell vacation days within policy limits.
• Company pension scheme (betriebliche Altersvorsorge) with employer matching contributions.