Cost Accounting Manager EPO - European Patent Office

Munich, Germany

Department Management Accounting
In Directorate Finances and Budget
EPO Munich (Germany)

Directorate Finances and Budget has 14 staff and is responsible for drawing up the European Patent Office's budgets and financial plans and monitoring budget implementation, as well as for reporting, cost and management accounting and change management.

Main duties

Within the team, the successful candidate will be responsible for:

• the Office's cost-accounting operations and deliverables
• user co-ordination, training and support
• financial management, financial studies and discounted cash-flow simulations
• project leadership of development projects for management accounting tools
• cost-benefit tools and analyses for large-scale investments

The ideal candidate will have:

• a university degree in business administration or economics, with the emphasis on financial controlling and cost and revenue accounting
• professional experience in finances, budgeting and controlling, preferably in a large public or private organisation
• very good communication skills and a developed sense of customer service
• the ability to take initiatives, find information, analyse and negotiate
• a sound knowledge of accounting, in particular IFRS
• a sound knowledge of ERP, including SAP R/3 and - if possible - SAS
• solid Excel skills
• a very good knowledge of English
• proven organisational and planning skills
• the ability to familiarise themselves quickly with the EPO's specific financial environment

Minimum qualifications

Diploma of completed studies at university level or - in exceptional cases - equivalent professional experience. Excellent knowledge of one official language and ability to understand the other two.

Duration of the contract

The contract will be on a non-renewable basis until 31 December 2014. Extensions are possible. However, the maximum duration of the contract cannot exceed 36 months.

Selection procedure

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications, supplemented as appropriate by interviews and/or tests. It is intended to hold the interviews on 19 and 20 December.

Please apply online, using the online application form, reference number NRC/5176

Closing date: 01.12.2011

As the second largest European organisation, the European Patent Office offers a competitive salary, excellent social benefits and varied work in a modern international environment.