Accountant - Fixed Assets

As part of the Administration Directorate, the Finance Department ensures that financial resources are used according to the applicable rules and regulations, and in line with the directions defined by ESO's governing bodies. Our Finance Department covers four main areas: Budgeting and Controlling, Accounting, Invoice Control and Treasury. It operates in an integrated way with units in Garching, Germany and in Santiago de Chile. Our team is made up of 16 staff with 9 nationalities, providing a multicultural and diverse team that you will be a part of. We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented accountant to take care of the organisation's fixed assets and join our finance team at our HQ in Garching. You will play a vital role in ensuring the accuracy of our fixed asset register and supporting our Controlling team. You will be joining at an exciting time of change as we look to implement a new ERP system in the near future, offering you the opportunity to be part of our dynamic environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for you as an accounting professional to execute various tasks that will fall under your respective responsibilities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain the organisation's fixed asset register, including the identification of assets together with the technical experts and consolidation with other databases;
• Keep contact and collaborate with the fixed asset owners;
• Collaborate with the project managers regarding the cost allocation of the project related fixed assets
• Follow up on the employees' time registration and process the related expenses;
• Support the Controlling team in the maintenance of the organisation's position plan;
• Collaborate with various departments to obtain necessary documentation and resolve discrepancies;
• Assist in preparing financial reports and statements as required;
• Provide support during audits and address audit-related inquiries.

Reports to:

Head of Finance Department.

Key Competences and Experience

Essential Competences and Experience:

• At least five years of experience working as an Accountant, dealing with fixed assets;
• Strong experience in the application of IAS 16 and/or IPSAS 17;
• Familiar with complex construction projects and the definition of related assets;
• Analytical mindset and a high level of attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently, adapt to change, and prioritize own activities;
• Solid knowledge of a larger scale ERP system (e.g. SAP, Oracle) and the Microsoft Office Package (especially MS Excel);
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills in international and multicultural environments, with the ability to engage with technical and scientific experts.

Desirable Competencies and Experience:

• Working experience in an intergovernmental organisation;
• Ability to rapidly understand and adapt to the ESO-specific context;
• User experience with Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting ,or in an equivalent relevant subject is required. In lieu of a degree, relevant technical qualifications may also be accepted. In this case, at least eight years of directly relevant experience are required.

Language Skills:

A very good command of the English language is essential, a good command of German and working knowledge in Spanish would be an advantage.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the possibility to place your child/children in daycare.

Our Salary Structure

ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.

Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/). Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.

Duty Station:

ESO Headquarters at Garching, near Munich.

Career Path: III

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

Deadline for applications is 3 November 2024.

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.

ESO Values

An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.

The ESO Values are:

ESO strives for excellence through innovation.

ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.

ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.

ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.

Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication.

Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.

Diversity

ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.

Nationality

No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.