Senior Accountant / Controller

Essence Investment AG seeks a Senior Accountant / Controller in Breitenbach to manage end-to-end accounting, reporting, and compliance for its Swiss entities in a hybrid, entrepreneurial setting.

This senior, ownership-driven role serves as the CFO’s primary partner for financial reporting, audit coordination, and regulatory compliance. The position operates within a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment where the successful candidate will build and refine financial processes in real time while overseeing the full accounting cycle for Swiss operations.

Responsibilities

• Manage the complete general ledger for Swiss entities, covering accounts payable and receivable, banking, accruals, prepayments, fixed assets, and intercompany transactions.
• Execute monthly reconciliations for bank accounts, point-of-sale systems, and card settlements, ensuring all open items are cleared promptly.
• Ensure all journal entries are accurate, well-documented, and supported by clear audit trails.
• Assist with liquidity management by monitoring cash flow, planning payments, and producing short-term liquidity forecasts.
• Participate in annual budgeting and periodic forecasting, tracking actual performance against targets.
• Process monthly payroll and reconcile related liabilities, including social insurance, pension (BVG), accident and sickness coverage, and withholding tax.
• Coordinate data synchronization between the HR management system and payroll accounting software.
• Lead the month-end close process according to a strict schedule and prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements compliant with Swiss GAAP and the Swiss Code of Obligations.
• Develop management reports with variance analysis (actual vs. budget/forecast) and provide clear commentary on results.
• Facilitate intercompany reconciliations across group entities in Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
• Prepare quarterly Swiss VAT returns and support VAT compliance for cross-border and export activities.
• Assist with corporate tax filings and liaise with external fiduciaries and tax advisors.
• Serve as the main point of contact for external auditors and fiduciaries during statutory and tax audits.
• Strengthen internal controls by enforcing segregation of duties, approval workflows, period locking, and reconciliation standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial and accounting workflows and implement necessary changes.
• Collaborate with operations, sales, and logistics teams to ensure transactions are recorded correctly at the source.

Requirements

• University degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Five to eight years of practical experience in accounting roles.
• Strong understanding of Swiss GAAP and the Swiss Code of Obligations.
• Working knowledge of Swiss VAT regulations, including import and export mechanics, and payroll-related social insurance requirements.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced Excel capabilities.
• Fluency in both German and English.
• Highly precise, structured, and self-motivated with strong professional integrity.
• Swiss citizenship or a valid Swiss work permit (B or C permit).

Nice to have

• Swiss professional qualification, such as the Fachausweis Finanz- und Rechnungswesen.
• Experience working with Swiss SMEs in production, wholesale, retail, or agriculture sectors.
• Exposure to international or multi-entity accounting environments.
• Prior experience using Odoo.

What the company offers

• Annual salary of 110,000 to 130,000 CHF for full-time employment.
• Part-time employment option with an annual salary of 85,000 to 105,000 CHF.
• 25 days of paid vacation per year.
• Opportunities for professional development, further training, and career advancement.
• Modern, flexible working environment with options for part-time schedules or flexible hours.
• Stable and secure employment within a well-established company.
• Provision of a public transport pass.
• Access to pension 3a options.

About the company

Essence Investment AG fosters a genuinely entrepreneurial culture where employees have direct influence over the design and operation of the finance function. The company values a dynamic environment where processes are continuously improved to support business growth.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with direct impact on finance operations.
• Flexible and modern work environment.
• Focus on continuous process improvement.