Director Accounting – International (Ref. 2519) - Zug, Switzerland (3x weekly office presence required, the rest is remote)

In this key position, you will play a crucial role in building the international accounting infrastructure from scratch. You will therefore need to act strategically and form relationships with service providers and other entities across different countries, whilst at the same time willing to execute hands-on as needed.

Your main tasks

• Lead the setup of accounting systems, policies, and processes from scratch to support the company’s expansion in the EU and beyond.
• Build relationships with and oversee local outsourced accounting service providers across the region
• Oversee and execute accounting processes for international entities, ensuring accuracy and completeness of general ledger (GL) entries.
• In collaboration with external providers, lead the monthly financial close process, ensuring timely and accurate reporting for the region.
• Manage and ensure smooth functioning of daily operations for accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR). (through external providers)
• Establish processes and ensure proper accounting of commercial and clinical activities (e.g., revenue recognition, gross-to-net, cost accounting, receivables).
• Take over responsibility for Tax function, ensuring timely and accurate filing of VAT, CIT, Intrastat, and other statutory tax filings.
• Manage all intercompany transactions, ensuring timely settlements and compliance with transfer pricing regulations.
• Lead local implementation of ERP and other finance systems as local expert and project lead, constantly identifying opportunities for optimization (e.g. through RPA, centralized accounting, etc.)
• Define and implement SOX controls and lead internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and corporate policies.
• Coordinate with third-party accounting and payroll service providers to ensure accurate financial operations.
• Support the setup of new legal entities as part of the company’s international expansion.
• Perform operational tasks as needed, including cash flow management and FX transactions for treasury.
• Able to see the big picture and have a vision for how to scale-up the department internationally.

Your Profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or equivalent preferred, with 10+ years of relevant experience within an international pharmaceutical/biotech company mandatory
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and local GAAP.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Proven ability to set up accounting functions from scratch, manage financial close processes, statutory reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication and cultural sensitivity to collaborate across international teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and drive process improvements.
• Excellent English language skills; German and other European languages a plus
• Willing to execute daily transactional accounting tasks on top of strategic responsibilities, as needed
• Comfortable operating in a start-up, but with experience also with more mature environments necessary

Sebastian Pal is looking forward to receiving your application documents via job portal (CV, diploma, reference letters; no motivational letter necessary).

Full discretion is guaranteed and we will gladly answer any additional questions.