Assistant Controller

Who are we and what do we have on offer?

Howden CPI in Zuidland is a global leader in maintenance of mission-critical air and gas handling solutions that help clients improve environmental and operational efficiency. With over a century of expertise and a future-focused mindset, we’re committed to innovation, sustainability, and teamwork.

We’re now looking for a Controller with strong drive to develop him/herself and help our management team to develop our company. This is a hands-on focused role where you’ll act as a strategic partner to our management team helping them to manage financial performance across complex industrial contracts.

Rather than focusing on traditional reporting cycles, this role is embedded in the heart of our project delivery. You’ll be interpreting contracts, forecasting cash flow, tracking budgets, and identifying financial and operational risks. You’ll work closely with our management team, engineering, and commercial teams to ensure timely invoicing, accurate forecasting, and strong financial oversight throughout the full project lifecycle.

What Will You Do?

Main purpose of job

• Support the local business by providing monthly reporting and financial control, reporting to the Financial Controller and indirectly to the local General Manager.   
• To be able to support the local management team in enhancing and improving the reporting process utilising more fully the ERP system Epicor across the business.
• To support the local General Manager with all aspects of the business from a financial perspective with good knowledge of local Netherlands financial and legal aspects.

Accountabilities

• Manage all HCPI accounting operations on a daily basis ensuring monthly reporting results are in compliance with Group policy with adherence to reporting timetable and no compromise on accuracy. 
• Prepare monthly management accounts and reports in accordance with Group standards and timetable, providing the HCPI Netherlands business with the required financial insight and business partner. 
• Prepare financial analyses and reports of the company as required on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis, as relevant, to allow better review of financial performance and to highlight areas of focus.
• Assist the Financial Controller with annual Budget, quarterly forecasts to include reviewing bookings, sales, margins and cost forecasts.
• Complete all reporting for Pulse inputs, reviewing latest view bookings, sales and margin expectations with supporting information for any variances and challenge changes.
• Drive cash performance forward on a daily basis and ensure weekly cash forecasts are reflected accurately
• Liaise with local commercial manager and contracts team on financial issues such as bank guarantees, credit insurance and other ad hoc commercial issues. 
• Contribute to the development of financial policies and best practice to enable the business to achieve operating and strategic objectives. Address technical accounting issues when required. 
• Ensure good financial controls in place and adhere to SoX principles.
• Develop good working relationships with local management team and help in improving cross department processes and communication.
• Liaising with internal and external auditors
• Statutory reporting – ensure statutory compliance with local law and practice, co-ordinating with Group team the required regulatory reporting.
• Lead and develop a small local finance team  
• Ad hoc projects involving analysis of operational issues

What will you bring with you?

Skills, knowledge & behaviours 

• Essential skills, knowledge & behaviours
• Preferably a qualified Accountant (ACA, ACMA or ACCA)
• Preferably either newly qualified or up to 5 years post qualifying experience, preferably with a manufacturing background
• Preferably experience of working in SOX environment and US GAAP knowledge 
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, consistently delivering results whilst managing conflicting priorities
• Ambitious, eager to learn and take on new challenges and prepared to embrace and develop in an environment of continuous improvement
• Excellent presentation skills
• Analytical but innovative thinker
• Willingness to travel to other business units as required

What's on offer for you?

We offer the right candidate an interesting and challenging position with responsibility and impact within a professional and international environment in a successful company. You will get the chance to join a team with dedicated and enthusiastic colleagues. As we consider talent management as key to the success of our organization, we offer opportunities for personal and professional development. We offer a salary package that is fully in line with the level of the position combined with an extensive package of fringe benefits.

• Market, experience, knowledge, skills conform salary
• 40 vacation days
• 13th month
• Holiday support allowance ("Vakantietoeslag")
• A hybrid workplace
• Commuting compensation
• An opportunity to join our Howden community network