Senior General Ledger Accountant

The Senior GL Accountant is a key member of the Brno General Ledger team, responsible for accurate accounting, strong internal controls, month-end close discipline, audit readiness and continuous improvement for assigned EMEA legal entities. The role requires a senior professional who combines technical accounting expertise with ownership, clear communication, project delivery mindset and the ability to build trust across the organization. 

The successful candidate acts as a trusted partner to the GL Manager, supports Accounting department priorities and helps translate strategic objectives into practical actions and measurable outcomes. The role also requires the ability to step in as backup for the GL Manager when needed, supporting team coordination, close priorities, open items and stakeholder communication. 

Key Responsibilities 

Accounting, Close and Controls 

• Own end-to-end GL accounting activities for assigned entities, including month-end, quarter-end and year-end close. 

• Prepare, review and post journal entries such as accruals, prepayments, payroll, allocations, intercompany, cash/bank, fixed assets and ad hoc adjustments. 

• Ensure financial results are accurate, complete, properly supported and compliant with Novanta policies, US GAAP, SOX and internal controls. 

• Prepare high-quality balance sheet reconciliations, investigate unusual balances and identify root causes, hidden risks or control gaps. 

• Support quarterly balance sheet reviews, FCCS  reporting activities, internal and external audits, SOX control execution and updates of SOPs and process documentation. 

Process Improvement and Project Ownership 

• Actively challenge existing processes and identify opportunities for simplification, standardization, automation, stronger controls and better visibility. 

• Take ownership of selected Accounting / Finance improvement projects from initial analysis through implementation and stabilization. 

• Drive progress independently, prioritize actions, follow up on owners, remove blockers, communicate status and deliver practical, measurable outcomes. 

• Demonstrates ability to convert ideas and improvement opportunities into implemented and sustainable solutions. 

• Embraces change, actively supports transformation initiatives and remains effective as priorities, deadlines and business needs evolve. 

• Use data, KPIs and process analysis to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies and opportunities to move selected close tasks earlier in the close cycle. 

Communication, Trust and Stakeholder Management 

• Communicate clearly, effectively and professionally with stakeholders across all organizational levels, from junior colleagues to senior management. 

• Adjust communication style, level of detail and messaging to suit the audience, urgency and business context. 

• Build credibility and trust through transparency, responsiveness, reliable execution and sound professional judgment. 

• Present accounting topics, risks, recommendations and project updates in a structured way, including issue, impact, required action, owner and timeline. 

• Collaborate with GL, AP, AR, Tax, Payroll, Treasury, FP&A, Business Units, Corporate Accounting, IT and external auditors. 

Team Support, Technology and Development 

• Support colleagues through knowledge sharing, practical guidance and constructive feedback when quality, accuracy or communication does not meet expectations. 

• Positively influences others without formal authority through credibility, expertise, communication and example. 

• Use advanced Excel and technology to improve efficiency and insight; Power Query, Power BI, Smartsheet, AI tools, Oracle/SAP and FCCS  are advantages. 

• Use AI and automation responsibly as productivity enablers, while maintaining strong accounting judgment, review discipline and professional skepticism. 

• Continuously develops technical, business and leadership capabilities and remains adaptable to new tools and ways of working. 

Your Experience, Skills and Competencies 

• Minimum 4–6 years of relevant GL accounting experience, preferably in a multinational company or shared service center environment. 
• Strong knowledge of GL accounting, US GAAP, journal entries, reconciliations, intercompany, fixed assets, accruals, prepayments, reporting and audit support. 
• Strong understanding of SOX, internal controls, approval discipline and accounting documentation standards. 
• Proven experience driving process improvement, automation, reporting, standardization or finance transformation initiatives; ability to manage small to medium-sized projects independently. 
• Fluent English, strong analytical thinking, high accuracy, ownership, integrity, resilience under pressure and ability to influence without formal authority.
• Friendly, collaborative and growth-oriented personality with positive attitude toward change, adaptability in a dynamic environment and genuine interest in helping the Accounting organization improve. 
• Eligible to work legally in Czech republic (permanent residency / free access to the job market)

Critical Success Factors 

• Delivers accurate, timely and high-quality accounting results with minimal rework. 
• Identifies risks and issues before they become escalations and communicates them clearly. 
• Drives projects and process improvements from idea through implementation and measurable results. 
• Builds trust with colleagues, business partners and management through reliability, clarity and professional judgment. 
• Supports change proactively, adapts quickly to evolving priorities and helps others adopt new ways of working. 
• Acts as a trusted senior team member and reliable backup to the GL Manager when required. 

Our Benefits

• Extra week of vacation (25 days/year)
• 5 sick days per calendar year
• 1 day of paid time off for charitable activities/year
• Flexi Pass vouchers with a nominal value of 1000 CZK/month
• Contribution to supplementary pension insurance 1000 CZK/month (after the probationary period)
• Flexible working hours (core 10 – 15:00)
• Meal vouchers in the form of a flat rate – monetary value (129,50 CZK/day)
• Monetary allowance for working from home (max. 2 days/week)
• MultiSport for only 300 CZK/month
• Bonuses for recommending a new employee up to CZK 110,000
• Free refreshments at the workplace (juice, hot drinks – great coffee, tea; healthy snacks and fruit/vegetables 2 times a week)
• Training, language courses, career advancement
• Dog-friendly office, Family-friendly environment
• Corporate events – Summer Party, Christmas Party, Family Day, SportDay, Board Game Afternoon, Meet & Greet and more
• Free parking for employees and shower at the workplace for athletes

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