Interim Head of Accounting | VC-Backed SaaS Company | Munich

Interim Head of Accounting | VC-Backed SaaS Company | Munich / Hybrid

The Client

Harmonic is delighted to be partnering with a VC-backed German software company whose cloud platform lets development teams build, deploy and scale applications without the usual DevOps overhead, including on-premise and air-gapped set-ups used by regulated organisations such as banks. Having completed a restructuring, the business now runs a lean, simple structure and is about to ramp revenue. Finance is moving from clean-up into building: proper monthly reporting, investor reporting and a first full audit.

The Role

Reporting into an experienced CFO, the Interim Head of Accounting will bridge the gap between the outgoing finance lead and a permanent hire expected in early 2027. You will start with a handover period, working alongside the outgoing finance lead through the pre-audit with newly appointed auditors in November, then take ownership of accounting, reporting and the first full audit in early 2027 before onboarding your permanent successor. Bookkeeping is outsourced to the tax advisor, so this is about steering external providers, validating their output and closing the knowledge gap between them, the CFO and a finance team member who runs the day-to-day. It is a hands-on role with a coaching element: a sparring partner and technical lead rather than a function to rebuild.

Key Responsibilities

• Take a structured handover from the outgoing finance lead and work through the November pre-audit together with the new auditors.
• Steer the external tax advisor, making sure they receive the right information on time and that their monthly output is accurate.
• Book accruals and review and validate the monthly accounts prepared externally.
• Get the monthly management reporting off the ground and run it consistently.
• Prepare the group consolidation (German topco and US subsidiary) and the investor reporting.
• Own audit preparation and execution for the first full HGB audit in early 2027.
• Coach and upskill the finance team member responsible for day-to-day finance, closing the gap on technical accounting.
• Hand over cleanly to the incoming permanent hire, supporting their onboarding.
• Qualified accountant or German equivalent (e.g. Bilanzbuchhalter IHK, Steuerberater, or a Big Four / audit background).
• Strong HGB knowledge, including year-end close and statutory audit preparation.
• Experience steering an outsourced tax advisor or Steuerberater set-up rather than booking everything in-house.
• Fluent German (contracts and much of the documentation are in German) and strong business English.
• Interim or project experience stepping into a business quickly, handling handovers and delivering an audit.
• Background in VC-backed tech, SaaS or software start-ups and scale-ups.
• Experience with consolidation including a US entity, and investor reporting.
• Exposure to tax optimisation or transfer pricing.
• Experience coaching or developing junior finance colleagues.

Day Rate: €800-950 per day (candidate rate, dependent on experience)

Commitment: open to full time or 2-3 days per week fractional, with more time likely during the handover and the audit

Location: Munich, hybrid (1-2 days per week in the office, team day currently Tuesday)

Duration: c. 4-5 months, through the first full audit and the permanent hire's onboarding in Q1 2027

Start Date: 1 November 2026, to allow overlap with the outgoing finance lead

At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.