CV Real Estate Accountant: Example and Template
This is how to structure your CV as a Real Estate Accountant so that property accounting, heating and utility cost statements, and STWE (condominium ownership) expertise are immediately visible.
Currently 11 open Real Estate Accountant positions in Switzerland, across 2 cantons, 2 of them from the last 7 days. Wincasa advertises the most.
CV example — two-page template
This template is editable straight away — or upload your existing CV and it is carried into this layout automatically.
What qualification is required for Real Estate Accountants in Switzerland?
The usual path is a commercial VET diploma with further training in accounting, supplemented by real estate-specific courses from SVIT or KV Business School.
Most job postings require an EFZ as a commercial employee, ideally from the trust or real estate sector. For positions with responsibility for financial statements, employers additionally expect the Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Finance and Accounting or at least the edupool.ch Accounting Specialist certificate. State the exact title, the year and the examining institution - abbreviations such as 'Fachausweis' without further detail appear imprecise.
The real estate-specific part is what actually sets you apart from general financial accounting. Courses such as the SVIT Property Management Specialist, the Certificate Programme in Real Estate Accounting or further training as a Property Manager with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education show that you understand tenancy law, VMWG utility cost rules and condominium ownership. List these qualifications in a dedicated block so they don't get lost among internal short courses.
If you have not yet completed the Federal Diploma, note the planned examination date, for example 'Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Finance and Accounting, expected autumn 2026'. For foreign diplomas, add a comparison with the Swiss system and your knowledge of financial reporting under the Swiss Code of Obligations, as this is often the decisive point in the interview.
How do I structure my professional experience as a Real Estate Accountant convincingly?
Describe the portfolio you managed in figures for each position, followed by three to four results - not your job descriptions.
Start each position with a context line: number of properties, number of rental units, rental income volume in CHF, owner type (pension fund, private individual, condominium association) and your team size. This lets a recruiter recognise within seconds whether you are used to a portfolio of 15 or 60 properties. The difference between CHF 8 million and CHF 41 million in rental income volume is more relevant for classification purposes than any self-description.
The achievement points that follow should be geared towards measurable results: reduced outstanding receivables, shortened closing time, number of heating and utility cost statements prepared on time, implementation of rent adjustments following a reduction in the reference interest rate, or a VAT audit that closed without additional charges. Avoid phrases such as 'responsible for accounting' - everyone writes that. Instead, describe what changed as a result of your work and over what period.
Explicitly mention the systems you have worked with. Rimo R5, ImmoTop2, Abacus, Garaio REM or SAP RE-FX are hard filter criteria, since onboarding takes several months. If you supported a migration or process automation, list it as a separate point with the number of properties and tenancy agreements migrated.
How long should the CV be, and does it need a photo?
Two pages, reverse chronological, with a photo - this remains the standard in Switzerland for Real Estate Accountants.
Keep to a maximum of two pages. Describe the last ten to twelve years in detail, and summarise older positions in one line. Use amounts in Swiss notation with an apostrophe, i.e. CHF 85'000, and give dates in the format 03/2019 - present. Continuous monthly dates are expected; explain any gaps briefly and factually.
A professional portrait photo remains standard practice at Swiss trust and real estate companies and is rarely viewed critically. Also expected are place of residence, nationality or residence permit (B, C or G for cross-border commuters), as well as details of your availability and notice period. Date of birth and marital status are optional, though many applicants still include their year of birth.
Add a short language section with realistic levels according to the CEFR. In German-speaking Switzerland, native-level German is often sufficient, while for portfolios with properties in French-speaking Switzerland or international owners, French and English skills are a clear advantage. Save the document as a PDF with a descriptive file name, for example 'CV_Bienz_RealEstateAccountant.pdf', and attach references and diplomas in a separate PDF.
Where Real Estate Accountant are hired in Switzerland
How the 11 open positions are spread across the cantons.
Figures as a table
| Canton | postings |
|---|---|
| Zürich | 3 |
| Schwyz | 1 |
Which languages the postings require
Of 7 postings that state a language — in brackets, those requiring professional level.
Figures as a table
| Language | postings |
|---|---|
| German | 7 (7) |
| French | 1 (0) |
Who hires Real Estate Accountant in Switzerland
Employers with the most open positions. Staffing agencies are excluded.
Figures as a table
| Employer | postings |
|---|---|
| Wincasa | 1 |
| Livit AG Real Estate Management | 1 |
Full-time or part-time?
How the positions are advertised.
Figures as a table
| Workload | postings |
|---|---|
| Vollzeit / plein temps | 10 |
| Teilzeit / partiel | 1 |
The CV in full
To read through and reuse.
Marco Bienz
Real Estate Accountant with Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Finance and Accounting, SVIT Certified Property Management Specialist
Real Estate Accountant with eleven years of experience in property accounting for investment properties, condominium ownership (STWE) and institutional owners. Responsible for 62 property accounts with an annual rental income volume of CHF 41 million, including heating and utility cost statements under the VMWG as well as VAT settlements for opted commercial properties. Brings in-depth knowledge of Rimo R5 and Abacus and completes financial statements under the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) and Swiss GAAP FER on schedule through to audit.
What sets me apart
Heating and utility cost statements without complaints: Prepares around 1'450 heating and utility cost statements annually in accordance with VMWG Art. 4-8, including correct allocation keys, adjustments to advance payments and accrual of non-recoverable items; complaint rate below 0.8 percent.
Condominium ownership (STWE) firmly under control: Manages 9 condominium associations (STWE) with renovation funds totalling CHF 12.4 million, prepares budgets and value quota allocations under Art. 712h of the Swiss Civil Code (CC), and delivers meeting-ready documents 21 days before the owners' meeting.
VAT on opted properties: Responsible for quarterly VAT settlements for 14 property companies with option under Art. 22 of the Swiss VAT Act (MWSTG), including input tax reduction for mixed use and input tax adjustment upon renovations.
Receivables and reminder management through to debt collection: Manages the reminder process from the first notice through the payment deadline under CO Art. 257d to the debt collection request under the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (SchKG), working closely with property management and legal services.
Key achievements
Reduced outstanding receivables by 59 percent. Systematic reminder management with fixed deadlines and weekly reporting reduced outstanding rent receivables from CHF 486'000 to CHF 198'000 within 14 months.
Shortened closing time from 9 to 5 weeks. Standardised accrual lists, chart of accounts by property type and a preparation dossier for the auditors brought 62 property accounts to audit by the end of February.
Migration of 38 properties to Rimo R5. Led the accounting data migration of 38 properties with 940 tenancy agreements, including reconciliation of rental deposits and opening balance sheets; discrepancy after closing under CHF 500.
Experience
Senior Real Estate Accountant — Aareblick Immobilien Treuhand AG, Olten, 03/2019 - present
Fiduciary management of 62 properties for pension funds, private owners and condominium associations (STWE); team of 4 in property accounting.
- Responsible for 62 property accounts with an annual rental income volume of CHF 41 million and hands over all financial statements to the auditors within 5 weeks.
- Prepares around 1'450 heating and utility cost statements annually and adjusted advance payment amounts for 310 tenancies, reducing supplementary payments over CHF 1'000 by 42 percent.
- Reduced outstanding receivables from CHF 486'000 to CHF 198'000 and shortened the average payment period from 21 to 9 days.
- Manages VAT settlements for 14 opted property companies; the most recent Federal Tax Administration (FTA) audit in 2023 closed without additional charges.
Real Estate Accountant — Quartierstein Verwaltungs AG, Aarau, 08/2015 - 02/2019
Management of 34 residential and commercial properties in the canton of Aargau, including 6 condominium associations (STWE).
- Managed the accounting for 34 properties with 780 rental units and prepared quarterly reports for 11 institutional owners.
- Managed 6 condominium associations (STWE) with renovation funds totalling CHF 8.1 million and prepared budgets and value quota statements for 214 unit owners.
- Implemented 96 rent adjustments following the reduction in the reference interest rate using the form prescribed under the VMWG and processed refunds on time within 30 days.
- Automated the payment run for accounts payable, reducing manual data entry effort by 22 hours per month.
Property Accounting Specialist — Limmatpark Immobilien AG, Dietikon, 09/2012 - 07/2015
In-house accounting for a portfolio holder with 19 own investment properties in the Zurich region.
- Posted around 2'300 accounts payable and rent receipts per month and reconciled 19 bank accounts as well as 420 rental deposits.
- Prepared utility cost statements for 520 rental units and reduced the query rate through clear enclosures from 6 to 2.5 percent.
- Supported the preparation of 3 annual financial statements under the Swiss Code of Obligations and provided valuation documents for the DCF valuation of 19 properties.
Education
Federal Diploma of Higher Education, Specialist in Finance and Accounting — Höhere Fachschule Nordwestschweiz · 2017
SVIT Certificate, Property Management Specialist — SVIT School, Zurich · 2014
Federal VET Diploma (EFZ), Commercial Employee EFZ, Profile E, Trust/Real Estate sector — Berufsfachschule Aarau · 2012
SVIT Certificate Programme in Real Estate Accounting (2020) · Seminar on VAT for Real Estate and Construction Costs, FTA Practice (2022) · Continuing Education in Condominium Ownership and Renovation Funds (2021) · Rimo R5 Power User Training, Accounting Module (2019)
Common questions
- Are Real Estate Accountant roles offered full or part time?
- 91% full time, only 9% part time. If you need part time, say so early rather than leaving it open.
- Who hires Real Estate Accountant in Switzerland?
- Currently Wincasa, Livit AG Real Estate Management, among others. Their adverts are the best word list for your own CV.