Head of Financial Accounting

Michael Page; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent secondary benefits

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking a senior finance leader to run accounting for the European Headquarters. You will stabilise the accounting function, retain key knowledge, and build a strong team across the Netherlands.

You will later drive process improvements, digitalisation, automation, and AI-enabled enhancements within the finance function. The role requires extensive leadership experience in financial accounting, Dutch GAAP expertise, and the ability to oversee audits and statutory reporting across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or similar.
• Extensive leadership experience in financial accounting/function.
• Strong knowledge of statutory reporting, Dutch GAAP and compliance.
• Experience managing audits and external auditors.
• Proven ability to lead teams and act hands-on at senior level.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations for European Headquarters.
• Oversee month-, quarter-, and year-end closes.
• Manage statutory reporting and financial statement prep.
• Ensure accurate balance sheet, P&L and cash flow reporting.
• Coordinate cross-entity financial reporting for Europe.
• Drive process improvements, digitalisation, automation, and AI initiatives.

Skills

People leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Accounting/Finance

Job description

The successful candidate will initially focus on stabilising the accounting function, supporting team development, retaining critical knowledge, and ensuring operational continuity. Once stability has been achieved, there will be opportunities to drive process improvements, digitalisation initiatives, automation, and AI-enabled enhancements across the finance function.

Key Responsibilities Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Lead all accounting operations for the European Headquarters.
• Oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes.
• Manage statutory reporting and financial statement preparation.
• Ensure accurate balance sheet, profit & loss, and cash flow reporting.
• Support consolidated financial reporting activities across multiple European entities.
• Deliver timely and accurate financial reporting and analysis to senior leadership.

Audit, Tax & Compliance

• Act as the primary contact for external auditors, tax authorities, and banking partners.
• Lead internal and external audit processes.
• Ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements, VAT regulations, payroll accounting, and corporate tax obligations.
• Coordinate VAT and Corporate Income Tax matters with external advisors.
• Maintain robust internal controls and governance standards.

Treasury & Cash Management

• Oversee treasury activities including cash flow management, foreign exchange exposure, and payment processes.
• Support effective liquidity and working capital management.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead a team of approximately five finance professionals based in the Netherlands.
• Oversee two offshore accounting resources.
• Coach and develop team members during a period of significant transition.
• Build confidence, capability, and engagement across the team.
• Ensure effective knowledge transfer and retention.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive accounting process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Support future finance transformation initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for digitalisation, automation, and AI adoption.
• Partner with Finance, HR, and business stakeholders on cross-functional projects.

Lead financial accounting for a European HQ finane team People manager role while driving reporting, controls and process improvement

Essential Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience within financial accounting leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of statutory reporting, Dutch GAAP, financial accounting, and compliance.
• Proven experience managing audit processes and external auditors.
• Strong understanding of balance sheet, cash flow, and P&L reporting.
• Experience leading and developing teams of approximately 5-10 people.
• Strong coaching and people leadership capability.
• Ability to remain hands-on while operating at a senior leadership level.
• Fluency in both Dutch and English.

Preferred Experience

• RA, CPA, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Big Four background, ideally with Audit Manager experience.
• Experience within international or multinational organisations.
• Exposure to defined benefit pension accounting.
• FP&A experience.
• Experience within sales and service organisations, healthcare technology, medical devices, capital equipment, manufacturing, or similar sectors.

Personal Profile Our client is looking for someone who is:

• A strong people leader and coach.
• Pragmatic, approachable, and down-to-earth.
• Comfortable operating in a hands‑on environment.
• Able to bring stability during periods of change.
• Highly collaborative with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical, detail‑oriented, and solutions focused.
• Committed to developing and supporting team members.

Our client is a leading international healthcare technology organisation with over a century of innovation in diagnostic imaging and medical solutions. Operating across Europe, the company partners with healthcare providers, research institutions, and clinical specialists to deliver technologies that improve patient care and healthcare outcomes. Their European Headquarters oversees operations across 12 countries and supports approximately 1,400 employees throughout the region.

This is a unique opportunity to join a well‑established international organisation at a pivotal moment. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact by stabilising and developing a key finance function, while also helping shape the future direction of accounting processes, automation, and digital transformation across the business.

• Competitive salary and excellent secondary benefits.