Accounting/Auditing

Asset Accountant - European Organization for Nuclear Research (Geneva)

Contract TypeContract Agent

About this position

The summary below is published by European Organization for Nuclear Research on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature.

Introduction

Within CERN’s Finance and Administrative Processes Department (FAP), specifically the Accounting Services Group.We are looking for a dynamic person to join our General Accounting (GA) section and play an active role in the accounting of CERN’s tangible and intangible assets, as well as its inventories. You will also support broader financial reporting activities and exciting accounting projects. There will be a particular focus on Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE).

As an experienced Accountant, you will join a team of seven professionals and play a key role in all activities related to asset accounting.

Functions

You will:

- Coordinate regular register(s) updates and reviews of useful lives and residual…

Excerpt shown; read the full notice on the official page. The structured breakdown below covers the key facts.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

  • Coordinate regular register updates and reviews of useful lives and residual values with other CERN stakeholders
  • Analyse CERN projects to identify new assets or consolidation/upgrade of existing assets
  • Perform accounting entries related to movements of assets, depreciation/amortisation, and impairment tests
  • Support the ongoing ERP transformation project touching the areas of asset accounting and financial accounts
  • Perform balance sheet account reconciliations, including reconciliation of assets register(s) to financial accounts
  • Maintain policies, procedures, and controls to ensure efficient, accurate, and compliant asset accounting
  • Coordinate physical assets counts
  • Support external auditors queries

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

  • Education: Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Accounting, Finance or a related field
  • Experience: Proven experience as a general accountant with a focus on asset accounting, such as Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE); Demonstrated experience with international accounting standards IFRS and/or IPSAS; Experience preferably acquired in a company handling large volumes of data or in an international organisation
  • Languages: English (spoken…), French (spoken…)
  • Key skills: Accounting control and analysis, Book-keeping and book-closing, Financial reporting and analysis, Handling large volumes of data, Achieving Results: structured and organised approach towards work; ability to set priorities and plan tasks with results in mind, Demonstrating Accountability: openness and honesty to interact constructively with others, Solving Problems: assimilating large quantities of information, identifying key issues and formulating conclusions clearly and concisely, Demonstrating Flexibility: willingness to accept changing circumstances; supporting initiatives for change, Managing Self: working well autonomously; taking on activities and tasks without prompting
  • Eligibility: Applications from all Member States and Associate Member States welcome; Accounting certification, such as ACA, CA, CPA, etc. required

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 5 years, with possibility to extend up to 8 years and eligibility for indefinite contract tenure.

Working arrangements: Hybrid.

Hiring unit: Finance and Administrative Processes Department (FAP), Accounting Services Group, General Accounting (GA) section.

Position details

Reference
FAP-ACC-GA-2026-214-LD
Last Verified
27 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Asset Accountant at CERN based in Geneva (Contract Agent). The vacancy reference is FAP-ACC-GA-2026-214-LD. The role falls under the Accounting/Auditing domain.

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature.

Introduction

Within CERN’s Finance and Administrative Processes Department (FAP), specifically the Accounting Services Group.We are looking for a dynamic person to join our General Accounting (GA) section and play an active role in the accounting of CERN’s tangible and intangible assets, as well as its inventories. You will also support broader financial reporting activities and exciting accounting projects. There will be a particular focus on Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE).

As an experienced Accountant, you will join a team of seven professionals and play a key role in all activities related to asset accounting.

Functions

You will:

- Coordinate regular register(s) updates and reviews of useful lives and residual values with other CERN stakeholders. - Analyse CERN projects to identify new assets or consolidation/upgrade of existing assets. - Perform accounting entries related to movements of assets, depreciation/amortisation, and impairment tests. - Support the ongoing ERP transformation project touching the areas of asset accounting and financial accounts. - Perform balance sheet account reconciliations, including a reconciliation of assets register(s) to financial accounts. - Maintain policies, procedures, and controls to ensure efficient, accurate, and compliant asset accounting. - Coordinate physical assets counts. - Support external auditors queries. - Support preparation of the Organization’s Financial Statements, including assets related notes and disclosures. - Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Accounting, Finance or a related field.

Accounting certification, such as ACA, CA, CPA, etc.

Experience:

- Proven experience as a general accountant with a focus on asset accounting, such as Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE). - Demonstrated experience with international accounting standards IFRS and/or IPSAS. - Experience preferably acquired in a company handling large volumes of data or in an international organisation.

Technical competencies:

- Accounting control and analysis,book-keeping and book-closing. - Financial reporting and analysis,handling large volumes of data.

Behavioural competencies:

- Achieving Results: having a structured and organised approach towards work; being able to set priorities and plan tasks with results in mind. - Demonstrating Accountability: using openness and honesty to interact constructively with others. - Solving Problems: assimilating large quantities of information, identifying key issues and formulating conclusions clearly and concisely. - Demonstrating Flexibility: demonstrating a willingness to accept changing circumstances; supporting initiatives for change. - Managing Self: working well autonomously; taking on activities and tasks without prompting.

Language skills:

Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the other language.

Eligibility and closing date:

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We welcome applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 24.11.2026 at 23:59 CET.

Employment Conditions

Contract type: Limited duration contract (5 years). Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

Job Flexibility: Hybrid

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: FAP-ACC-GA-2026-214-LD

Field of work: Finance, Control & Audit

Benchmark Job Title: Financial Professional

Global Benefits

- A competitive salary(tax free), increasing in line with your years of relevant experience. - 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure. - Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund. - Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances. - A relocation package (installation grant, removal, travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances. - Possibility to extend your contract up to 8 years + eligibility for indefinite contract tenure.

Overview of CERN -Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe!TAKE PART!

More information about us, here:careers.cern

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 27 October 2026, today.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 27 October 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at CERN see the CERN institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Geneva see our Geneva location page; for related vacancies in the Accounting/Auditing field browse our Accounting/Auditing domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.

Career trajectory

Career progression for this grade staff is governed by Articles 44 to 46 of the Staff Regulations (consolidated text on EUR-Lex) and Annex IB on the promotion procedure. Step increases are automatic every two years (Art. 44); grade promotion is competitive, based on the appraisal exercise (Art. 45) and the Career Development Review. For roles at CERN, progression to the next grade typically takes three to five years on merit, with two-yearly step increases in between. Article 46 governs the classification at recruitment, which sets the starting step within the grade (usually step 1 for external recruits without prior EU service, step 2 or 3 where relevant professional experience is recognised).
Mobility within the institutions is encouraged via the inter-institutional and intra-institutional vacancy publication system: temporary agents who pass the probation period and reservists from EPSO laureate lists can typically apply to internal vacancies after one year of service. Lateral moves between Directorates-General reset the seniority clock for promotion only if the new post carries a different grade.

Language profile

Beyond the formal language requirements stated in the vacancy notice, the day-to-day working languages at this employer are English and French in roughly equal measure, with German appearing in some technical files. Internal meetings and most policy drafting in Brussels run in English; French remains the preferred internal language in Luxembourg-based services and parts of DG TRADE.

Application cadence

CERN has not advertised another comparable role with the same grade and Accounting/Auditing signature in the past twenty-four months. This opening has rarely been seen on the EU Careers feed and may be the first such posting in our two-year window. Applicants who pass the eligibility checks should not assume the same profile will reopen on a predictable cadence.

Source: This job listing was sourced from the officialEU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: .

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