Financial Control Manager

nLighten; Schiphol-Rijk; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

nLighten is seeking a Financial Control Manager to lead the monthly close across Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. You will ensure accurate accounting records, challenge unusual movements and strengthen controls while collaborating with finance, operations and group reporting teams.

The role offers hands-on control ownership, interfaces with FP&A for insights, and supports audits while developing 1–2 junior staff in a fast-scaling multi-entity environment.

Qualifications

• Strong accounting foundation with hands-on month-/quarter-/year-end close experience.
• Experience in data center or asset-intensive environments preferred.
• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent preferred.
• Experience across multiple entities and countries is advantageous.
• Excellent English communication skills; German is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own and review the monthly, quarterly and year-end close for entities in scope, ensuring accurate reporting.
• Understand the operational substance behind transactions and ensure correct cost classification (Capex vs Opex).
• Review GL activity, journals, reconciliations and P&L movements; investigate anomalies.
• Maintain strong financial controls and documentation across the accounting cycle.
• Prepare and review financial reporting packages and explain variances to senior stakeholders.
• Support statutory accounts and external audits, resolving issues early.

Skills

Financial accounting

General ledger

IFRS/GAAP knowledge

ERP systems (Dynamics)

Cross-country collaboration

Analytical judgement

English proficiency

Audit support experience

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

nLighten is a leading European edge data centre platform operating across key markets throughout Europe. Founded in 2021, we are redefining digital infrastructure through our vision of being Close, Coupled, and Connected, bringing sustainable, highly connected data centres closer to the businesses and communities we serve. As a fast-growing company, we are helping power the future of AI, cloud and digital innovation across Europe.

About the Role

We are looking for a Financial Control Manager to strengthen the quality, accuracy and understanding of our monthly financial results across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland.

This is a hands‑on financial control and accounting leadership role. You will take ownership of the integrity of the numbers, ensure transactions are understood and recorded correctly, and help the finance team connect operational activity with the appropriate accounting treatment.

Working closely with the Group Financial Controller, local teams, Operations, Billing, Sales and Group Finance, you will review the monthly close, challenge unusual movements, strengthen controls and improve the quality of information flowing into group reporting. Forecasting and budgeting are owned by the FP&A team; this role provides accurate actuals, accounting judgement and control insight to support that process.

The role contributes to statutory accounts and external audits but is not the technical owner of audits. The priority is to ensure the underlying accounting records are accurate, well‑supported, and audit‑ready before reviewing.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and review the monthly, quarterly and year‑end close for the entities in scope, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Understand the operational substance behind transactions and challenge whether costs are classified and coded correctly, including Capex versus Opex, fixed assets, maintenance, leases, projects, intercompany and accruals.
• Review general ledger activity, journals, balance sheet reconciliations and P&L movements; investigate anomalies and ensure corrective action is completed before reporting deadlines.
• Ensure capital expenditure is assigned to the correct project, entity, asset category and accounting period, working closely with Operations, Procurement and project stakeholders.
• Maintain strong financial controls and clear supporting documentation across the accounting cycle.
• Prepare and review financial reporting packages and provide clear explanations of actual performance, variances and accounting judgements to the Group Financial Controller and senior stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of statutory financial statements and internal and external audits, resolving accounting issues early and minimizing avoidable review corrections.
• Partner with the FP&A team by providing reliable actuals, cash and working‑capital insight, and accounting input to forecasts and budgets without owning the FP&A process.
• Monitor cash, working capital and balance sheet risks, collaborating with Billing, Sales, Operations, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams.
• Improve accounting processes, systems, reporting structures and control documentation in a fast‑scaling, multi‑entity environment.
• Support, coach and develop a small finance team of 1–2 direct reports while remaining personally involved in the detail.

What We’re Looking For

• A strong financial accounting and general‑ledger foundation, with substantial hands‑on experience in month‑end, quarter‑end and year‑end close.
• Experience in a data center, digital infrastructure, telecom, engineering, construction, energy or other asset‑intensive environment is strongly preferred. Direct data‑center accounting experience may offset fewer total years of experience.
• For candidates without direct data‑center experience, a stronger technical accounting background and evidence of learning complex operational environments quickly will be essential.
• Practical understanding of Capex, Opex, fixed assets, project accounting, accruals, intercompany accounting, balance sheet control and financial reporting.
• Working knowledge of IFRS and/or relevant local or US GAAP, with the ability to apply accounting principles to real transactions rather than only prepare reports.
• Experience supporting statutory accounts and external audits; technical ownership of audit is not required.
• A recognized accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, RA, RC, CA(SA), CPA or equivalent is preferred. Strong relevant sector experience may be considered where the qualification route differs.
• Experience from external audits or a Big Four environment is advantageous, not mandatory.
• Experience working across multiple entities, countries or geographically distributed teams.
• Strong analytical judgement and the confidence to question incomplete, unusual or incorrectly coded transactions.
• A practical, delivery‑focused approach: comfortable reviewing detail, solving issues and improving how the accounting function operates.
• Experience with ERP and close/reporting systems; Microsoft Dynamics experience is a strong advantage.
• Excellent English communication skills. German is advantageous but not mandatory.

Why Join Us?

• Join a fast‑growing European data center platform shaping the future of digital infrastructure.
• Take real ownership of accounting quality and help build a scalable financial‑control environment.
• Work closely with senior finance and operational leaders across multiple European markets.
• Develop from hands‑on control ownership into broader reporting and finance leadership as nLighten grows.
• Be part of a collaborative, international team focused on precision, accountability and continuous improvement.

If you combine strong accounting fundamentals with curiosity about how data centers operate, we would like to hear from you.

All selected candidates will undergo a background check to ensure a safe workplace, protect company assets, and comply with applicable regulations.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

nLighten is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Even if you do not meet every requirement listed, we welcome your application. We particularly encourage women and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.