Country Controller - Germany

Country Controller, Germany

German-speaking role

Location	Reporting to	Travel	Languages
Belgium	Vice President, Controller	15-20%	German and English

Role summary

As Country Controller for Germany, you will be accountable for the integrity of the financial records, statutory and tax compliance, internal controls, and timely reporting across both countries. Until the entity is fully closed, you will also be responsible for Sweden. You will lead a small regional accounting team and partner with local operations, regional finance and corporate stakeholders to deliver accurate results, strengthen processes and support sound business decisions.

Key responsibilities

Financial control and governance

• Own the financial control environment for Germany and Sweden, ensuring compliance with US GAAP, applicable local accounting requirements and company policies.
• Maintain effective internal controls, identify financial and operational risks, and drive timely remediation of control deficiencies.
• Ensure the completeness and accuracy of the general ledger and oversee the end-to-end record-to-report process.
• Promote consistent accounting practices, robust documentation and continuous process improvement across the region.

Close, reporting and statutory compliance

• Lead the monthly, quarterly and annual close processes, ensuring that reporting is accurate, complete and delivered within corporate deadlines.
• Oversee balance-sheet reconciliations, supporting registers, schedules and period-end reporting packages, with clear ownership and timely resolution of reconciling items.
• Coordinate the preparation and review of local statutory financial statements for Germany and Sweden, working with external service providers where required.
• Manage internal, external, statutory and tax audit engagements and ensure that requested information is accurate, complete and delivered on time.
• Provide clear commentary on financial results, significant accounting matters, risks and key developments to the Vice President, Controller and other stakeholders.

Tax and regulatory matters

• Coordinate compliance with local tax and regulatory requirements, including VAT, corporate income tax, Intrastat and other applicable filings.
• Work closely with external tax advisers and internal tax teams to ensure accurate, timely submissions and resolution of technical or compliance matters.
• Monitor changes in relevant local accounting and tax requirements and assess their impact on processes and reporting.

Team leadership and business partnership

• Lead, coach and develop the German accounting team, setting clear priorities and fostering accountability, collaboration and professional growth.
• Build strong relationships with local operational teams, department leaders, shared-service teams and corporate finance functions.
• Act as the primary finance contact for the German and Swedish businesses, providing practical accounting guidance and support on ad hoc matters.
• Partner with stakeholders to simplify processes, improve reporting quality and deliver sustainable solutions.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

 

• At least seven years of progressive accounting or controllership experience, including strong knowledge of German accounting requirements and local taxation.
• Demonstrated experience with US GAAP reporting and multinational group reporting requirements.
• Experience owning month-end and year-end close, statutory reporting, balance-sheet governance, audit coordination and local compliance activities.
• Proven people-management experience, including coaching, prioritisation and performance development.
• Fluent German and strong professional English, both written and spoken.
• Strong analytical judgement, attention to detail and the ability to remain effective under pressure while managing competing deadlines.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capability, including lookup functions, pivot tables and analysis of large data sets, together with solid Microsoft 365 skills.
• Experience working with ERP and financial close or reconciliation systems.

Preferred qualifications and experience

• A recognised professional accounting qualification such as Wirtschaftsprüfer, Steuerberater, ACCA, ACA, CPA, CA or an equivalent local qualification.
• Experience in a multinational organisation and/or a US-listed company.
• Working knowledge of Swedish statutory accounting, tax or compliance requirements.
• Experience with Oracle R12 and BlackLine.
• Experience improving finance processes, controls and close efficiency across multiple legal entities.

Success in this role

The successful candidate will combine strong technical accounting knowledge with hands-on operational leadership. They will be comfortable moving between detailed accounting matters and clear communication with senior stakeholders, while building a disciplined, collaborative and improvement-focused finance function across Germany and Sweden.