The Principal Directorate Administration of the Reserve Funds (PD 0.5) contributes to the long-term financial stability of the European Patent Organisation by taking on responsibility for the investment activities related to the Reserve Funds for Pensions and Social Security (RFPSS). In view of the size of the reserve funds, currently valued at about EUR 12bn, the results achieved through management of the RFPSS investments are of vital importance for the financial health of the Organisation. The Fund Administrator, together with fund administration staff, implements the strategy adopted by the Supervisory Board as well as the relevant investment policy within the framework of appropriate risk controls and risk management methods.

The principal directorate, which has around 20 staff in four departments,, is currently looking for a Senior Fund Accountant to join its Accounting and Internal Control department. In this role, you will be responsible for checking that the investment activity of the portfolio managers complies in content and form with all regulations applying to the RFPSS and for ensuring the settlement and accounting of all transactions and receipt of the correct and complete investment income.

With us you will:

• monitor daily the execution of trades by portfolio managers and prepare, review and approve journal entries
• calculate the net asset value of the different reserve funds; check the correct valuation of the assets (prices), ensure the accuracy of the financial figures and process the monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports in accordance with current IFRS regulations for the Fund Administrator and the EPO's Finance department
• monitor and, where necessary with the help of the custodian bank, claim receipt of income receivable to and tax recoverable by the RFPSS 

• analyse and implement complex and non-standard cases such as new financial instruments and non-standard corporate actions; set up new procedures in the accounting system according to IFRS and co-ordinate with other units in the principal directorate 

• participate in projects contributing to the overall operating efficiency of the principal directorate with a view to optimising processes and minimising risks, documenting and reviewing internal processes and procedures, engineering suitable work solutions, and generating ideas and proposals for workflow improvement
• monitor the application of regulations (relevant EU and specific RFPSS regulations); ensure the uniform and effective application of accounting principles 

• assist with enquiries from management and other colleagues, liaise with other EPO units; support requests from internal and external audit staff; supervise the work of external service providers 

• deputise for the RFPSS accounting and compliance officer

Apply if you have:

• diploma of completed studies at bachelor's level in accounting/economics/finance or equivalent professional experience acquired over many years in the relevant field 

• at least five years of experience in financial accounting and reporting, preferably with specialisation in funds accounting or financial instruments 
• a good knowledge of standard office IT applications and accounting modules for investment funds or financial instruments
• ideally practical experience in working with Master fund structures
• capacity to perform with the highest standards of integrity even under pressure 
• a thorough understanding of regulations and compliance
• ability to work well both independently and as a member of a team
• strong communication skills, both orally and in writing, and good presentation skills 

Our minimum requirements for this post:

• Diploma of completed studies at bachelor's level or equivalent or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience.
• Working knowledge of two official languages. Alternatively, working knowledge of one official language (in such cases, the willingness to learn the missing language and to reach level B2 within a set time frame would be required) .
• Citizenship of one of the member states of the European Patent Organisation.

Process:

Candidates are kindly asked to upload an updated CV and outline their motivation in the designated application field (character limit 4000). If so wished, the motivation letter can also be uploaded as a Word or pdf attachment under "Application document" in SuccessFactors. In this case, please indicate in the designated field "Please refer to attached motivation letter".

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications, competencies, professional experience and language knowledge, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire.

A reserve list may be constituted, should more candidates than required at this time be considered suitable following the selection procedure. Such reserve lists are valid for 18 months and reserve list candidates may be contacted, should a vacancy with substantially the same profile arise during that period.

More information on how we recruit can be found on our EPO jobs and careers site.

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Key information

Job group: 5

Grade: G7 to G9 (net (basic) monthly salary* for this vacancy: EUR 5 901 to 8 573, depending on experience and location) 

Duration of appointment: Five years, with the possibility of extension

Career path: Technical 

Location: Office-wide 

Application deadline: 29 October 2024

Interviews planned for: Week commencing 4 November 2024

* after deduction of EPO-internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social security and pension schemes.