Senior Financial Accountant

Job Description

Our Support Functions deliver services and make recommendations about ways to enhance our workplace and the culture of our organization. Our Support Functions include HR, Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Procurement, Administration, Facilities and Security.

We are looking for a senior financial accountant to join our Holdings team as part of the Swiss controller’s organization.

The senior financial accountant will be responsible for independently maintaining the financial integrity and soundness of the assigned tasks and ensuring accurate and timely submission of financials and other information to Head Quarters and other relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities:

• Prepares and monitors the annual statutory reporting, including preparation of statutory financials under IFRS and Swiss Code of Obligations, respective documentation and assistance during the statutory audit

• Ensures timely and accurately booking and justification of monthly accounting transactions for the entities

• Prepares and/or reviews SAP accounting journal entries as and when required

• Be first point of contact to internal and external auditors

• Maintains chart of accounts and provides support to other departments for cost-center analysis and maintenance

• Provides accurate financial information to the budget holders and the financial analysts

• Prepares the annual tax return and provides ad hoc tax reporting

• Leverages resources from the Business Services Center regarding fixed assets, intercompany, payroll and cash activities

• Manages the monthly closing process in coordination with the Business Services Center in Prague as well as budget holders and financial analysts

• Supports the Finance Manager in the development and preparation of KPIs and controlling tools

• Works effectively with key-stakeholders across divisions and different levels of management

• Manage (lead) or participate in projects within the finance organization aiming to foster collaboration, process improvement and harmonization

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance (or equivalent)

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience as an accountant within a multinational environment

• Strong knowledge of accounting regulations and practices (US GAAP, Swiss Code of Obligations) including expertise in restructurings

• Proficient in MS Office (especially Excel) and SAP

• Experienced in optimizing business processes leveraging technology

• Business-level English skills (speaking and writing) required, fluency in German is a plus

• Problem solving and analytical skills with a proactive working style to implement new processes. Ability to work independently, capable of handling multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

• Solid communication, interpersonal, and organization skills enabling effective communication with all levels of management required

• Ability to remain focused and lead through change or uncertainty

• Excellent ethics and behaviours (demonstrates a high degree of integrity)

• Analytical mindset with ability to break down complex topics

• Control and compliance mindset

Our Finance team brings together our financial perspectives into our overall strategic and tactical decision making. We use state-of-the-art techniques for financial analysis, planning, accounting, reporting and performance evaluation. This allows the organization to continue advancing medical innovation and improve lives.

THE COMPANY

Our company has had a presence in Switzerland since 1963. With a regional office and manufacturing/packaging facility, Lucerne is considered the center of operations. Approximately 1,000 people work collaboratively at the four Lucerne locations (Tribschenstrasse, Citybay, Schachen and Kriens). A fifth location has been recently established in Zurich, aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of many of our company’s medicines and vaccines, which supports our mission to save and improve lives around the world. The new location has a target date of 2021 for operational readiness. We are proud to be certified as a “Top Employer Switzerland” and “Top Employer Europe” showing the company’s commitment to our employees and the community around us.

Our Tribschenstrasse office, located in the city of Luzern has a rich diversity of employees at this location including Global Supply Chain Management, Regional External Manufacturing and one of our European Finance Hubs. The site also serves as our regional and local headquarters for our company’s Animal Health Division in Switzerland.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. 

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Requisition ID:R287196