Cedefop is looking to draw a reserve list of suitable candidates for the post of
ACCOUNTING OFFICER
1. Who are we?
Cedefop is the European Union's reference centre for vocational education and training (VET), skills and qualifications. Our mission as an EU Agency is to provide research and policy analysis to support the development of European VET, skills and qualifications policies and contribute to their implementation. More than ever, skills and VET play a crucial role at the intersection of different policy areas to accompany economic, demographic and social changes, including the digital and green transitions, and to address issues like labour market integration and employability of EU citizens. This is where we are committed and dedicated to providing pan-European expertise, services and tools that make a difference.
To learn more about Cedefop's work, please visit Cedefop's website.
2. The role
The role is ideally suited to candidates who possess the ability to manage complex accounting processes, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to integrity. The Accounting Officer plays a key role in ensuring the reliability and transparency of Cedefop's financial operations, but not only. Cedefop also provides accounting services to EIGE $^{(2)}$ and Cedefop's Accounting Officer is also EIGE's Accounting Officer.
The Accounting Officer will be appointed by the Management Boards of Cedefop $^{(3)}$ and EIGE, will be totally independent in the performance of the Accounting Officer duties and responsible to the respective Boards.
These accounting services could be potentially expanded to other Agencies in the future.
$^{(1)}$ Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union
$^{(2)}$ EIGE is the European Institute for Gender Equality and is based in Vilnius, Lithuania.
$^{(3)}$ Cedefop's Founding Regulation, Article 5 (1).
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The place of employment will be Thessaloniki, Greece. In Cedefop, the Accounting Officer will be a member of the Directorate's Team, reporting to the Deputy Director. In the daily work, support will be provided by an accounting assistant.
With this vacancy notice, Cedefop aims to draw a list of suitable candidates to be used as the need arises in the Agency. The list of suitable candidates will also be shared with other agencies (4).
3. Key responsibilities of the position
Accounting and Financial Reporting
- Prepare annual accounts, including opening and year-end closure and accrual-based financial statements.
- Produce clear, reliable financial reports and other financial documents for the management of the Agency(ies), and in line with EU Financial Regulations.
- Sign off provisional annual accounts (including performance of all necessary checks), prepared in line with the accounting rules.
- Sign off the final annual accounts before their adoption by the Executive Director, thereby certifying a true and fair view of the Agency's financial position.
Payment and Treasury Oversight
- Manage recovery orders and debit notes, including VAT reimbursements, to secure timely revenue collection.
- Ensure accurate reconciliation of transactions and bank accounts.
- Sign payments and manage treasury operations, ensuring smooth handling of bank and cash accounts.
Compliance and Internal Control
- Monitor and implement changes in accounting regulations and instructions.
- Define and validate accounting rules and methods to ensure efficiency, internal control, integrity and reliability of financial information.
- Participate in budget discharge procedures and liaise with key stakeholders, including the European Commission, the Court of Auditors and external auditors concerning accounting matters.
Systems and Process Optimisation
- Optimise the use of financial systems and accounting tools (ABAC, SUMMA), including updating accounting procedures and processes.
- Contribute to IT projects related to finance and accounting, ensuring compliance with the standards set by the European Court of Auditors and with the EC Internal Audit Standards and professional standards.
Networking
- Represent the Agency in the network of accountants across EU Agencies, sharing knowledge and best practices.
(4) See page 6.
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4. Cedefop as an employer of choice
We offer a vibrant multicultural work environment with project- and team-based approach. Our actions are inspired by our core values:
- • proactive and responsive: we deliver relevant, high-quality and timely evidence, expertise and tools, addressing our stakeholders' and users' needs, building inclusive partnerships, cooperating with other key players to tap synergies and avoid duplication and proactively supporting EU policy objectives.
- • well-run and ambitious: we are an efficient and compliant Agency that is committed to transparency, scientifically sound research and analysis and the highest standards of ethics and integrity. We empower and engage our staff and continuously improve our processes.
- • open-minded and adaptable: we develop new ideas, embrace change and innovation, and view European Union values founded on human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights as fundamental in all our activities.
We are committed to equality and diversity, providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants. To attract diverse talent pool, we welcome applications from all qualified candidates, without any distinction on any grounds and from the broadest possible geographical basis amongst the EU Member States and EEA countries.
We place high importance on the professional development of our staff and offer diverse learning opportunities in-house and externally.
We value the well-being and work-life balance of our staff and offer flexible working arrangements, hybrid working and part-time working possibilities.
To learn more about Cedefop's working conditions, refer to the dedicated guide. The salary grid is available here.
5. Eligibility
Based on the requirements of the regulatory framework, for an application to be considered eligible, candidate must fulfil all the following requirements on the closing date for submission of applications:
Nationality: Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union or a national of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) $^{(5)}$.
Citizen rights: Enjoy full rights as a citizen.
Military service: Have fulfilled any legal obligations concerning military service.
Physical fitness: Be physically fit to perform the duties relating to the post $^{(6)}$.
Education and professional experience: Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma, and appropriate professional experience of at least 3 years.
$^{(5)}$ Agreement on the European Economic Area.
$^{(6)}$ Before appointment, the successful candidate must undergo a medical examination.
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Only diplomas that have been awarded in EU Member States or EEA countries or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said countries shall be taken into consideration.
Language skills: Have a thorough knowledge (7) of one EU language (8) and a satisfactory knowledge (9) of another EU language as required for the performance of the duties.
6. Preselection phase
The preselection criteria consist of essential and advantageous criteria against which the application will be assessed.
6.1 Exclusion (yes/no) preselection criteria
For an application to be considered further, the candidate must meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrated professional experience with the EU Financial Regulation and EU accounting rules.
- English (the working language of Cedefop) at level C1 in all dimensions as per the CEFR.
Only if an application meets these Exclusion preselection criteria, it will be assessed against the scored preselection criteria listed below.
6.2 Scored preselection criteria
The scored preselection criteria consist of essential and advantageous criteria against which the application will be assessed.
6.2.1 Essential preselection criteria
If an application does not meet the minimum requirements in any of the essential criteria below, it will not be considered further.
- At least 3 years of professional experience in the past 5 years in accounting and financial reporting, as described in the Section 3. Key responsibilities.
- At least 3 years of professional experience in the past 5 years in the execution of payments and treasury oversight, as described in the Section 3. Key responsibilities.
- Experience in the use of accruals-based accountancy.
- Experience in providing accountancy services or auditing accounts in an EU institution, Agency or Body.
(7) Level C1 in all dimensions as per the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
(8) By way of derogation from Articles 12(2)(e), 82(3)(e) and 85(3) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, the languages referred to in Article 129(1) of the Agreement shall be considered by Cedefop, in respect of its staff, as languages of the Union referred to in Article 55(1) of the Treaty on European Union.
(9) Level B2 in all dimensions as per the CEFR.
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6.2.2 Advantageous preselection criteria
If an application does not meet one or more of these criteria, listed in order of priority, it will not result in exclusion. However, meeting them will positively impact the overall scoring, increasing the candidate's chances of being invited to the next stage of the selection process.
- Experience with EU financial tools (ABAC or SUMMA).
- Membership of a recognised professional accountancy organisation or body (certification as 'chartered accountant').
7. Assessment process
The selection process will be organised in several stages.
7.1. Assessment applications by the selection board
The assessment of applications will be carried out by a selection board appointed by the Executive Director, and based on the information provided in the online application (Section 9. 'How to apply?').
It is important that candidates explain explicitly how they meet each preselection criterion in the respective box of the application form as the assessment is carried out solely based on the information provided there.
The applications that meet the eligibility requirements (Section 5) will be assessed against the criteria described in Section 6, using as a reference the description of the role in Sections 2 & 3 of this vacancy notice.
Up to 12 candidates who obtain the highest scores and at least 60% of the maximum score for the scored preselection criteria, will be invited for a written test.
7.2 Written test and interview
This stage of the selection procedure will allow applicants to prove their suitability for this post. Candidates will have the opportunity to demonstrate the following technical and soft skills relevant for the job:
- Excellent applied knowledge of the accounting principles in an EU environment.
- Excellent knowledge of Excel and general ledger software.
- Advanced analytical thinking and capacity to analyse data.
- Compliance mindset and attention to detail.
- Strong sense of responsibility, integrity and trustworthiness.
- Capacity to deliver outstanding customer service within the context of conflicting priorities and deadlines.
- Excellent ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English both orally and in writing.
The written test will be organised remotely (proctoring method) and assessed by the selection board anonymously (i.e. the candidate is assigned a code and the selection board is not aware of the candidates' identity when correcting the written test).
Only candidates who obtain at least 60% of the maximum score for the written test will be invited to take part in an interview with the selection board. These interviews too, will take place remotely.
In the final score the written test will have a weight of 50% and the interview 50%.
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8. Reserve list of suitable candidates and appointment
Following the tests and interviews, the selection board will propose the candidates to be included in the reserve list of candidates suitable for this post.
To be proposed to be placed on this list, candidates must obtain a minimum of 60% overall score and minimum 60% of the scores for the written test and the interview, respectively.
A second interview may also be organised with candidates placed on this list prior to taking a decision on recruitment. The second interview will assess further the suitability of the candidate for the post in view of the main functions and duties it entails.
Candidates on the list will be considered for recruitment at Cedefop as the need arises in the Agency. However, inclusion in the list does not guarantee recruitment.
Any job offer to the most suitable candidate will be made only after the necessary supporting documents have been provided by the candidate and Cedefop's HR service has confirmed their completeness.
The recruited candidate will be required to sign a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to sign a declaration in relation to interests that might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence. Applicants must confirm their willingness to do so in their application.
The appointed candidate will undergo a probation period of 9 months.
If a candidate is included in the reserve list of suitable candidates, his/her personal data may be shared - subject to explicit consent - with other EU Agencies or Joint Undertakings$^{(10)}$ seeking to fill similar positions. This will allow the candidate to be considered for additional job opportunities across multiple EU Agencies and Joint Undertakings, only if needed in the future. The candidate's explicit consent will be sought each time another EU Agency or Joint Undertaking requests access to the reserve list of suitable candidates.
In line with art. 2(2) of Cedefop/DGE/40/2019 governing conditions of employment of contract staff under the terms of Article 3a of the CEOS, the Appointing Authority may also, following due consideration of the needs of the service, offer to suitable candidate(s) a Contract Agent post in Function Group IV. The duration of such contract may vary according to the need of the Agency.
This list will be valid until 31 December 2028. The Executive Director may extend the validity of the list. The status of the lists of suitable candidates can be consulted on Cedefop's webpage dedicated to job opportunities.
$^{(10)}$ Apart Cedefop, the other Agencies and Joint Undertakings are: European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC), European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU); Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER); Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU); Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA); European Banking Authority (EBA); European Union Agency for Railways (ERA); European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (EUROJUST); European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA); Clean Hydrogen Partnership (Clean Hydrogen JU); Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU); European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA); The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL); Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (GH EDCTP3 JU); SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR 3 JU); Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU).
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9. How to apply?
Candidates are requested to submit their application in English by Wednesday 29 July 2026 at 13:00 Greek time (CET+1), through the online system.
To register and apply, please go to the Vacancies section on Cedefop’s website, and select the vacancy in question.
Supporting documents (diploma(s), work experience certificate(s), etc.) may be requested in the context of the selection phase.
Candidates are strictly forbidden to make any contact relating to this selection procedure with the selection board and the Executive Director, or members of Cedefop’s management, either directly or indirectly. Any infringement of this rule will lead to disqualification from the selection process.
Artificial Intelligence tools may not be used in the completion of any part of this procedure. If such use activity is detected, candidate(s) will be disqualified from the selection procedure.
For useful information for applicants, refer to the dedicated guide for applicants. For queries, please refer first to the Frequently Asked Questions. If responses cannot be found from there, an e-mail can be sent to hr-recruitment@cedefop.europa.eu.
10. Additional information
Protection of personal data
Cedefop ensures that applicants’ personal data are processed in line with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018.
More information is available on Cedefop website: privacy statement.
Reasonable adjustments
Cedefop is committed to accommodating the needs of applicants and selected candidates who may need reasonable adjustments. In case of disability, please inform us at HR-recruitment@cedefop.europa.eu and specify the arrangements or adjustments which may be needed to participate equally in the selection procedure. We may ask to provide a certificate or a note from the competent authority (e.g. a medical certificate) confirming the candidate’s condition.
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