Financial Controlling Lead (reference number: 3448)

For our client, a listed International organisation with her Head Office based in Amsterdam, we are looking for a Financial Controlling Lead to join their team. 

The team plays a central role within the wider very complex finance organisation and looks besides FP&A (Costs primarily)  after the AP/AR processes, VAT compliance, payroll review and financial reporting for the legal holding entities on a global scale, and provide parent company services and funding for the group companies all over the world. The team works in close collaboration with Legal, Tax, HR, Risk & Compliance and group Treasury departments. The internal stakeholders you will work for are IT, consulting, SAP, Microsoft consulting, as well as the managers of diverse internal business units.

As Financial Controlling Lead you will oversee the financial cycles of the Dutch entity and being responsible for GL accounting, monthly, interim and year-end group reporting. You act as a hands-on playing captain and accountant/business partner for internal senior stakeholders in relation to the accurate and timely reporting, budget development and monitoring, cost allocation and forecasting of corporate costs. You are a skilled financial professional with an understanding of financial consolidation processes, corporate accounting, compliance and affinity with US GAAP / IFRS. Leading a team (AP/AR officers, senior accountant, finance graduate 4fte), you play a pivotal role in ensuring continuous improvement in the accounting, reporting and AP/AR processes in The Netherlands, taking responsibility for timely and accurate payment execution and cash collection, and being the lead accountant/business partner in the month-end close processes of the Europe IT division and the various International Solutions’ divisions and clusters (outlay packs) in Amsterdam. As an operational team player, you deal with multiple stakeholders, motivates and connects people, and drives innovation in the world of accounting & reporting.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Be a playing captain as manager and you will coach a team of four professionals, ensuring high levels of engagement, performance and continuous learning.  Provide backup support with hands-on mentality
• Prepare monthly management accounts, forecasts and annual budget including reporting to Group
• Prepare quarterly financial accounts to Group, in line with US GAAP / IFRS and Group standards
• Be the main point of contact for the IT Finance and divisional and cluster business controllers, be responsible for the monthly general ledger accounting & reporting of the outlay packs as well as ad-hoc queries
• Be the main point of contact for the Head of Procurement Corporate HQ Amsterdam regarding the handling of purchase invoices, cost centre set up and procuration schedule
• Prepare meaningful monthly analysis of costs and other information to budget holders and senior stakeholders
• Monitor and be responsible for the employee costs recharges, following Group Finance policies and SOX regulation.
• Maintain an appropriate control environment. Responsible for accurate and timely payment
• Take a leading role on continuous process improvement to enhance information needs, including further exploiting ERP system potential (AFAS) and contributing to an effective and efficient purchase-to-pay process

• You hold A degree in Finance or Accounting. A professional certification such as RA, ACCA or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• 3+ years PQE of related accounting experience, preferably in an corporate / international setting (BIG4 or Trust)
• Hands-on mentality with an eye for detail
• A solid understanding of accounting practices and principles, especially US GAAP / IFRS
• Strong Excel skills, and analytical and problem-solving skills; affinity with ERP. AFAS experience is a plus
• Ability to develop strong relationships and to work with teams across different cultures
• Excellent time management skills in order to meet strict deadlines and manage priorities
• Excellent verbal and written English skills, Dutch is a plus