Account Manager - German Speaking

CodeConnect Staffing; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

CodeConnect Staffing is seeking a German-speaking Account Manager to join its Client Services team in Johannesburg. You will manage a portfolio of German clients across VAT reclaim and compliance, acting as the primary contact and coordinating communications with the German Tax Authority.

The role requires strong client management, finance/tax understanding, and a proactive, detail-focused approach in a hybrid/on-site setting in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.

Qualifications

• Fluent German required for client communication.
• 3–5 years in a client-facing, account management, financial, tax, or professional services environment.
• Strong finance and tax knowledge with high accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to multitask across portfolios and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of clients in Germany across VAT reclaim and compliance services.
• Be the primary day-to-day contact for assigned clients, building strong relationships.
• Coordinate client documentation and submissions to ensure efficient processing.
• Review documentation for completeness and compliance before submission.
• Manage tax authority queries from receipt to resolution, within timeframes.
• Onboard new clients and guide first submission within agreed timelines.

Skills

German fluency

Client relationship mgmt

Finance & tax understanding

Communication skills

Multitasking

Process management

Analytical thinking

Commercial awareness

Education

Accounting/Finance/Tax/Law/Business degree

CA(SA) or admitted Attorneys (German capability) encouraged

Job description

Job Specifics

• Location: Melrose Arch, Johannesburg
• Work Model: On-site/Hybrid as applicable
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Language Requirement: Fluent German

About the Role

CodeConnect Staffing is recruiting on behalf of a global organisation operating within the tax and financial services environment for a German-Speaking Account Manager to join its Client Services team.

This is a highly client-focused role responsible for managing a portfolio of clients operating in Germany across both VAT reclaim and compliance services. The Account Manager will act as the primary point of contact for clients and will manage the majority of communication between their portfolio and the German Tax Authority.

The successful candidate will combine strong client relationship management skills with a solid understanding of finance and tax. They will be responsible for ensuring clients receive a high standard of service, submissions and queries are managed effectively, processes run efficiently, and opportunities to maximise value across the portfolio are identified.

The position requires someone who is academically strong, commercially aware, highly organised and comfortable taking ownership of complex client matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of clients operating in Germany across VAT reclaim and compliance services.
• Act as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned clients, building strong and professional long-term relationships.
• Manage the majority of communication and queries between clients and the German Tax Authority.
• Own the client journey from onboarding through to ongoing service delivery and account management.
• Manage client onboarding and ensure new clients progress to their first submission within agreed timelines.
• Coordinate client documentation, submissions and outstanding information to ensure efficient processing.
• Review documentation for completeness and compliance before submission.
• Manage tax authority queries from receipt through to resolution, ensuring responses are accurate, complete and submitted within required timeframes.
• Keep clients informed throughout the process and elevate complex or high-value matters where appropriate.
• Manage multiple client portfolios across different industries while maintaining service quality and attention to detail.
• Identify inefficiencies and opportunities to streamline client and internal processes.
• Monitor submission timelines, outstanding documentation and potential bottlenecks, taking proactive action to resolve issues.
• Work closely with internal processing, tax, legal and other specialist teams to resolve client matters.
• Maintain accurate client forecasts and prepare professional, meaningful client reporting.
• Manage contract renewals and relevant commercial processes.
• Identify potential growth, upsell and cross-sell opportunities within the existing client portfolio.

Key Requirements

• Fluent German is essential.
• 3-5 years' experience in a client-facing, account management, financial, tax, legal or professional services environment.
• Strong understanding of the finance and tax environment.
• Excellent client relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple client portfolios, priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong process management skills with the ability to identify and implement efficiencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to understand the financial value associated with client accounts.
• Experience within financial services, tax, VAT reclaim or professional services would be advantageous, in line with the client's original requirements.

Education and Academic Requirements

• A strong academic track record is important for this position. Candidates should be able to demonstrate consistently good academic performance.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications within areas such as Accounting, Finance, Tax, Law, Business or a related discipline will be considered.
• Newly qualified Chartered Accountants (CA(SA)) and admitted Attorneys with the required German language capability and an interest in developing within a client-facing tax and financial services environment are also encouraged to apply.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Builds credibility and strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Takes full ownership and accountability for their portfolio.
• Is comfortable working within a detailed, process-driven finance and tax environment.
• Can communicate professionally with clients, internal specialists and tax authorities.
• Is proactive and identifies potential issues before they affect the client.
• Can manage complexity across multiple clients and industries without losing attention to detail.
• Looks for ways to streamline processes and improve service delivery.
• Is commercially aware and understands the value delivered to clients.
• Has a strong academic foundation and demonstrates intellectual curiosity and the ability to learn complex subject matter quickly.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means maintaining strong client relationships while ensuring VAT reclaim and compliance matters move efficiently through the required processes. Clients should be onboarded smoothly, submissions should progress within agreed timelines, German Tax Authority queries should be handled accurately and promptly, and potential issues should be addressed before they escalate.

The Account Manager will also be expected to maintain accurate forecasts and reporting, keep client pipelines progressing and proactively identify opportunities to deliver additional value across the portfolio.

Please note: Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not received feedback within two weeks of submitting your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.