Head of Accounting & Tax (gn)

Your mission

1. Financial Accounting & Statutory Reporting
Take overall responsibility for general ledger accounting, financial statements, and statutory reporting for the German legal entities, ensuring compliance with German Commercial Code (HGB), applicable German GAAP requirements, and other relevant regulations. Ensure the timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, provisions, intercompany accounting, and fixed asset accounting. Lead the preparation and coordination of annual statutory financial statements ( Jahresabschlüsse ) and management of the associated filing and disclosure requirements. Establish robust accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and documentation standards to ensure consistent application of accounting principles and a high level of financial integrity. Oversee the monthly and annual closing processes, continuously improving efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness. Ensure appropriate accounting treatment of complex transactions, including revenue recognition, intercompany transactions, leases, provisions, and business combinations, in collaboration with the CFO and external advisors as required. Support group consolidation and reporting, including the preparation of HGB-to-IFRS reconciliations and reporting packages where applicable. 2. Tax Compliance & Governance
Take responsibility for the coordination and oversight of all relevant German tax compliance obligations, ensuring accurate and timely preparation, review, and submission of tax returns and declarations. Oversee corporate income tax ( Körperschaftsteuer ), trade tax ( Gewerbesteuer ), VAT ( Umsatzsteuer ), wage tax ( Lohnsteuer ), and other applicable tax obligations. Ensure appropriate tax treatment and documentation of intercompany transactions, transfer pricing arrangements, and cross-border transactions in coordination with group stakeholders and external tax advisors. Monitor changes in German tax legislation and regulatory requirements, assess their impact on the business, and implement appropriate measures to maintain compliance. Manage relationships with tax authorities and external tax advisors, including the coordination of tax audits, tax assessments, and the resolution of tax-related matters. Identify and manage tax risks, maintain appropriate tax documentation, and implement processes to strengthen tax governance and reduce compliance exposure. Advise the CFO and relevant stakeholders on tax implications of business decisions, legal entity changes, financing structures, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions. 3. Audit, Internal Controls & Financial Compliance
Act as the primary finance contact for external auditors, tax advisors, and relevant regulatory authorities, coordinating statutory audits and ensuring the timely provision of complete and accurate documentation. Ensure audit readiness throughout the year through sound accounting records, well-documented processes, and effective balance sheet controls. Develop, implement, and maintain an appropriate internal control framework covering accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, and relevant finance processes. Identify control weaknesses, accounting risks, and compliance gaps, and implement corrective actions in collaboration with the CFO and relevant business stakeholders. Ensure compliance with applicable German statutory requirements, filing deadlines, documentation obligations, and record-retention requirements. Support the development of group-wide finance policies and controls, ensuring alignment between German statutory requirements and group reporting standards. 4. Group Reporting & International Coordination
Coordinate with Controlling, FP&A, and other key stakeholders to ensure consistency between statutory accounts, management reporting, and group reporting requirements. Support the preparation of group reporting packages and, where applicable, IFRS reporting and reconciliation requirements. Ensure appropriate accounting and tax treatment of intercompany balances, cross-border transactions, and group financing arrangements. Contribute to the harmonization of accounting policies, reporting processes, and internal controls across entities and jurisdictions. Provide technical accounting and tax guidance to the CFO and international stakeholders on German-specific requirements. 5. Process Improvement & Systems
Review and continuously improve accounting, tax, and financial reporting processes to enhance accuracy, efficiency, transparency, and scalability. Strengthen the use of ERP systems, accounting tools, and reporting solutions to improve data quality, automate routine activities, and support reliable financial reporting. Standardize closing procedures, account reconciliation processes, documentation, and financial control activities across the German entities. Support finance transformation initiatives, including system implementations, process harmonization, and the integration of newly acquired entities where applicable. Ensure that accounting and tax processes can scale with the organization's growth and evolving requirements as a private equity-backed business. 6. Team Leadership & Business Partnership
Lead, develop, and strengthen the accounting and tax function, establishing clear responsibilities, robust processes, and a culture of accountability and compliance. Provide technical guidance and support to the finance team on complex accounting, statutory reporting, and tax matters. Work closely with the CFO, FP&A, HR, Legal, and operational teams to ensure accurate financial information, effective controls, and timely resolution of accounting and tax matters. Translate complex accounting and tax requirements into practical business guidance and communicate financial risks clearly to senior management. Support the CFO in maintaining a high standard of financial governance and organizational readiness for external audits, acquisitions, and other significant corporate events.

Your profile

Professional Experience
Extensive experience in financial accounting, statutory reporting, and tax compliance in Germany, ideally gained in a complex, multi-entity or international business environment. Strong and demonstrable expertise in HGB, including the preparation and review of German statutory financial statements. Solid knowledge of German corporate tax, trade tax, VAT, and related tax compliance requirements. Proven experience managing external audits, tax advisors, statutory reporting deadlines, and interactions with auditors and tax authorities. Experience in IFRS environments Experience in a private equity-backed, acquisitive, or rapidly growing business is an advantage. Experience in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, biotechnology, or CRO sector is beneficial but not essential. Qualifications
Degree in business administration, accounting, finance, tax, or a comparable field. German Steuerberater (StB) and/or Wirtschaftsprüfer (WP) qualification strongly preferred. Experience in a Big Four audit or tax practice is highly desirable, particularly with exposure to HGB statutory audits, German corporate taxation, and international group structures. IFRS knowledge and practical experience with group reporting, consolidation, or HGB-to-IFRS reconciliations are a significant advantage. Fluent German and strong English skills, both written and spoken.

Why us?

An industry leader at an inflection point, with considerable growth and expanding capabilities ahead. An organization positioned for disruptive changes in the CRO market. Detail oriented with strong organizational skills. An innovative field of work in an exciting industry. A long-term, responsible position in a healthy, growing and future-oriented company. Comprehensive onboarding to prepare you optimally for your area of responsibility. Multicultural teams and an open corporate culture. A competitive salary.

Contact Details

Proteros biostructures GmbH
People Team
Bunsenstr. 7a, 82152 Martinsried
+49 89 700761 0
[email protected]