Finance Manager – Belgium

Subsea Global Services is looking for a hands-on Finance Manager to lead the finance function for our Belgium operation. The role is responsible for the integrity of local financial records, timely and accurate reporting, cash-flow management, working capital, budgeting and forecasting, and the effectiveness of financial controls. The Finance Manager will report directly to the Corporate Controller located in the United States and will work closely with the Belgium General Manager and operational teams, as well as the wider Corporate Finance team, to improve financial performance and support sound business decisions.

The successful candidate will combine strong accounting and control capabilities with commercial awareness and the ability to challenge and support operational stakeholders. This is a hands-on role in an international environment, requiring ownership, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to improving financial performance.
 

Job Description

Financial Management & Reporting

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close for the Belgium operation, ensuring accurate, complete, and timely reporting to Group Finance.
• Review the general ledger, journal entries, accruals, prepayments, revenue and cost cut-off, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare and explain monthly management accounts, financial performance, and key variances against budget, forecast, and prior periods.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of financial data and maintain supporting documentation and audit trails.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Support

• Coordinate the annual budget and periodic forecasts with the General Manager and operational stakeholders.
• Monitor revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, profitability, and cost trends; identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Provide financial analysis and practical recommendations to support operational decisions, resource planning, and cost control.
• Track financial and operational performance, including job revenue, project costs, utilization-related costs, and subcontractor spend where relevant.

Cash Flow, Working Capital & Collections

• Own local cash-flow visibility and short-term cash planning, escalating funding needs and material risks to Group Finance promptly.
• Drive collections and follow-up with the commercial and operational teams, including overdue debt, disputed invoices, billing delays, and collection commitments.
• Monitor unbilled revenue and work in progress, and work with Operations and other stakeholders to ensure jobs are supported by the required documentation and invoiced promptly and accurately.
• Manage accounts payable processes and payment proposals, ensuring that payment priorities are aligned with available cash, business criticality, agreed terms, and Group approval requirements.
• Monitor working-capital performance and recommend actions to improve cash conversion and reduce overdue balances.
• Prepare, review, and approve bank payments in accordance with the company’s delegated authority matrix, internal controls, and corporate approval requirements.
• Manage day-to-day banking relationships for the Belgium operation, including bank administration, access rights, and coordination with bank representatives.
• Execute bank reconciliations on a timely basis, investigate and clear pending or unreconciled items, and escalate long-outstanding items to the Corporate Controller.
• Reconcile the statutory accounts to the primary reporting books every month, investigate differences, document reconciling items, and ensure all differences are resolved or clearly explained and tracked.
• Maintain effective controls over vendor setup, invoice processing, payment approvals, expenses, and other key financial processes.

Belgian Statutory Compliance, Tax & Audit

• Coordinate local statutory accounts, tax and VAT compliance, and other required filings with the relevant internal teams and external advisers.
• Coordinate the annual external audit and respond to auditor requests, ensuring that reconciliations and supporting schedules are complete and available on time.
• Monitor compliance with applicable Belgian requirements and Group policies, escalating technical or compliance matters when specialist advice is needed.

Stakeholder & Team Management

• Act as the primary finance business partner to the Belgium General Manager and local operational team.
• Work collaboratively with Group Finance, customers, vendors, banks, auditors, and external advisers as required.
• Establish clear ownership, deadlines, and follow-up for finance activities; 
• Promote a collaborative, accountable approach to resolving issues and improving the reliability of financial information.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Typically, 5+ years of relevant finance and accounting experience, including responsibility for month-end close, management reporting, and financial controls.
• Experience in a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, or senior accounting role; experience in an international or multi-entity organization is an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of general accounting, budgeting and forecasting, cash-flow management, working capital, and financial analysis.
• Practical experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable and collections, reconciliations, audit coordination, and statutory reporting.
• Familiarity with Belgian statutory, VAT, and tax processes, either directly or through coordination with external advisers.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with ERP systems; NetSuite or a similar platform is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate financial information into clear business recommendations.
• Excellent organization and follow-through, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and work independently.
• Strong communication skills in English; Dutch and/or French language skills are an advantage.
   

This job description does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee. The employee will be required to follow any lawful instructions and perform other duties consistent with the nature and level of the position.

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