General Ledger Accountant - German GAAP

Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.; Eschborn; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ISS STOXX seeks a General Ledger Accountant to support day-to-day financial accounting and closing activities for our EMEA entities. You will own general ledger tasks, account reconciliations, closing entries, and financial analysis, collaborating across international locations to ensure timely German GAAP, HGB, and IFRS reporting.

The role requires attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to investigate discrepancies within monthly, quarterly, and annual cycles.

Qualifications

• Completed a commercial apprenticeship or degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3+ years of relevant professional accounting experience; willingness to consider slightly less in certain cases with hands-on exposure.
• Practical knowledge of German GAAP, HGB, and experience closing monthly/quarterly/annual periods.
• Experience with balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, provisions, and closing entries.
• Understanding intercompany accounting and analysis of balance sheet and P&L movements.
• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables for reports and analyses.
• German (B2+) and English (C1+) proficiency; able to work with German-language financial data.
• Ability to investigate accounting issues and collaborate on solutions.
• Attention to detail and accountability for accurate closing timelines.
• Hands-on experience in international, collaborative environments.

Responsibilities

• Participate in monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements per GAA P, HGB, and IFRS.
• Manage day-to-day general ledger activities and ensure accurate posting of transactions.
• Prepare balance-sheet reconciliations, investigate discrepancies, and execute necessary corrections.
• Document and monitor period-end closing entries, provisions, accruals, and prepayments.
• Support intercompany accounting and group-wide closing activities.
• Assist fixed-asset accounting with maintenance and reconciliations.
• Review variances in balance-sheet and P&L movements and explain unusual items.
• Collaborate with auditors providing documentation and support.
• Prepare closing documentation and audit work papers.
• Respond to internal stakeholder requests and resolve accounting issues.
• Contribute to process improvements and adapt to system/reporting changes.

Skills

German GAAP knowledge (HGB)

IFRS knowledge

Intercompany accounting

SAP/SAP S/4HANA

Excel proficiency (Pivot)

Audit support & documentation

Closing & reconciliations

Fluent German & English

Education

Commercial apprenticeship or related degree

Business Administration/Accounting degree

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Microsoft Excel

Job description

General Ledger Accountant

As a General Ledger Accountant, you will support the day-to‑day financial accounting and closing activities for our EMEA entities. Working within an international accounting organization, you will take ownership of general ledger activities, account reconciliations, closing entries, financial analysis, and audit support. This is a hands‑on accounting role requiring attention to detail, sound judgement, and the ability to investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies within demanding monthly, quarterly, and annual closing timelines. You will collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders across several international locations while supporting accurate and timely reporting under German GAAP, HGB, and IFRS.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with German GAAP, HGB, and IFRS.
• Manage day‑to‑day financial accounting and general ledger activities, ensuring accurate account assignments and the timely recording of business transactions.
• Prepare and analyze balance‑sheet account reconciliations, independently investigate discrepancies, identify incorrect or duplicate postings, and coordinate or post the necessary corrections.
• Prepare, document, and monitor provisions, accruals, prepayments, and other period‑end closing entries.
• Perform intercompany accounting and reconciliations and support group‑wide closing activities.
• Support fixed‑asset accounting activities, including the maintenance and reconciliation of the fixed‑asset register.
• Review balance‑sheet and profit‑and‑loss developments, investigate significant variances, and provide clear explanations for unusual movements or accounting differences.
• Work closely with external and internal auditors, explaining accounting treatments and providing supporting documentation during quarterly and year‑end reviews.
• Prepare closing documentation, explanatory reports, and audit work papers.
• Respond to accounting‑related requests from internal stakeholders and work collaboratively to resolve operational accounting issues.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of accounting processes and adapt to changes in systems, tools, and reporting requirements while maintaining compliance with the Internal Control System.

Required qualifications

• Completed a commercial apprenticeship or hold a degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3 or more years of relevant professional accounting experience. Candidates with slightly less experience may also be considered where they can demonstrate broad, hands‑on accounting exposure.
• Practical knowledge of German GAAP, HGB, and experience supporting monthly, quarterly, or annual closing activities.
• Experience with balance‑sheet reconciliations, accruals, provisions, prepayments, closing entries, and the investigation of accounting discrepancies.
• Understanding of intercompany accounting and ability to analyze balance‑sheet and profit‑and‑loss movements.
• Strong Excel skills and being comfortable using functions such as pivot tables to prepare, review, and analyze accounting reports.
• Good German (B2 and above) and strong professional English (C1 and above) skills, both written and spoken, and are comfortable working with German‑language financial information.
• Ability to independently identify and investigate accounting issues, develop an initial view of their underlying cause, and collaborate with colleagues to agree on appropriate solutions.
• Attention to detail, personal accountability, and the ability to deliver accurate work within demanding closing timelines.
• Comfortable working in a hands‑on operational accounting position within an international and collaborative environment.

Preferred qualifications

• A certified accountant qualification.
• Working knowledge of IFRS and experience supporting group‑reporting requirements.
• Previous experience with SAP, ideally SAP S/4HANA.
• Experience supporting external or internal audits and preparing audit documentation.
• Knowledge of German tax and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with fixed‑asset accounting.
• Experience working within an international or multi‑entity accounting organization.
• Candidates with a strong accounts payable or accounts receivable background who have also gained exposure to closing, reconciliations, and broader accounting activities.

What you can expect from us

Our people are the moving force behind our work. We are committed to building a culture that values diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences. If you have the skills, passion, and drive to help us bring clarity and transparency to capital markets, we want to work with you. Together, we can grow your career in an environment that fuels creativity, drives innovation, and has real impact.

About ISS STOXX

ISS STOXX delivers world‑class research, data, and technology solutions that empower capital market participants to pursue their visions with confidence. Our expertise spans indices, corporate governance, sustainability, cyber risk, and fund intelligence, giving clients the tools they need to uncover opportunities, manage risks, and navigate evolving regulations.

We are made up of 4,000 professionals operating across 20 countries and serving approximately 5,000 clients, including many of the world’s leading institutional investors. Our scale and reach give us deep market knowledge, while our innovative methodologies allow us to offer our clients tailored insights that drive impact and success.

Visit our website: https://www.iss-stoxx.com/

View additional open roles: https://www.iss-stoxx.com/about/careers/

ISS STOXX is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, sex, age, height, weight, citizenship status, national origin, social origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy status, marital status, familial status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, military service or status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as “protected status”). All activities including, but not limited to, recruiting and hiring, recruitment advertising, promotions, performance appraisals, training, job assignments, compensation, demotions, transfers, terminations (including layoffs), benefits, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, are and will be administered on a non‑discriminatory basis, consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.