LET’S TALK ABOUT THE JOB!
You report to the Senior Accounting Manager and will service Shurgard’s operations and development business in your market(s) with accounting and other administrative services. You will be responsible for maintaining accounting principles, practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with IFRS.
Job Overview
These accounting activities include mainly organizing the group’s Purchase‑to‑Pay process, the Support Centers closing activities, organizing the intercompany recharge process activities, and general duties such as general ledger preparation, financial reporting, year‑end audit preparation and support of budget and forecast activities. Additionally, you will play a critical role in projects such as a financial system transformation, assisting with acquisitions, updating accounting policies and standards, and leading training initiatives.
You are also the contact person for the legal entities in Belgium and France, ensuring all local regulatory requirements are met. In this high‑visibility role you will coordinate the flow of information from multiple departments (FP&A, Tax, Legal, IS, Human Resources, Marketing) within the central Support Center and demonstrate both daily financial recording skills and strategic improvement of Shurgard’s financial management.
About Your Accounting And Finance Responsibilities
* Manage all aspects of accounting and financial reporting of the subsidiaries in your area of expertise in accordance with IFRS and local GAAP to meet statutory and group reporting requirements.
* Manage partnerships with external service providers (Accounting Firms, Payment Service Providers, ERP Software Providers).
* Manage the group’s Purchase‑to‑Pay process.
* Manage the group’s disbursement banking and treasury activities.
* Manage the group’s inventory accounting.
* Ensure intercompany financial processes.
* Ensure accurate tracking of expenses for the European Support Center and meet SLAs towards internal stakeholders.
* Review reconciliation files.
* Deliver management reporting.
* Prepare budgets.
* Prepare annual local statutory accounts for Belgium and France.
* Deliver qualitative data for the ESG program.
Profile (Education, Experience, Competencies)
* Document unusual or significant transactions using Accounting Memos.
* Ensure all tax declarations and compliance activities are met in close collaboration with the Tax department.
* Support execution of mergers, acquisitions and integrations as necessary.
* Support internal and external audit processes.
About Your Process And Systems Responsibilities
* Implement procedures and systems necessary to maintain proper records and ensure adequate accounting controls for all business cycles in accordance with Shurgard’s standards.
* Support the testing and rollout of new applications and processes.
* Contribute to group projects: systems, maintenance of policies and procedures.
* Support the Accounting Director with special projects and workflow process improvements.
* Ensure application of and compliance with Shurgard’s control framework.
About Your People Responsibilities
* Manage a team of six people delivering timely and accurate accounting and financial reporting services.
* Collaborate with other finance department managers (FP&A, Consolidation, Treasury, Tax) to support overall department goals and objectives.
* Coordinate the flow of information from non‑finance departments.
* Advise staff regarding handling of non‑routine reporting transactions.
* Provide training to new and existing staff as needed.
* Handle personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance issues, etc.
* Work with each direct report to establish and monitor the enhancement of goals and objectives.
Qualifications
* Bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, finance or economics, or equivalent experience.
* At least 7 years of accounting experience.
* 3+ years of experience in financial management and leadership roles.
* Exposure to a multi‑country or shared services environment is a strong plus; experience from Services or Retail sectors preferred.
* Experience with IFRS and local GAAP; exposure to US reporting tools is a plus.
* Experience with Sarbanes‑Oxley Act.
* Working knowledge of Microsoft applications and advanced level in Excel.
* Experience in CRM/ERP migration projects (focus on UAT, key user/trainer).
* Proficiency in SAP; familiarity with SAP S/4HANA is an additional advantage.
* Fluent in English and French, written and verbally; other European languages are a plus.
* Travel occasionally to meet internal clients, attend training courses and meetings; travel expected to be around 20% of the time, often including overnight stays.
Contract Type
Permanent – Full Time Equivalent 100%
Benefits
Be part of Europe’s leading self‑storage company. You’ll join a dynamic and supportive team where your work truly makes a difference. We offer a competitive salary along with a comprehensive package of extra‑legal benefits. Please note that this role does not include employer‑sponsored work visa support. Applicants must already be authorized to work in Belgium at the time of hire and must maintain that authorization throughout their employment with us. Given the nature of the role, we are currently prioritizing candidates who are already residing in Belgium.
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