Director of Finance & Controlling Europe

Sowelo Consulting; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Stock options

Hybrid work model

Office 1-2 days/week

Job summary

Sowelo Consulting in the Netherlands is seeking a Director of Finance & Controlling Europe to lead the regional Accounting and Billing teams across multiple European entities, reporting to global accounting leadership, and owning the month-end close under US GAAP and IFRS.

The role emphasizes strong control, tax coordination with external advisors, and close collaboration with FP&A, Risk, and Controllership on complex accounting matters, with a hybrid work model and a competitive package.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in an international environment, including time at a US-listed company.
• At least 3 years in a formal people-management role.
• Fluent Dutch and good English, both spoken and written.
• Professional accounting qualification (RA, CPA, or equivalent) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop European Accounting and Billing teams with goal setting and performance management.
• Own a timely close for European entities under US GAAP and IFRS with SOX-compliant reconciliations.
• Coordinate with global accounting, tax, and commercial stakeholders to ensure accurate reporting.
• Oversee VAT, indirect tax obligations, and statutory filings across Europe.
• Manage outsourced accounting partners and maintain strong relationships with external firms.
• Drive end-to-end billing, AR, DSO reduction, collections, and cash applications.

Skills

Leadership

People management

US GAAP & IFRS knowledge

Excel proficiency

Education

HBO degree in economics or related field

RA/CPA or equivalent preferred

Tools

Oracle ERP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Are you ready to shape the future of European accounting operations?

Are you an empowering leader who develops high-performing teams?

Great, then please read on as we have a job for you

You could join our clients rapidly growing SaaS software company which operates on a global scale. We're looking for a Director of Finance & Controlling Europe to join the European team.

You will lead the regional Accounting and Billing teams. You will oversee six legal entities across Western and Central/Eastern Europe. Reporting to global accounting leadership, you will own the month-end close for the region and make sure reporting is accurate under both US GAAP and local standards. You will also make sure receivables and collections stay healthy. You will manage several outsourced accounting partners and work closely with global finance, tax, and commercial stakeholders.

Your tasks will include:

• Lead, coach, and develop the European Accounting and Billing teams, including goal setting, workload planning, and performance management.
• Own a timely, accurate month-end close for the European entities, including multi-element revenue recognition under US GAAP and IFRS, journal entry review, and SOX-compliant account reconciliations.
• Work with the global accounting team to coordinate the wider regional close and contribute to global close oversight.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP, IFRS, and Dutch and other local statutory requirements.
• Oversee annual reports and statutory filings across Europe, working closely with the global tax function.
• Review and reconcile VAT returns, and make sure indirect tax obligations are met accurately and on time.
• Manage relationships with external accounting firms that provide outsourced accounting and compliance support.
• Lead the end-to-end billing function: invoicing, accounts receivable, AR ageing, cash application, and AR subledger-to-GL reconciliation.
• Drive collections by monitoring overdue balances, escalating aged items, and working with commercial teams to resolve disputes and reduce DSO.
• Oversee the execution and review of internal controls, working with SOX and process colleagues.
• Work with FP&A, Risk, Financial Reporting, and Controllership to resolve complex accounting matters.
• Support M&A activity and post-acquisition integration affecting the European entities.
• Lead or contribute to process improvement, systems, and strategic finance initiatives.

To be a good fit for the Director of Finance & Controlling Europe role, you will have:

• HBO degree in an economics-related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• 10+ years of experience in an international environment, including time at a US-listed company.
• At least 3 years in a formal people-management role.
• Strong technical knowledge of US GAAP and IFRS, including financial controls.
• Working knowledge of European VAT and corporate tax compliance, and confidence coordinating with tax teams and external advisors.
• Solid background in general ledger management and accounting operations.
• Hands-on experience overseeing billing, accounts receivable, and collections.
• Strong IT affinity; Oracle experience is a plus.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Fluent Dutch and good English, both spoken and written.
• A high level of discretion with confidential information.
• A collaborative, proactive style with strong organisational and analytical skills and close attention to detail.
• A professional accounting qualification (RA, CPA, or equivalent) is preferred.
• Experience in organisations that have grown through acquisitions or integrations is a bonus.

Reasons to join:

• You will be part of the team that drives the digital transformation of supply chain industry
• You will join the company that combines innovation with corporate social responsibility
• Being a part of a global brand that is evolving in customer-centric projects
• Hybrid work model where you can go into the office 1 - 2 days per week
• Bonus and Stock options as part of the package