Principal Financial Controller, Oud Gastel

Overview Are you a seasoned financial professional looking for an exciting new challenge? We are seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Principal Financial Accountant to lead the financial governance of our newly established legal entities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries in the EMEA region. This high‑visibility role is part of the EMEA Corporate Accounting team and has significant influence, shaping the financial integrity, compliance, and integration of recently acquired businesses into the broader Waters organisation.

Work Model: Hybrid (3 days on-site per week).

Responsibilities

Lead month end close activities for a portfolio of M&A entities across the Netherlands, Belgium and other countries in EMEA, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and strong financial controls.

Oversee and guide transactional processing and reporting performed by the Shared Service Organization (SSO), ensuring high quality execution and continuous improvement.

Own Statutory Reporting, VAT, and Tax compliance, acting as the primary point of contact for local authorities and external advisors.

Drive the integration of acquired entities into Waters’ financial processes, systems, and internal control frameworks.

Partner with cross functional teams to identify risks, resolve issues, and support strategic decision making.

Qualifications Education

Full membership of a recognised accounting body or equivalent accounting/tax qualification.

Experience

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in a European accounting or controlling role.

Background in audit (international audit firm or internal audit function).

Proven experience working with tax authorities in the Netherlands and/or Belgium.

Strong technical expertise in US GAAP, as well as local STAT, TAX, and VAT regulations.

Hands on experience with SAP, Blackline, and advanced Excel/MS Office skills.

Competencies

Fluent in Dutch and English (written and spoken).

Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with a geographically dispersed team.

Proactive, self driven, and comfortable taking ownership in a fast moving environment.

Strong analytical mindset with the ability to identify issues and implement solutions.

Flexible and adaptable, capable of managing multiple accounting topics simultaneously.

Hands on approach with a willingness to dive into details when needed.

Experience in project or change management is a strong advantage.

Committed to continuous learning and professional development.

Why Join Us? We are committed to building diverse teams and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We celebrate our differences and value the importance of teams reflecting the communities they serve. We also offer reasonable adjustments to our interview process to accommodate your needs.

Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

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