Accounting and External Reporting Expert

Roche is looking for a senior finance professional to join its Group Accounting and External Reporting team at the corporate headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. The company, a global leader in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, aims to prevent, stop and cure disease while ensuring access to healthcare for future generations. In this role you will act as the primary preparer for IFRS‑based consolidated statements and support the broader external reporting function across the group. Your daily work will involve analysing the IFRS impact of complex cross‑functional transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, alliances, financing arrangements and divestments. You will lead the preparation of year‑end and half‑year consolidated financial statements, manage the technical accounting steps required for monthly closes and external reporting events, and translate IFRS and other standards into detailed reporting specifications. In addition, you will update the Group accounting manual, deliver internal financial training sessions, maintain an effective internal control environment and drive timely process improvements. The position requires a qualified accountant who holds either a finance and accounting degree or a recognised professional accounting qualification, together with at least ten years of hands‑on experience in IFRS external reporting for a large, global organisation. You must possess deep technical IFRS expertise, especially in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, alliances, partnering, divestments and revenue recognition, and be able to explain these concepts to non‑accounting colleagues. Proven ability to navigate large stakeholder networks, lead projects and teams, and deliver precise, reliable outcomes under tight deadlines is essential. Strong analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a problem‑solving mindset are expected, as is fluency in spoken and written business English for effective collaboration and communication. Knowledge of Swiss accounting regulations and proficiency in German are considered advantageous but not mandatory. The role is on‑site in Basel, requiring regular presence at the corporate office. You will work within a diverse, high‑performing team that values personal expression, open dialogue and continuous development, offering the chance to influence external reporting practices across functions and geographies. What the role asks for: - Qualified accountant with finance/accounting degree or professional qualification - Minimum ten years IFRS external reporting experience in a large global firm - Deep technical IFRS knowledge in M&A, alliances, partnering, divestments, revenue recognition - Ability to communicate complex accounting concepts to non‑accountants - Proven stakeholder navigation and consensus building across large organisations - Demonstrated project leadership, analytical rigor and detail orientation - Capacity to meet tight deadlines and deliver under pressure - Fluent business English, spoken and written - Knowledge of Swiss accounting rules (beneficial) - German language proficiency (beneficial)