Senior Business Controller

The objective of this role is to support the Country Administration and Finance Manager in providing Country Operations and Management with relevant performance (KPI) analysis, reporting, and recommendations to improve the profitability of operations.

Summary

The objective of this role is to support the Country Administration and Finance Manager in providing Coun-try Operations and Management with relevant performance (KPI) analysis, reporting, and recommendations to improve the profitability of operations. The candidate must also conduct business control activities within the country, in accordance with Group Business Control standards and procedures. Additionally, the candidate must ensure that the accounting of operations consistently reflects a clear and fair view of performance (monthly closing). He/she must support local entities and business departments in controlling and explain in their consolidated results. The candidate will also be responsible for the coaching and supervision of the Assistant Business Controller.

What will be your responsibilities?

• Review and control the statutory and analytical P&L of the entities you are responsible for to ensure conformity with the Group reporting standards. Request the necessary adjustments when required.
• Under the supervision of the Country Administration & Finance Manager and in collaboration with the Chief Accountant of Cluster IV, perform the monthly closing procedures on time (cut-off, posting of adjustment, complete run of settlement in the ERP system, load of statutory accounts into re-porting and consolidation tool, etc.)
• With the functional support of the Central Business Control team, analyse the performance of the entity.
• Prepare gross margin reconciliation between FI and COPA for ESB for the purpose of all deeper gross margin analysis by segment or individual operation. Ensure that the gross margin meets the expected targets (offers, budget, etc.)
• Review all costs and analyse the variances with the budget for the different entities.
• Prepare the monthly reporting (including the Performance review meeting) on the consolidated figures of the different entities.
• Propose recommendations to improve the commercial and global performance of the entity.
• Overall understanding of the business/activities by country/ entity/ Segment and highlight the main drivers of performance.
• Assist the Country Administration & Finance Manager of ESB in other tasks, including assisting in monthly management accounts and finalizing yearly audit files.
• To assist in preparing Financial Statements and Cash Flows analysis in due time.
• Control that the internal procedures, processes and related accounting flows (and analytical) of the Cluster are leading to true and fair view of the financial statement, request and follow-up the necessary change.
• Prepare the yearly budget and forecast/reforecast by preparing the necessary assumptions and templates and providing relevant comparison and analysis for the different entities.
• Prepare adhoc reporting and analysis for internal or external partners (Insurance, bank, operations, audit, tax, management).
• By delegation of authority and within given limits, control and approve/ release expenses note, purchase orders, offers, credit limits, payments, debit/credit memos, etc.
• Support the country and central business controller for the offshore part in their controlling activities.
• Prepare reporting and analysis for country business controller and business department on the contributed results.
• Manage/Lead the business controlling team.

Who are we looking for?

• ACCA qualified and Degree or master’s in accounting, Finance or equivalent
• Fluent in French and English, both oral and written
• Advanced accounting understanding and skills including IFRS
• Advanced knowledge of Ms Excel
• Autonomous and ability to work within a team
• Analytical mindset and result driven
• Self-disciplined and organized
• At least 8 years working experience in relevant field
• Experience in SAP Accounting system and acquittance in Incoterms will be an advantage

What's in it for you?

• A permanent contract
• A competitive salary and an interesting package of extra-legal benefits
• Air Ticket (equivalent to passage benefit)
• A human sized company with international dimension, encouraging autonomy and team spirit
• Cooperate in a team with experienced and passionate colleagues within a successfully growing family-owned company
• Benefit from a challenging career opportunity with an extensive training program
• In this challenging job you get the possibility to take initiative and further develop the function