Direct Tax Accounting Senior Controller

Booking Holdings, Inc.; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Hybrid working

Product discounts

Job summary

Booking.com in Amsterdam seeks a Senior Direct Tax Controller to lead global tax accounting and direct tax compliance from our headquarters. You will partner with the US and regional tax teams and drive strategic tax topics and process improvements.

The role requires strong leadership, coaching, and communication within Finance and Compliance, enabling career growth and cross-functional execution in a dynamic, international environment.

Qualifications

• University degree in Finance/Accounting or related field with professional certifications.
• 10+ years in finance/accounting with tax focus in a multinational setting.
• Fluent English and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage global tax accounting, income tax filings and provisions.
• Lead current and deferred income tax calculations and rate effects.
• Standardize processes, automate tasks related to cost allocation and intercompany recharges.
• Coach and develop team members; partner with Tax and Finance stakeholders.

Skills

US GAAP

Tax accounting

Direct tax compliance

Financial systems

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

SAP

Education

Master's degree in Finance/Accounting

RA/CPA

Tools

SAP

Job description

Direct Tax Accounting - Senior Controller

Role Overview

For the Global Accounting team, we are looking for an enthusiastic Senior (Direct Tax) Controller and other related compliance projects.

The Tax Accounting Controller reports into the Global Accounting organization. We are looking for someone with solid experience in tax accounting and/or direct tax compliance and a strong understanding of other functional Finance areas such as USGAAP, Statutory reporting, Financial Systems, Compliance and Risk & Controls.

As part of the Direct Tax Accounting team, you will be primarily focused on managing global tax accounting and direct tax compliance (for the regions). In addition, you will be assisting with the current and deferred income tax calculations, effective tax rate calculations for the group reporting, process improvement, cooperation with the core tax team and controller for the statutory reporting. In this role as a Direct Tax Accounting Controller, you will be part of a dynamic organization of finance professionals. You will be working from our headquarters in Amsterdam, but will interact regularly with our booking tax team and the BHI Tax team in the US.

Strong communication skills are essential. You will be keen to develop and grow within the role and challenge yourself to take on additional projects and responsibilities as they present themselves.

In the Senior Direct Tax Controller role, you will also take a leading role in guiding the team through the execution of strategic topics and key developments across the direct tax and finance landscape. You will act as a senior sparring partner for the team and broader Finance organization, helping translate complex developments into clear actions, priorities and deliverables.

Beyond technical execution, the role requires active leadership in supporting team development, building capability within the function and providing career coaching to team members to help them grow in responsibility, judgment and impact.

Key Job Responsibilities and Duties

• Managing global tax accounting, income tax return filings and Return-to-Provisions.
• Lead current income tax calculation (both current and deferred), effective tax rate computation,
• Drive standardization and creation of processes, automation and simplification of tasks related to costs allocation, intercompany recharges and other compliance matters
• Identify, follow-up, initiate and prioritize process improvements which directly impact daily activities within the accounting and finance department
• Partner with Financial Controllers and Tax Managers on a day-to-day basis and align on priorities
• Partner with other key Finance stakeholders/ departments
• Provide coaching and development for team members on tax and compliance related tasks
• Act as backup for controller as required on other tax related areas ( approval of Tax, payments etc are some examples)
• Lead the team in the execution of strategic tax accounting and compliance topics, ensuring priorities are clearly translated into action plans, ownership and timely delivery.
• Guide the team through relevant business, regulatory and organizational developments, assessing impact and helping embed required changes into processes and controls.
• Provide senior-level leadership and career coaching to team members, including ongoing feedback, capability building, mentoring and support in their professional development.
• Act as an escalation point for complex direct tax accounting and compliance matters, applying sound judgment and aligning stakeholders on the right course of action.
• Represent the Direct Tax Accounting team in cross-functional strategic projects and influence decision‑making across Finance, Tax and other stakeholder groups.
• Support the manager in shaping team ways of working, strengthening collaboration, and building a sustainable operating model for the function.

Role Qualifications and Requirements

• University (Dutch Tax law or Fiscal economicsAccounting, Business, Economic) degree and/or postgraduate education (RA/CPA)
• Approx. 10+5‑7 years’ experience in finance and/or accounting preferably within tax accounting and multinational corporate environment
• Sound knowledge of US GAAP
• Experienced in working in a team in an international company and matrix organization
• Track record in successfully representing finance in cross‑functional projects
• Enthusiastic about improvement and innovation
• Adaptability and capability to lead and drive change
• High levels of personal effectiveness, particularly communication, organization and the ability to focus on achieving project deadlines
• Proven ability and the credibility to persuade and influence in effecting changes within an organization
• Strong interpersonal skills and stakeholder management
• Enthusiastic, proactive and driven
• Ambitious and inquisitive attitude
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Strong IT experience in financial systems, including SAP, is preferable
• Demonstrated experience in taking a leading role on strategic topics and in guiding teams through change, complex developments and cross‑functional execution.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor and develop team members, with the credibility and seniority to support their career growth.
• Strong strategic thinking combined with hands‑on delivery skills, with the ability to operate effectively at both detailed execution and broader team leadership level.
• Ability to set direction, align stakeholders and create clarity in a dynamic international environment.

Total Reward Philosophy

Benefits & Perks - Global Impact, Personal Relevance

Booking.com’s Total Rewards Philosophy is not only about compensation but also about benefits. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, as well unique-to‑Booking.com benefits which include:

• Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave
• Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)
• Industry leading product discounts - up to 1400 per year - for yourself, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit

Inclusion at Booking.com

Inclusion has been a core part of our company culture since day one. This ongoing journey starts with our very own employees, who represent over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.

Take it from our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano: “At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn’t just build an outstanding workplace, it also creates a better and more inclusive travel experience for everyone. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a place where you can make your mark and have a real impact in travel and tech.”

We ensure that colleagues with disabilities are provided the adjustments and tools they need to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Career Development Opportunities

• Learn more about Your Career Journey here.
• Become a Mentee and benefit from a mentoring relationship with a more experienced person to help you identify and achieve your professional and personal development goals.

Booking.com is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to move well beyond

Pre-Employment Screening

If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre‑employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable law, a pre‑employment screening may include employment history, education and other information (such as media information) that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the position.