Financial Controller Netherlands

Cushman & Wakefield; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Financial Controller for the Netherlands to oversee all controllership activities. You will ensure accurate financial data, robust reporting, and compliance with US GAAP and local regulations.

The role includes audits, coordination with the outsourced finance model, and management review of accounting processes. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of post-qualification experience, strong knowledge of US GAAP, and familiarity with core systems such as Essbase, HFM,

Qualifications

• 5+ years of post-qualification experience in financial Controllership or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and local accounting standards (Dutch/ IFRS).
• Experience with SOX controls and audit processes.
• Proficiency in core reporting systems (Essbase, HFM, Workday).
• Ability to translate financial data into business insights and collaborate with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Close & reporting: manage monthly close, journals, and timely sign-off of reports.
• Audits & statutory: coordinate local audits and statutory accounts.
• Collaboration: work with FSC, HR, Tax, Treasury and external advisors.
• Balance sheet control: review reconciliations and resolve issues.
• Policy compliance: ensure adherence to policies and controls.

Skills

Month-end close

Audits & statutory accounts

US GAAP

SOX controls

Financial reporting

English communication

Dutch language advantage

Tools

Essbase

HFM

Workday

Job description

Job Title

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"