financial accountant.

Are you curious about what to expect as a financial accountant? Your tasks will depend on whether you work in a large company or a small business. Nevertheless, there are some typical responsibilities you should master. Find out more about your role as a financial accountant here.

In small businesses, you as a financial accountant are a real all-rounder. Larger companies and global corporations tend to rely more on specialists. In those environments, you need in-depth knowledge in specific areas. Possible specializations include:

• Payroll and HR administrator: As a payroll administrator, you play an important role within the company. Employees rely on their salary being paid on time and accurately. You take care of processing the payroll, preparing the salary statements, and monitoring the payment runs. Sales staff receive their expense reimbursements promptly. If an employee is unable to work due to illness or accident, you handle the communication with the social insurance providers.
• Controller: If you specialise as a controller, you always keep an eye on the company's financial situation. You advise senior management and prepare planning guidelines. Through financial analyses, you identify potential savings. Your job as a Controller is to regularly inform management about the economic situation.
• Trustee: In this area, you have in-depth knowledge of accounting. You prepare operational and cost accounting, income statements, and balance sheets. You analyze annual financial statements and recommend operational measures to management. As a trustee, you are well-versed in tax matters. You accurately prepare tax returns and VAT declarations. Additionally, you are a competent contact person for restructuring and business succession planning.
• Real estate accountant: In this field, everything revolves around properties. As a specialized accountant, you're familiar with tenancy law, ancillary costs, and property accounting. You calculate, budget, and record the inflows and outflows of assets. When it comes to renovations and refurbishments, there are always special cases. Therefore, tools like rent reductions and deferrals are well known to you.

The popular job platforms in Switzerland show a high salary level for financial accountants. Especially with several years of professional experience and certainty in closing accounts according to the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), you are a sought-after specialist. Your education and area of activity play a significant role in this. With a diploma, you earn less than with a master's degree. As a recognized expert in a specific field, you can command a top salary. Large companies expect more from you than a bookkeeper and pay a higher base salary in return. Depending on the location, responsibilities, and company, your starting salary ranges between CHF 60,000 and CHF 80,000 per year. That’s roughly CHF 5,000 to CHF 6,700 per month. To attract skilled professionals like you, some companies offer attractive employment conditions and development opportunities. Find out more about your gross salary as a financial accountant here.

As a financial accountant, you need solid professional expertise. Generally, you begin your career with basic training as a commercial clerk (EFZ). As an accounting assistant, you gain your first practical experience in accounting, performing simple postings and supporting experienced accountants. After several years of professional experience, you will be well positioned to continue your education to become a financial accountant. It goes without saying that in this profession you must have no entries in the central criminal register. A good overview of continuing education programmes can be found through the Association for Higher Examinations in accounting and controlling. Depending on the provider, you complete your training after three to six semesters. You then earn the title of financial and accounting specialist with a federal diploma. This qualification gives you excellent prospects for a management position. With a university entrance qualification (Matura), you can also pursue further studies leading to a master’s degree. After that, your management career in business is virtually unstoppable.

Financial accountants with specialised expertise and professional experience are in high demand. In small and medium-sized enterprises, you take on a leadership role in accounting. Depending on your focus, you may work in private companies, public administrations, or with fiduciaries. Every business and NGO relies on accountants, so you’ll find secure jobs across all sectors. Controllers and fiduciaries are mainly sought after by large companies and corporations. Are you looking for an attractive position with prospects? Take a look at our current openings for financial accountants.

Only with specialised knowledge will you succeed as a financial accountant. Typically, this involves completing an EFZ apprenticeship in commercial studies with a focus on accounting. After several years of professional experience, you can further develop your expertise in your field. Having a master's degree provides excellent prospects for a rapid career progression. However, as a career changer with experience in accounting, you are also in demand within companies. Any missing skills can be acquired through seminars and on-the-job training.

Numbers are your calling, and you can't imagine a more interesting profession than being a financial accountant? Then build your career in accounting. As a financial expert, you also have good opportunities for advancement across the entire commercial sector. Decide whether you prefer to specialise or pursue a career within companies. Education centres, higher technical colleges, and universities of applied sciences offer numerous options. As a certified banking specialist HF, you have good prospects in banking and financial planning. Certified tax and fiduciary experts are highly sought-after employees in corporations. If you're aiming for a management position, it's best to complete a degree. With a Bachelor of Science (FH) in international management & economics, all doors are open to you. Want to develop further as a financial accountant? Check out our tests and tips.

As a successful financial accountant, you handle numbers perfectly. Other important skills include:

• IT skills: As a financial accountant, you appreciate the digital support provided by specific software. Depending on the level of digitalisation within the company, you will have more or less interaction with IT systems. However, you always master MS Office and the accounting software in use. Nowadays, IT systems handle numerous tasks, such as recording and archiving accounting documents. You review the data generated by machines, utilise analysis tools, and are open to modern technologies.
• Analytical thinking: In financial accounting, everything revolves around numbers. You record, analyse, and understand them. From the analysis, you draw the right conclusions. Usually, you use BI tools for queries. You present the results to management. They form the basis for business decisions. With BI tools, for example, it’s possible to create variance analyses and define measures.
• Team spirit: Your finance team is made up of individuals with different personalities. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. As a senior accountant, you ensure that each person contributes to the company's success. That’s why you promote team spirit and create a work environment where everyone feels comfortable.
• Integrity: As a financial accountant, you always stay true to your values. You are the rock in the storm for senior management, guided by strong moral principles. That’s why management and business partners trust you. You respect applicable laws and fulfill the required accounting obligations. You keep all documents properly organized. You lead by example for your team.

There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as a financial accountant:

✓ exciting jobs with well-known companies
✓ a reliable contact person whenever you need one, personal advice really matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ continuing education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? Often, there’s a chance to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many popular companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad

your professional development budget as a financial accountant at randstad.

If you work as a financial accountant for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. As part of the TempTraining program from swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will get the course fees reimbursed later, provided you pass the course exam. Your consultant from Randstad is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job-specific knowledge, all during your working hours as a financial accountant.

Have you found your dream job as a financial accountant? It’s not just qualifications and certificates that determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalized documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to improve your chances:

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the job of a financial accountant.