Location: Zurich

The Role
We are seeking an experienced Project Lead, Accounting, to drive process improvement and optimization initiatives within the Central Finance function. This role will take ownership of process documentation and standardization efforts, execute technical accounting projects, and implement improvements that will enable the team to operate more efficiently going forward.

This is a hands-on execution role for someone who can work independently, solve complex problems, and deliver results without needing constant direction. You will own specific workstreams from start to finish, working directly with finance teams, external delivery partners, and business stakeholders to implement sustainable improvements.

The position reports directly to the Finance Manager of the Tours group and is ideal for an experienced finance professional who enjoys bringing order to complexity and delivering tangible results.

Key Responsibilities

- Own and execute multiple technical accounting workstreams simultaneously, driving them to completion within defined timelines.

- Perform complex reconciliations, account analysis, and data validation to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial records.

- Document and standardize finance processes to support knowledge transfer to external delivery partners and enable efficient onboarding of new team members.

- Work directly with external delivery teams to transition transactional work, including process documentation, training delivery, and quality assurance.

- Identify root causes of recurring issues and implement process improvements that prevent future problems.

- Collaborate with finance and operations teams across multiple countries to gather information, resolve discrepancies, and ensure alignment.

- Provide regular progress updates to the Finance Manager and escalate risks or blockers proactively.

Qualifications

Education & Certifications

- Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

- Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CPA, or equivalent) preferred but not required.

- English proficiency is a must.

Experience

- 5+ years of accounting experience, with demonstrated ability to work independently and own complex projects.

- Hands-on experience with ERP systems; Oracle experience highly desirable.

- Proven track record of executing process improvement initiatives.

- Experience working with offshore delivery teams or shared service centers is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

- Strong technical accounting skills with ability to diagnose and resolve complex reconciliation and data issues.

- Excellent problem solving skills and ability to work through ambiguity without constant supervision.

- Detail oriented with strong analytical skills and ability to identify patterns and root causes.

- Effective communication skills with ability to work across finance and operations teams in multiple locations.

- Comfortable working independently and managing your own priorities within broader project timelines.

- Practical mindset focused on delivering sustainable solutions, not just completing tasks.

What You Can Expect From Us

- Exposure to complex, high impact work that will directly improve how the Tours finance function operates.

- Opportunity to work across multiple countries and gain experience with international finance operations.

- Collaborative team environment with experienced finance professionals.

About EF

At EF we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics turn dreams into international opportunities.

When you join EF, you join a multicultural and diverse community working across more than 600 schools and offices in 50 countries, all with one shared mission of opening the world through education. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day. EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, caste, parental status, identity, experience and everything else that makes you unique.

Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF has schools and offices around the world, including hubs in Boston, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zürich, and more. Learn more at https://ef.com.

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