Job Specification – Accounting Manager (Freelance)
Location: Belgium – Hybrid working
Contract: Freelance – 6‑month initial contract
Start Date: Late May
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Context
The finance organisation is currently reviewing the structure and balance of its team. While there is strong coverage in business partnering and controlling, the accounting function lacks sufficient senior, hands-on accounting leadership.
The team is relatively young, with profiles primarily focused on business partnering rather than core accounting. There is a clear demand for an experienced Accounting Manager to reinforce the accounting function, bring structure and discipline, and support operational stability across the business.
Freelancers are already active within the finance team, and external expertise is well integrated into daily operations.
Role Overview
The Accounting Manager will take ownership of the accounting function across multiple entities, combining team leadership with hands-on operational involvement. The role requires strong technical accounting expertise and the ability to drive consistent, high-quality accounting practices in a multi-entity environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the accounting team
- Oversee accounting activities across multiple legal entities
- Ensure accurate and timely transactional accounting, month-end and year-end closings
- Act as the primary point of contact for external auditors
- Ensure compliance with IFRS and Belgian GAAP
- Establish and maintain strong accounting processes, controls, and documentation
- Bring structure, prioritisation, and clarity to the accounting workload
- Support improvements in efficiency and quality across the accounting function
- Work closely with the CFO and broader finance team, including business controlling
Required Experience & Profile
- Proven experience as an Accounting Manager or senior accounting lead
- Strong technical accounting background
- Experience managing and coaching accounting teams
- Solid track record dealing with auditors and managing audit processes
- Experience in multi-entity accounting environments
- Comfortable working in a hands-on role, including transactional accounting
- Structured, pragmatic, and detail-oriented mindset
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of IFRS
- Solid understanding of Belgian GAAP
- End-to-end accounting and reporting experience
Languages
- English – mandatory
- Dutch and/or French – strong plus