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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Expert Comptable Stagiaire

馃挵 $40,000 - $65,000

AccountingFinanceInternshipAudit

馃幆 Role Definition

Welcome to the pivotal role of Expert Comptable Stagiaire, the official internship track to becoming a Chartered Accountant in France and other francophone regions. This is not just an internship; it's a structured, three-year professional training program where you will be entrusted with your own client portfolio under the supervision of a certified expert. You will act as a key business partner for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs/VSEs), handling everything from daily accounting to strategic financial advice. This position offers a unique blend of technical accounting, client relationship management, and business advisory, providing the perfect foundation for a high-level career in finance and accounting.

馃搱 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Master's Degree in Accounting, Control, Audit (Master CCA)
  • Graduate of the DSCG (Dipl么me Sup茅rieur de Comptabilit茅 et de Gestion)
  • Final year student in a top-tier business or accounting school

Advancement To:

  • Expert Comptable Dipl么m茅 / Chartered Accountant
  • Chef de Mission / Engagement Manager
  • Directeur de Cabinet / Firm Director or Partner

Lateral Moves:

  • Contr么leur de Gestion / Financial Controller in a corporation
  • Responsable Administratif et Financier (RAF) / CFO in an SME
  • Auditeur Financier / Financial Auditor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage a diverse portfolio of client accounts, primarily VSEs (Very Small Enterprises) and SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) across a wide range of business sectors.
  • Conduct the complete accounting review and closing cycle, from validating transactional entries to the preparation and finalization of annual financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, appendices).
  • Independently prepare and file all periodic tax returns for your client portfolio, including VAT, corporate income tax (IS), CVAE, and other relevant declarations.
  • Establish intermediate financial situations, reporting dashboards, and cash flow forecasts to assist clients with their operational and strategic decision-making.
  • Provide first-level legal and tax advice to clients concerning their daily operations and corporate structure, under the supervision of a manager.
  • Participate actively in client meetings to present financial statements, discuss performance, and identify opportunities for growth and optimization.
  • Handle the full spectrum of social declarations (DSN) and assist in payroll management for a selection of clients, ensuring compliance with labor laws.
  • Assist clients with the legal and administrative formalities of their company's lifecycle, including creation, modification of statutes, and general assembly minutes.
  • Develop and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with clients, acting as their primary point of contact within the firm for all accounting and financial matters.
  • Collaborate with senior managers and partners on exceptional missions, such as business valuations, due diligence, and financial restructuring projects.
  • Ensure the technical accuracy and compliance of all accounting records with French accounting standards (PCG) and relevant IFRS principles where applicable.
  • Draft legal documentation for the annual approval of accounts, including management reports and special reports for general assemblies.
  • Supervise and mentor junior accountants or apprentices, reviewing their work and contributing to their professional development.
  • Identify client needs for additional advisory services (e.g., wealth management, IT consulting, social law) and facilitate introductions to specialized departments.
  • Contribute to the digitalization of the firm by promoting the use of new accounting tools and collaborative platforms with clients.
  • Perform detailed analytical reviews of financial accounts to detect anomalies, explain variances, and provide meaningful insights to business owners.
  • Prepare comprehensive business plans and financial projections for clients seeking financing from banks or investors.
  • Manage the administrative follow-up of your client portfolio, including engagement letters, billing, and deadline tracking.
  • Stay continuously updated on evolving tax, social, and accounting legislation to ensure compliant and proactive advice.
  • Participate in the integration of new clients, including the setup of their accounting files and the migration of historical data.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist senior accountants and engagement managers with research on complex technical accounting or tax issues.
  • Contribute to internal projects aimed at improving firm processes, standardizing work papers, and adopting new technologies.
  • Participate in the firm's business development efforts by identifying potential leads and representing the firm at local networking events.
  • Support the training and onboarding of new interns and junior staff, sharing best practices and firm methodologies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep understanding of French accounting standards (PCG) and general tax law (VAT, Corporate Tax).
  • Proficiency in preparing complete annual financial statements and tax bundles (liasse fiscale).
  • Strong command of at least one major accounting software package (e.g., Cegid, Sage Coala, Quadratus, ACD).
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, complex formulas, and data modeling.
  • Knowledge of corporate law and legal formalities related to the life of a company.
  • Ability to produce and analyze management dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Familiarity with payroll processing and social security declarations (DSN).
  • Competence in using dematerialization and collaborative accounting platforms.
  • Solid understanding of financial analysis and business valuation principles.
  • Experience in drafting legal documents for annual account approvals.
  • Basic knowledge of consolidated accounts and IFRS standards is a plus.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent client relationship management and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Strong analytical mind and rigorous problem-solving abilities.
  • High level of autonomy, proactivity, and a strong sense of responsibility.
  • Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage priorities and meet strict deadlines.
  • A collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively within a team.
  • Curiosity and a strong desire to learn and continuously develop professionally.
  • Adaptability and composure when dealing with pressure and unexpected challenges.
  • Pedagogical skills to explain complex financial concepts to non-financial clients.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Holding or in the final year of a Master's Degree in Accounting, Control, Audit (Master CCA).
  • Holding the DSCG (Dipl么me Sup茅rieur de Comptabilit茅 et de Gestion).

Preferred Education:

  • A Master's degree from a top-tier university or business school with a specialization in accounting or corporate finance.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Audit
  • Corporate Law & Taxation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years. This role is specifically designed for recent graduates starting their three-year professional internship.

Preferred:

A successful first internship (6 months or more) within an accounting or audit firm is highly valued and provides a significant advantage.

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