Lead the future of accounting control across the Nordics

Santander; Bærum; Hybrid; NOK 1,250,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A major international bank in Norway is seeking a Head of Accounting Control for the Nordic region. The candidate will be responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting and robust controls across Nordic entities. Strong leadership and exceptional communication skills are required for managing a skilled team and fostering collaboration across the region. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in accounting and financial reporting, and a Master's degree in Finance or Accounting.

Benefits

Opportunity in a large international company

Dynamic corporate culture

Strong collaboration across Nordics

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in accounting and financial reporting.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and local GAAP.
• Experience in managing accounting control functions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate financial reporting across Nordic entities.
• Develop and implement internal control procedures.
• Oversee tax preparation and payment processes.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Reporting

Internal Controls

Stakeholder Management

Communication Skills

Education

Master's degree in Finance or Accounting

Job description

Head of Accounting Control – Nordic Region

We now hire for the Head of Accounting Control for the Nordic region. In this role you will be given responsibility for ensuring accurate financial reporting and robust controls across all Nordic entities. The role has a key position in our organization, and you will assume responsibility for critical areas within our financial operations.

You will be leading a Nordic team of skilled accounting professionals, fostering a collaborative work environment that promotes professional growth and development. Your team will ensure accurate and timely preparation and presentation of financial statements, in strict adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies.

We need you to develop and implement robust internal control procedures and workflows to enhance and safeguard our financial information. In addition, you will oversee tax preparation and payment processes, assess accounting risks, and collaborate closely with our internal audit and risk management teams.

If you can maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, auditors, regulators, and executive management while ensuring compliance, it will be a good foundation to succeed in the role. Strong relationships make it easier to stay informed about evolving accounting standards and regulatory changes.

Value creation through planning, coordination and the team

Planning

• Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation and presentation of accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with regulatory standards (e.g., IFRS, local GAAP) and internal policies. Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting principles and regulations.
• Internal Controls: Develop and implement robust internal control procedures to safeguard the accuracy and reliability of financial information. Continuously monitor and evaluate control effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Taxes: Oversee the preparation of tax returns, ensuring completeness and timely payment of corporate taxes (Corporate income tax, VAT, etc.). Identify tax obligations and responsibilities in a timely manner.
• Regulatory Compliance: Stay up to date with accounting standards, regulatory changes, and industry best practices. Ensure the organization’s accounting practices align with regulatory requirements.

Coordination

• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with various stakeholders, auditors, regulators, and executive management.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance accounting processes and systems, driving efficiency and automation where applicable. Streamline financial reporting workflows and implement best practices to optimize operations.

Team

• Risk Management: Assess accounting risks and develop strategies to mitigate potential issues. Collaborate with internal audit and risk management teams to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and adherence to internal control frameworks.
• Team Leadership: Manage a team of accounting professionals in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, providing guidance, support, and mentoring. Foster a collaborative and high-performance work environment, promoting professional growth and development among team members.

Who we look for

We need leaders that are passionate about their roles. If you want to deliver results, love challenges, and understand good leadership, it is a very good start. If you also understand the importance of effective communication, both to your team and to stakeholders, you might have what we need in this role.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Finance or Accounting, preferably a state-authorized public accountant.
• Extensive experience in accounting and financial reporting, preferably in the banking or financial services industry.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and standards (e.g., IFRS, local GAAP) and their practical application.
• Proven experience in managing accounting control functions, internal controls, and risk management processes.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Sound judgment and integrity, with a commitment to ethical conduct and professional standards.
• Given that this is a Nordic leadership role, some travel will be required.

What we offer

• Opportunity to work in a large, high-performing international company in a dynamic environment that is constantly evolving.
• A corporate culture that is professional and dynamic, yet informal. Bureaucracy is kept to a minimum, as we expect our skilled employees to make long-lasting and impactful decisions to shape our future.
• Highly competent, dedicated, and friendly co‑workers with strong collaboration across the Nordics.

Office location: Lysaker, Norway, or alternatively Solna in Sweden.

Want to know more?

We want to give you a clear understanding of what this role is about. We recommend that you listen to the interview with the hiring manager, Alexander Krupchenko, about what the job requires and what they are looking for in this recruitment.

If you want to apply, please submit your application and CV as soon as possible.