Financial Controller Netherlands

Job Description Summary

The individual will support the EMEA Finance Operations Controller to deliver Financial Control for all entities in Netherlands. The role is responsible for ensuring all financial data and reporting is complete, accurate and complies with Global, Regional and Local legislation, regulation, polices and processes. The role is responsible for all aspects of Finance Controllership delivery for Netherlands including external and internal audits plus full oversight and management review of all accounting activities impacting the entities within scope. The individual should proactively adopt the outsourced finance operating model and core technology and support driving efficient, effective, aligned processes.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Close & Reporting: Responsible for accurate, timely, monthly closing of the books (in US Gaap) including preparing and reviewing supporting journals all in accordance with Global & EMEA deadlines, policies and compliance requirements, Approve AR invoice requests, AP invoices and journals checking all for completeness, accuracy and compliance. Monitor and minimize late journals, unadjusted items and off system ETB adjustments. Responsible for the timely production, management review, variance explanations, query resolution and sign off of all reporting and disclosures requirements (internal, external, statutory, treasury and group – including all supplementals) in accordance with polices & timetables issued by US/EMEA Controllership and in accordance with all relevant regulations and controls. Deliver adequate management review over all aspects of accounting, the financial statements and reporting (eg FX, balance sheet reconciliations, close completeness etc) to identify and remediate issues. Responsible for driving timely investigation & resolution of unusual, outstanding & aged items (eg: Balance sheet reconciliations open items, bank open items, intercompany mismatch, aged accruals). Support for all Netherlands payrolls. Support appropriate requests from senior management.
• Audits & Statutory Financial Statements: Support and contribute to the co-ordination, planning, management and cost efficiency of 9 local audits including the co-ordination and timely delivery of all PBC deliverables. Support minimising audit costs and over-runs and implementing efficiencies in the audit process. Support and contribute to the production, review, approval and filing of all local statutory accounts (in relevant GAAP) including production by others in accordance with required governance and local filing dates. For MS LLP, support and contribute to the production, review and approval of partnership accounts. Support Internal Audits and implement agreed recommendations according to plan.
• Collaboration with FSC, BOS, EMEA Centre, HR, all external advisors, Tax, Treasury, FP&A: Collaborate effectively with stakeholders producing financial data (input or output). Support improvements to processes and controls that ensure data is recorded accurately and on a timely basis, including change management and training. Support the timely resolution of issues, queries and escalations raised by stakeholders (eg the Business, US/EMEA Controllership, FSC teams (AP, AR, Treasury, Inter-company, Controllership), PWC and Buzzacott. Proactively adopt and support all aspects of the Finance Operating model including efficiency initiatives. Take steps to make the FSC staff feel part of the ‘Belux & MSLLP ’ Finance team (retained/outsourced).
• Balance Sheet Control: Perform monthly reviews of balance reconciliations to identify unsupported items and drive monitored, timely resolution. Unadjusted amounts must be reported in accordance with Group reporting requirements. Work with Internal Control and Senior Management to establish reconciliation frequency and thresholds that are risk appropriate and efficient.
• Compliance & Control: Support the communication, training, understanding and implementation of existing and new Accounting and Treasury Policies ensuring financial records and reporting are compliant. Support all SOX controls eg SOX 302 sub-certification process. Responsible for ensuring financial controls are performed and appropriately designed (eg Co-star and reporting systems) to satisfy US and Local Gaap/IFRS and are performed on a timely basis and deficiencies are remediated. Responsible for accurate, efficient coding (AP,AR, journals, payroll, manual payments) that minimizes reporting issues, re-classifications and balance sheet reconciliation issues. Support senior management, Global & EMEA Controllership in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, checklists and close calendars.
• Revenue Recognition & Debtors: Support the execution of accurate, documented revenue recognition review controls by the business, finance & the BPO. Perform contract reviews where required and proactively support the adoption of EMEA policies and process. Ensure bad debt allowances are in accordance with policy and Support aged debt reduction and the achievement of DSO targets.

Skills and Experience

• Experience in managing month end close process within a BPO / Shared service model.
• Experience managing audits and statutory accounts process – audit background and SOX control experience preferred.
• Financial management experience with a proven ability to translate financial data into commercial language.
• Preferred: knowledge of core reporting systems, Essbase, HFM & Workday.
• Possesses deep understanding of controllership activities within the context of a global professional services business.
• Post qualification experience more than 5 years.
• Knowledge and expertise of US Gaap.
• Preferred: knowledge of core reporting systems, HFM & Workday. Essbase also preferred.
• Preferred: Local Gaap/IFRS, SOX.
• Effective communication skills in English, both oral and written, Dutch is of an advantage.

Cushman & Wakefield is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic. Cushman & Wakefield is committed to equity in employment, and our goal is to have a diverse, inclusive and barrier-free workplace. If you are a person with a disability and need any other accessible accommodations during the hiring process, you are invited to bring this to the Talent Acquisition Advisor’s attention once they have made contact.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”