Job Description
Head of Finance & Accounts Operations
(Senior Hands-on Finance Leadership Role | International Opportunity)
Location: Belgium (On-site)
Employment Type: Full-time | Permanent
Reports To: Board of Members
Industry: Education / Training
Role Overview
We are seeking a senior, hands-on finance leader to take complete ownership of Finance, Accounting, and Financial Operations for an international educational institution based in Belgium.
This role is ideal for a hardcore finance professional who enjoys being deeply involved in accounts, budgeting, cash flow, audits, compliance, and financial controls, while also overseeing key operational areas from a financial governance perspective.
Finance & Accounts is the primary focus.
Operations oversight exists to support financial discipline and sustainability.
This is a strategic + execution role, offering international exposure, high ownership, and direct interaction with the Board.
Key Responsibilities
1. Finance, Accounting & Financial Control (Primary Focus)
* Own end-to-end finance and accounting operations with a strong hands-on approach.
* Manage day-to-day accounting including:
* Accounts Payable & Receivable
* Fee collection & revenue tracking
* Payroll coordination
* General Ledger management
* Prepare and control annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and variance analysis.
* Actively monitor and manage cash flow, liquidity, and working capital.
* Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, MIS reports, and Board-level dashboards.
* Lead internal and external audits, ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance.
* Ensure compliance with:
* Local financial laws
* Tax regulations
* Payroll & statutory reporting requirements
* Manage banking relationships, treasury operations, and transaction optimization.
* Design and strengthen financial controls, SOPs, risk management, and fraud prevention.
* Drive cost optimization, margin improvement, and long-term financial sustainability.
2. Procurement & Vendor Financial Oversight
* Lead procurement planning with financial evaluation and cost-benefit analysis.
* Negotiate contracts with vendors and service providers.
* Monitor vendor payments, contracts, and budget adherence.
3. HR Operations Financial & Compliance Oversight
* Oversee payroll accuracy, staff contracts, and statutory compliance.
* Coordinate recruitment and HR operations with school leadership.
* Maintain HR documentation and employee records from a compliance perspective.
4. Administration, Compliance & Asset Oversight
* Supervise administrative documentation, statutory filings, and institutional compliance.
* Coordinate insurance, licensing, and regulatory audits.
* Oversee asset management, CapEx, facilities, and transport budgets.
* Ensure safety, compliance, and financial discipline in infrastructure spending.
5. Marketing & Admissions Financial Support Role
* Support admissions and marketing teams through:
* Budget planning
* ROI analysis
* Fee structure and pricing strategy
* Track enrollment trends and revenue projections.
* Ensure marketing spend efficiency and budget control.
6. Strategic Financial Leadership
* Act as a financial advisor to the Board.
* Provide insights on:
* Growth & expansion
* Pricing strategy
* Long-term financial planning
* Build a culture of financial accountability, transparency, and discipline.
* Contribute to strategic decisions with a strong finance-first mindset.
Qualifications
* Bachelors or Masters degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
* Professional certifications such as CPA / ACCA / CMA are a strong advantage.
Experience & Skills
* 7-10+ years of strong hands-on experience in Finance & Accounting.
* Background in education, services, or multi-unit operations preferred.
* Excellent command over:
* Accounting systems / ERPs
* Financial reporting
* Excel-based financial models
* Strong analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
* High integrity, attention to detail, and ownership mindset.
Why Join Us
* International leadership opportunity (Belgium)
* High ownership & direct Board exposure
* Finance-driven decision-making role
* Stable education sector with long-term vision
* Opportunity to build and lead finance operations end-to-end