Working as an accountant in an international environment – how to handle differences in legal regulations?
25 September 2025Working as an accountant in an international environment is a bit like flying a plane across different countries' airspace – you need to understand various regulations, communicate with control towers in several languages, and still keep your direction straight.
At METRO GSC, we support the entire METRO group – a global wholesale giant – serving markets across the world.
Accounting in an international setting – what regulations do we need to know?
At METRO GSC, we don’t limit ourselves to the well-known Polish tax landscape. Every day, we work with international accounting standards, including globally accepted IFRS norms, which act as a universal financial language regardless of geography.
This isn’t just a requirement – it’s a competitive advantage. It allows us to deliver top-tier accounting services tailored to the requirements of the markets we support.
Biggest challenges of working in an international accounting team
If you’ve ever tried scheduling a meeting with colleagues from India, Germany, Poland, and Spain, you know it’s like playing Tetris – everyone has different holidays, working hours, and communication styles.
At METRO GSC, we’ve not only learned how to manage these differences, but to turn them into our strength. We face many barriers – from language and cultural differences to diverse approaches to feedback or teamwork.
For some, direct feedback is normal; for others, it might come off as rude. In some teams, decisions are made collectively; in others, the manager has the final word.
We handle all of this with skill, knowing that trust is built not only through accurate spreadsheets, but also through openness, empathy, and a willingness to understand others.
International accountants – training and support
We don’t leave our people alone to face these challenges. From day one, we offer comprehensive development support, including a wide range of training on international accounting standards, tax law differences, and new tools and systems.
Our training isn’t just theoretical – we focus on a hands-on, workshop-based approach. After all, knowing IFRS in theory is not enough if you can’t apply it in your daily work with a partner from Germany. That’s why we teach through experience – analyzing real-life cases, simulating scenarios, and working through practical exercises.
International accounting – useful skills and qualifications
Analytical thinking, ERP system knowledge (especially SAP), Excel proficiency, and financial reporting skills are all part of our daily work. But today, that’s not enough.
At METRO GSC, we look for people who bring more than just technical skills – we value soft skills that help build relationships in a global setting. Cross-cultural communication, flexibility, openness to other perspectives – these are crucial for success in an international team.
If you also excel at time management, embrace technology, and think in terms of projects – you’re already one of us.
Accounting certifications – what we support
We support our employees not just with training and knowledge, but also in gaining valuable certifications recognized in the market. Whether it’s ACCA, CIMA, or other international credentials – you don’t need to ask if you can develop. We actively encourage it.
We know that a certificate is not just a formality – it’s a real competitive advantage, both for the employee and for the company. That’s why we provide access to resources, mentors, exam funding, and share our experience. We believe that investing in people is the best way to grow the entire organization.
Foreign languages in international accounting
If you think that knowing only the language of accounting is enough at METRO GSC… you’re almost right. But it almost makes a big difference. In our daily work, English is essential – not only for reporting, but also for communicating with international teams, participating in project meetings, and corresponding with partners.
If you also know German, Spanish, French, or another less common European language – that’s a huge plus! While English is king, the ability to break the language barrier with a local business partner can work wonders and accelerate a project significantly.
At METRO GSC, we don’t expect you to speak every language in the world, but we actively support those who want to expand their language skills – through courses and daily practice with international teams.
If you're ready to take on this kind of challenge, we warmly invite you to apply to METRO GSC!
