Accounting Manager

Education First; Barcelona; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Education First seeks an experienced Accounting Manager to take ownership of monthly close, statutory accounting, tax compliance, and process improvements in an international finance team based in Barcelona.

The role requires expert knowledge of accounting principles, Spanish GAAP and VAT, and strong collaboration with regional and BPO teams to drive accurate financials and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of finance or accounting experience.
• Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance.
• Strong technical understanding of accounting principles and controls.
• Solid understanding of Spanish GAAP, VAT, and statutory requirements.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, international environment with evolving processes.
• Fluent in English and Spanish, both written and spoken.
• Proficiency in Catalan or other European languages is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day accounting and financial reporting for several companies.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of trial balances, reconciliations, and monthly and year-end close.
• Support preparation of VAT, CIT, and statutory filings (in collaboration with external advisors).
• Act as liaison to EF’s BPO provider for R2R, O2C, and P2P performance.
• Prepare audit materials and internal reports, ensuring compliance with EF’s internal control standards.
• Contribute to standardization, automation, and system rollouts.
• Work cross-functionally with regional, local, and centralized teams.
• Collaborate with the Regional Finance Leadership and Regional Operations Team.

Skills

English

Spanish

Catalan

Education

Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance

Job description

EF is looking for an experienced finance professional to join our international team as Accounting Manager. You will take direct ownership of monthly close, statutory accounting, tax compliance, and process improvement, working closely with our finance operations team, business process outsourcing (BPO) provider, and external advisors.

This role offers full responsibility for accounting outputs and is suited to someone who enjoys working in detail and owning the accuracy and completeness of financials.

Key Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day accounting and financial reporting for several companies
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of trial balances, reconciliations, and monthly and year-end close
• Support preparation of VAT, CIT, and statutory filings (in collaboration with external advisors)
• Act as liaison to EF’s BPO provider for R2R, O2C, and P2P performance
• Prepare audit materials and internal reports, ensuring compliance with EF’s internal control standards
• Contribute to standardization, automation, and system rollouts
• Work cross-functionally with regional, local, and centralized teams
• Collaborate with the Regional Finance Leadership and Regional Operations Team

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of finance or accounting experience
• Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance
• Strong technical understanding of accounting principles and controls
• Solid understanding of Spanish GAAP, VAT, and statutory requirements
• Solid understanding of GAAP, VAT, and statutory requirements in other EU countries is an advantage
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, international environment with evolving processes
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable taking ownership in a hands-on role
• Fluent in English and Spanish, both written and spoken
• Proficiency in Catalan or other European languages is an advantage.
• Experience in a matrix organization and/or shared service environment

Why Join Us?

We are looking for someone who wants to grow within EF over the long term and take increasing ownership over larger scopes.

Opportunity to shape and strengthen the finance function in a dynamic, international environment.

Supportive culture focused on professional growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Note: This role description is not exhaustive. Responsibilities and reporting lines may evolve to meet the changing needs of the organization.

About Us

Some companies are in the business of banking. Others are in the business of shoes. Or sports. Or soft drinks. At EF, we're in a different kind of business. One that's a little less tangible, and a lot more important. Because our business, what we make, makes everything else possible. We're in the business of understanding. Between people. Between cultures.

For over half a century we’ve been the leader in international educational programs and experiences designed to foster such understanding. Through language, cultural exchange, academic studies, and educational travel, we create the kinds of immersive experiences that challenge biases, open minds, and pave the way for a more understanding world.

You’ll find our offices and schools located in some of the world’s greatest cities, and filled with smart, driven people (over 50,000 of us) who push each other to be better every day. But it’s what we do together - building greater understanding, breaking down barriers, and creating a better world - that makes all the difference.

Founded in 1965 in Sweden, EF (Education First) is a global association of education companies that share a common mission of opening the world through education. EF has been recognized on Forbes 2025 and 2024 World’s Best Employers and 2024 Top Companies for Women lists, Fast Company’s 2025 Next Big Things In Tech, and was a 2024 App Store Award winner in Cultural Impact.