Director of Accounting & EMEA Financial Controller

Director of Accounting & EMEA Financial Controller

The organisation

The industry leader in unified collaboration solutions. Companies choose our client for solutions that enable their geographically dispersed workforces to communicate and collaborate more effectively and productively over distances. 

Overall Objectives of the job

• Manage the accounting and statutory compliance for numerous legal entities in Europe, Middle East and Africa 
• Act as chief fiduciary over the integrity and accuracy of financial results 
• Responsible for all accounting in the countries, including actual and statutory reporting. 
• Managing Accounting teams across EMEA consisting of senior managers (reporting to this position are 3 senior managers and their teams located at various sites 
• Managing on a dotted line basis senior managers of the Global Shared Service Centre 
• Work in a highly demanding and dynamic environment handling numerous contacts across EMEA and the U.S 
• Maintain effective control structure and ensure in compliance with all Sarbanes Oxley 404 requirements. 
• Providing day to day finance related business support to all departments across the organization. 

Key Responsibilities 

Record To Report Business Processes 

• Direct, control and manage the accounting activities of the regional operations. 
• Ensure financial statements are properly recorded in accordance with applicable GAAP. 
• Ensure all required finance reporting and compliance requirements are met in a timely manner. 
• Responsible for the financial ledgers of multiple European legal entities, including monthly hard close. 
• Own Record to Report Business Processes, Ensure efficiency through Supporting Technology and Establish Service Level Agreements for Internal Customer Satisfaction 
• Manage Record to Report process, including: 
• Hands on accounting activities.  (G/L; account reconciliation). 
• Reviewing of statutory reporting (annual audit and tax returns). 
• Monthly Payroll Processing (Including PTO administration) 
• Reviewing of European VAT returns, ICL and Intrastat reporting. 
• Cost accounting knowledge 
• Maintaining tax balances and tax payments 

Treasury Processes 

• Responsible for hedging activities in the region 
• Deep knowledge and understanding of multi-currencies 
• Managing treasury activity in the region 

Supporting Systems & Automation 

• Design and implementation of improved work procedures to optimise the period end close 
• Significant involvement in scoping and driving system and process enhancements. 

People/Staff 

• Managed indirectly transactional functions team
• Manage, recruit, develop, and motivate the team. 

Internal controls 

• Maintain effective control environment and ensure that all required policies and processes are in place and operational. 
• Responsible for complying with the company’s internal controls and processes including but not limited to maintaining control documentation and evidence. 

Other 

• Working with the auditors and tax consultants to insure statutory compliance 
• Lead and manage integration and merger activities in the region. 
• Deep knowledge of corporate income tax structures (Buy/Sell Arrangements) and transfer pricing 
• Deep knowledge of EU VAT treatment and intrastat 
• Responsible for Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) for product division activity and working closely with regional and corporate FP&A team.

Ideal candidate profile

• Degree in Finance
• Certified Public Accountant or equivalent like RA
• Master in Business and administration deemed advantageous 
• Several years’ experience in a broad accounting function within an international context, including functioning in similar role at international cooperation. 
• Work at one of the big 4 accounting firms 
• Have solid knowledge at US and IFRS GAAP 
• Must have held accounting management position, managing and motivating staff to meet tight and complex reporting requirements. 
• Be accustomed to the environment of a large international company in the high technology sector 
• Pragmatic approach with overall view.  Able to take on accounting activities hands-on, structure and complete them. 
• Good experience with and understanding of ERP systems (Oracle/PeopleSoft preferred).  
• Good knowledge of Excel and other MS Office applications 
• Highly flexible, ability to cope with deadlines under pressure, good communication skills. 
• Fluent in English. Other languages - advantageous. 

The ideal candidate has a well organized approach to work and is disciplined in evaluating priorities in a fast changing environment. Important are outstanding administration skills and the ability to develop effective procedures, without being bureaucratic. The candidate demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving results, with a highly professional approach to the job. Has a style which is consistent with the fast tempo of the sector. 

Personal Qualities 

• Absolute level of ethics and integrity and strong work ethic 
• Ability to deal within the company at all levels 
• An ability to persuade others to a point of view.  Should be a team player yet assertive when necessary but not abrasive. 
• Will need a well-developed range of skills as a communicator – both in spoken and written work.  
• Entrepreneurial in outlook with a “can-do” attitude.  Willing and able to be involved in details as required.

Interested?

You can apply to this position by using the form below. For more information, please contact Rolf Elderenbosch at +31 (0)20 661 4343.