Mid-level Accountant

Esther Schipper GmbH; Berlin; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A contemporary art gallery in Berlin is seeking a mid-level Accountant to manage financial operations, including accounts payable, invoicing, and monthly accounting. The ideal candidate must have native proficiency in German and strong English skills. Responsibilities encompass processing payments, overseeing accounting documentation, and optimizing financial workflows. The role requires several years of experience, ideally within a gallery or cultural environment, along with excellent organizational abilities and attention to detail.

Qualifikationen

• Native level German and understanding of German Accounting practices required.
• B2 level English proficiency essential.
• Several years of professional experience in a similar role needed.
• Gallery experience is advantageous.

Aufgaben

• Manage day-to-day accounting including accounts payable.
• Ensure accurate invoicing and payments processing.
• Oversee monthly and annual accounting tasks.
• Reconcile expense reports and manage costs.
• Optimize accounting processes and maintain documentation.

Kenntnisse

Full professional proficiency in German

Full professional proficiency in English

Excellent knowledge of accounting software

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Ausbildung

Completed education in accounting, finance, or related field

Tools

Excel

DATEV

Artlogic

Jobbeschreibung

Esther Schipper is currently seeking an experienced and reliable mid-level Accountant to join our dynamic team. This position is crucial for maintaining and developing our financial operations and serves as the central liaison between management, external stakeholders and internal departments. The position holder is responsible for fulfilling the financial obligations of Esther Schipper GmbH towards the tax authorities and creditors. This includes overseeing the accounting processes with a focus on accounts payable. The scope of responsibilities also includes monthly accounting, preparation for annual financial statements, and handling inquiries from external tax advisors and, if applicable, auditors.

Gallery Profile

Specializing in contemporary art and representing over 50 artists and estates, Esther Schipper has locations in Berlin, Paris and Seoul. While the global team of over 60 employees spreads over locations around the world, the headquarters are located in Berlin, where the core of the operation is managed by both General Managers and their 6 departments.

Representing a diverse roster of international artists, the gallery has built a nearly 40-year legacy of innovation, institutional collaboration, and global engagement. The gallery is committed to presenting groundbreaking exhibitions by leading international artists. Mainly active in the primary market, the gallery represents its artists at all major international art fairs.

There are 8-9 internal exhibitions the gallery produces yearly for its space in Berlin, alongside regular exhibitions for the gallery’s showrooms in Paris and Seoul. The gallery participates in 10-12 international art fairs and supports dozens of external institutional exhibitions worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

1. Accounts payable

• Full responsibility for the day-to-day accounting, including the management of accounts payable including pre-accounting, approval coordination and digital processing
• Monitoring the proper and timely processing of credit card statements, travel expense reports, and petty cash in the accounting system

2. Invoicing & Payments

• Ensure accurate monitoring, recording and managing all incoming and outgoing payments across Esther Schipper GmbH's accounts, in close coordination with management and the Artist Accountant
• Initiate and execute payments, including preparation of payment lists in line with the 4-eyes principle

3. Monthly & Annual Accounting

• Responsible for ongoing communication and the timely and proper submission of preparatory accounting documents for external tax advisors, including exports, invoice submissions and supporting documents
• Oversee and reconcile OPOS
• Support annual audit preparation, including vendor reconciliation and communication with auditors and subsidiaries
• Account reconciliation for liabilities, e.g., to subsidiaries or suppliers

4. Expense & Cost Management

• Process and reconcile expense reports, credit card statements, petty cash, and foreign currency accounts
• Oversee and ensure compliance in travel cost reimbursements
• Prepare and review bank statements and ensure proper documentation of receipts

5. Administration & Process Optimization

Maintain and monitor the central accounting inbox, ensuring all internal and external queries (e.g. reminders, bank and vendor communication) are addressed within 24 hours.

Responsible for maintaining organizational structure and proper documentation both analog (for previous years) and digital archiving of all accounting records.

Continual analysis and optimization of processes in collaboration with other Finance team members the internal accounting guidelines (Rulebook Accounting) while maintaining orderly filing and archival systems for financial records.

In collaboration with other Finance team members create and lead internal workshops to help cross-department teams understand key financial workflows, accounting processes.

6. Covering colleagues during absences

During absences of colleagues, temporarily support and assist with the following tasks :

• Maintain and update the gallery’s sales database (Artlogic)
• Prepare and issue outgoing invoices (sales-related), including coordination with sales and gallery teams
• Take over responsibility of day-to-day accounting for accounts receivable

Requirements

• Full professional proficiency in German required (native level and proven understanding of German Accounting practices)
• Full professional proficiency in English (at least B2 level) required
• Completed education in accounting, finance, or related field
• Several years of professional experience in a similar role, preferably in an international and cultural environment. Gallery experience is advantageous
• Excellent knowledge of accounting software and Excel; familiarity with DATEV and Artlogic is a plus
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Positive, proactive and solution-oriented mindset

Working Conditions

Full-time, in-person role based in Berlin.

Occasional evening or weekend availability required for events.

Desired start: No later than March 2026.

Department: Finance.

Reports To: Team Lead Finance.