Job Description

The Senior Accountant works in a complex international set‐up of entities managed and incorporated in Switzerland. The Senior Accountant will be working as the main point of contact for various commercial, financial holding and manufacturing companies. This role is responsible for overseeing general accounting operations, ensuring the accuracy of financial records, and supporting month-end and year-end close processes. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of accounting principles, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments.

Responsibilities:

• Ensures timely, accurate booking and justification of accounting transactions and ensures accuracy, integrity and adherence to accounting standards (US GAAP, Swiss Code of Obligations, IFRS.)

• Supports the preparation of the annual statutory and tax reporting, including preparation of statutory consolidated financials, and provide respective documentation and assistance during the statutory audit.

• Plays a key role in internal and external audit engagements.

• Maintain and improve internal controls and accounting procedures.

• Acts as the primary contact person for key accounting judgments and complex transactions.

• Actively collaborates with the Business Services Center on transactional-level activities.

• Prepares and provides financial reviews and status updates to senior management on a regular basis.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Solid knowledge and experience with accounting principles (US GAAP, IFRS and Swiss Code of Obligation).

• Affinity towards ERP systems, preferably experienced with SAP (FI/CO) and proficient in Excel.

• Demonstrated effective communication skills.

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and ability to understand financial statements.

• Proactive, able to adapt to a fast-changing environment and manage relationships.

• Works effectively with key-stakeholders across divisions and different levels of management.

• Fluent in English and German is a plus.

• Has a professional attitude and works well independently as well as in a team.

• Results oriented, hardworking and committed to achieve objectives.

• Ability to think critically and solve complex problems.

THE COMPANY

Our Company has had a presence in Switzerland since 1963. With a regional office and manufacturing/packaging facility, Lucerne is considered the center of operations. Approximately 1,000 people work collaboratively at the four Lucerne locations (Tribschenstrasse, Citybay, Schachen and Kriens). A fifth location has been established in Zurich, aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of many of our company’s medicines and vaccines, which supports our mission to save and improve lives around the world.

We are proud to be certified as a “Top Employer Switzerland” and “Top Employer Europe” showing the company’s commitment to our employees and the community around us.

Our Tribschenstrasse office, located in the city of Luzern has a rich diversity of employees at this location including Global Supply Chain Management, Regional External Manufacturing and one of our European Finance Hubs. The site also serves as our regional and local headquarters of our company’s Animal Health Division in Switzerland.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Required Skills:

Accounting Applications, Accounting Applications, Accounting Operations, Adaptability, Audit Engagements, Budget Variance Analysis, Complex Transactions, Credit Management, Credit Risk Assessment, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Financial Accounting Controls, Financial Data Reporting, Financial Forecasting, Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), Financial Recordkeeping, Financial Review, General Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), IS Audit, Payroll Management, Preparation of Financial Reports, Professional Integrity, Project Risk Assessments, SAP Consulting, Stakeholder Relationship Management {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

12/27/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.