Manager, Accounting

Sphera is a leading global provider of enterprise software and services that enables companies to manage and optimize their environmental, health, safety and sustainability. Our mission is to create a safer, more sustainable and productive world.

Sphera is a portfolio company of Blackstone, a U.S.-based alternative asset investment company that focuses on private equity, technology and innovation, and more. Blackstone businesses succeed through strong partnerships, a personalized approach and a commitment to exceptional performance with uncompromising integrity. Sphera and Blackstone are leaders in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) space.

We are guided by our core values of Customer Centricity, Accountability, Bias to Action, Innovation, and Collaboration. These values help us recruit the right talent to join our rapidly expanding team of around the globe. It is important to us that each and every Spherion is not only eager to challenge themselves and knows how to get work done but is an awesome addition to our company culture.

This position will manage the accounting staff and accounts payable specialists and reports to Finance Director EMEA. Responsibilities will include managing the month-end close process and completion of general ledger account reconciliations, ensuring the integrity of general ledger balances, managing, and developing the accounting staff.  The global team consists of 2 direct reports.

Month End Close and General Ledger

• Manage monthly general ledger close and variance reporting for our two major entities (both located in Germany) and their respective branches/subsidiaries (5 in total: Austria, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Switzerland)
• Post and Review of journal entries and account reconciliations for various Sphera entities
• Compilation and review of schedules to be used by outside auditors in their reviews and year-end audit
• Manage tax reporting (VAT, Intrastat)

Accounts Receivable / Payable

• Review and approve vendor bills to ensure proper expense coding; bill entry and edit is a task of your reports
• Initiate vendor payments for properly recorded and approved bills

Corporate

• Propose, document, and implement new accounting processes and internal control procedures
• Manage integrating acquisitions into our systems and processes
• Identify and implement opportunities for improvement
• Lead country specific statutory accounts, audit, and tax reporting requirements to support the Finance Director
• Manage and develop accounting staff providing effective coaching
• Key contributor on various projects as needed

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting from accredited four-year college or university
• You need to speak fluent either German or English and have a proficient use of the other of both languages
• >6 years of work experience; including some years of supervising reports
• CPA certificate, required  (or international equivalent)
• Preferred experience in providing support in accounting, reporting and controls related to M&A activities
• NetSuite experience preferred
• Proficient in the use of MS Excel, Word and Power Point
• Sound understanding of accounting principles
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• A high level of attention to detail, and strong organizational skills

Sphera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.