Job Description: Bookkeeper & Purchasing Officer
Role Summary
The Bookkeeper & Purchasing Officer is a vital dual-function role responsible for maintaining the financial integrity of the company while managing the procurement lifecycle. You will handle daily financial record-keeping using the SKR04 Chart of Accounts and leverage ERP systems to bridge the gap between inventory needs and financial reporting.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Bookkeeping (SKR04)
- General Ledger Management: Record and categorize all daily financial transactions (purchases, expenses, sales, and receipts) according to the SKR04 (bilanzorientiert) framework.
- Accounts Payable & Receivable: Process vendor bills, manage customer invoicing, and conduct regular payment runs. Monitor aging reports and follow up on outstanding collections.
- Reconciliations: Perform monthly bank and credit card reconciliations within the ERP system to ensure accurate cash-flow tracking.
- Financial Reporting: Assist in preparing monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial statements, including Balance Sheets and Profit & Loss (P&L) reports.
- Tax Compliance: Manage VAT (Vorsteuer/Umsatzsteuer) entries and support the preparation of tax returns in compliance with local regulations.
Purchasing & Procurement
- Vendor Management: Research potential suppliers, negotiate terms, and maintain strong relationships to ensure cost-efficiency and product quality.
- Purchase Cycle: Issue Purchase Orders (POs) through the ERP system and match them against incoming deliveries and vendor invoices ("three-way matching").
- Inventory Control: Coordinate with warehouse or production teams to track stock levels, manage reordering rules, and resolve any supply discrepancies.
- Procurement Strategy: Analyze spending patterns to identify cost-saving opportunities and optimize the company's purchasing workflows.
Technical Requirements & Qualifications
- ERP Expertise: Extensive experience operating within an ERP environment is required. You must be comfortable managing integrated modules for accounting, purchasing, and inventory.
- Software Preference: Direct experience with Odoo (Accounting, Purchase, and Inventory modules) is strongly preferred. Candidates with experience in similar systems (e.g., SAP, Microsoft Dynamics) who are willing to learn Odoo will also be considered.
- Accounting Framework: Proven proficiency with the SKR04 Chart of Accounts. You should understand its balance-sheet-oriented structure to ensure audit-ready record-keeping.
- Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
- Experience: 3+ years of experience in a bookkeeping or procurement-heavy role.
Essential Skills
- High Precision: Exceptional attention to detail in data entry and financial calculations.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to identify trends in spending and resolve complex transaction discrepancies.
- Communication: Professional verbal and written communication skills for negotiating with vendors and reporting to management in German, with some proficiency in English.
- Integrity: Ability to handle sensitive financial information with total confidentiality and transparency.