General Ledger Specialist

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; San Juan; On-site; PHP 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Job summary

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operates a Manila Shared Service Center seeking a General Ledger Accounting Specialist (Sr. Accountant). The role drives MEC, complex GL, and process improvements while partnering with local finance teams.

Strong SAP knowledge and IFRS/GAAP expertise are essential, with 5–8 years of GL experience and English fluency. Based in Manila, the candidate will support audits, maintain data integrity, and mentor junior staff, potentially working mid to night shifts as MEC

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting required.
• Master’s degree in finance/accounting or CPA preferred.
• 5–8 years of general ledger accounting experience.
• Profound accounting knowledge (IFRS/GAAP/Tax).
• Experience in a Shared Services Center is a plus.
• ERP experience with SAP or similar systems required.
• Fluent English language skills essential.
• Willing to be based in BGC, Taguig and work night shifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead Month-End Close (MEC) for complex entities and meet deadlines.
• Prepare and analyze high-quality financial statements and reports.
• Oversee GL master data integrity and reconcile high‑risk accounts.
• Support audits, internal controls, and SOX/ICFR compliance.
• Drive process improvements through automation and SAP upgrades.
• Mentor junior GL accountants and maintain SOPs.

Skills

Fluent English

Automation tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting

Master’s degree in Finance/Accounting or CPA

Tools

SAP

Oracle

iScala

Job description

Job Description:

Work Your Magic with us! Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. Thats why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

Your Role:

As General LedgerAccounting Specialist (Sr. Accountant), you will drive operational excellence and financial integrity for your assigned entities. Moving beyond routine execution, you will own complex accounting treatments, lead Month-End Close (MEC) orchestrations, ensure strict compliance with local and Group policies, and serve as a key business partner to local entity finance teams. You will also act as a mentor to junior accountants and a catalyst for continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Ownership & Reporting Excellence
  • Lead and orchestrate the Month-End Close (MEC) process for complex assigned entities, ensuring all activities are executed accurately and within strict deadlines.
  • Prepare, review, and analyze high-quality financial statements and management reports for both local entity finance and Group Accounting.
  • Perform deep-dive process analysis, variance commentary, and balance sheet reviews to provide actionable insights into financial health.

• Complex Accounting & Master Data Governance
  • Manage high-complexity GL activities, including specialized accruals, complex payroll/benefits accounting, and sensitive journal entries.
  • Oversee and approve the reconciliation of critical, high-risk accounts, ensuring timely resolution of open items.
  • Act as a gatekeeper for GL master data integrity, ensuring compliance with global charting and reporting standards.

• Audit, Compliance & Risk Management
  • Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external auditors (working with ABPs); prepare comprehensive audit schedules, pre-audit analyses, and resolve complex audit queries.
  • Ensure all processes strictly adhere to internal controls (SOX/ICFR), Group accounting policies, and local statutory regulations.

• Process Optimization & Technology Driving
  • Identify, design, and implement process excellence initiatives (automation, standardization, and workflow simplification) to reduce MEC cycle times.
  • Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for ERP upgrades, migrations, or GL-related system implementations.
  • Track, analyze, and report on team operational metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

• Stakeholder Management & Escalation Resolution
  • Act as the first point of escalation for complex operational issues, collaborating effectively with local entity CFOs/Finance Directors to drive swift resolutions.
  • Foster strong, consultative partnerships with cross-functional teams (ABP, Subledger, P2P, I2C, Treasury) to ensure end-to-end process alignment.

• Leadership & Capability Building
  • Provide guidance, mentorship, and technical support to junior GL accountants, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
  • Develop and maintain up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training documentation.

Location:

Manila Shared Service Center

Reports To:

GL Team Lead / Manager

Who You Are:

• Bachelors degree holder in finance, accounting or any related field required
• Master’s Degree in Finance / Accounting or CPA accreditation preferred
• At least 5 - 8 years of experience in General Ledger Accounting Operations
• Profound accounting knowledge required (IFRS, GAAP, Tax)
• Experience within a Shared Services Center preferred
• Experience with SAP or other ERP system required (Oracle, iScala, and others)
• Fluent English language skills required
• Willing to be based in BGC, Taguig
• Amenable to work on a mid shift / night shift schedule (varying shifts every MEC and NONMEC
• Experience in VBA or other automation tools

What we offer:

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!