Junior Financial Controller

Company Description Who Are We? At Publicis Groupe, we work around the needs and desires of our clients. We operate as one organization and under one P&L, integrating our specialties. This allows us to fulfill our clients' needs in creativity, media, technology, data, and production. We collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, giving our clients access to all our talents, expertise, and tools, both locally and internationally. This enables us to deliver integrated creative marketing and technology solutions where quality, speed, and cost are prioritized for our clients.

Overview Role Purpose We are looking for a Junior Financial Controller to join the Finance team and take responsibility for the accurate and timely processing of the company’s day-to-day financial transactions and accounting records.

The role has a strong focus on accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking, reconciliations and general ledger accounting , with responsibility for bringing the accounts through to Trial Balance and month-end close for submission to the Netherlands Group Finance team.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Finance Manager / Finance Director and will play an important role in ensuring the integrity, completeness and accuracy of the financial records.

Responsibilities Key Responsibilities Accounting & General Ledger

• Maintain accurate and complete accounting records in accordance with company policies and applicable accounting standards.
• Process and maintain the general ledger and ensure transactions are correctly coded and allocated.
• Prepare and post month-end and other accounting journals, including accruals, prepayments, provisions and other adjustments.
• Prepare and reconcile balance sheet accounts.
• Ensure all relevant accounts are brought to Trial Balance accurately and on a timely basis.
• Support the preparation and completion of the monthly financial close.
• Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies and unusual transactions.

Accounts Payable

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day processing and maintenance of the Accounts Payable ledger.
• Process supplier invoices, credit notes and payments accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Ensure invoices are appropriately coded, approved and recorded.
• Reconcile supplier statements and investigate outstanding or disputed items.
• Monitor the AP ledger and ensure aged items are followed up and resolved.
• Support the preparation and processing of supplier payment runs.

Accounts Receivable

• Manage the day-to-day processing and maintenance of the Accounts Receivable ledger.
• Raise and process customer invoices and credit notes.
• Allocate customer receipts accurately and maintain customer accounts.
• Reconcile customer balances and investigate discrepancies.
• Monitor outstanding receivables and support the Finance Manager / Finance Director with credit control and collection activities.

Banking & Cash

• Process daily bank transactions and maintain accurate bank records.
• Perform bank reconciliations and investigate and resolve reconciling items.
• Ensure bank transactions are correctly posted to the accounting system.
• Support cash reporting and cash-flow information as required.

VAT & Tax

• Assist with the preparation and submission of Dutch VAT returns, ensuring transactions are correctly treated and supporting documentation is maintained.
• Reconcile VAT accounts to the general ledger.
• Support the Finance Manager / Finance Director with other tax and compliance requirements as required.

Payroll & Other Journals

• Process or support the accounting entries relating to payroll, including payroll journals and associated balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare other recurring and non-recurring journals as required.
• Ensure payroll-related accounts are reconciled and discrepancies investigated promptly.

Month-End & Group Reporting

• Support the monthly financial close process and ensure all relevant transactions are processed within the required timetable.
• Complete AP, AR, bank, VAT and balance sheet reconciliations as part of the month-end process.
• Bring the local accounts to Trial Balance for review by the Finance Manager / Finance Director.
• Prepare and provide the required financial information and supporting schedules for submission to NL Group Finance.
• Respond to Group Finance queries and provide supporting documentation where required.
• Assist with year-end close, audit requests and other reporting requirements.

Controls & Compliance

• Maintain appropriate supporting documentation for all accounting transactions.
• Follow established financial controls, approval procedures and accounting policies.
• Identify and escalate control issues, unusual transactions or discrepancies to the Finance Manager / Finance Director.
• Ensure finance records are maintained accurately and are audit-ready.
• Support internal and external audit processes as required.

Key Relationships Internal

• Finance Manager / Finance Director
• NL Group Finance
• Local management and budget holders
• HR / Payroll
• Procurement and operational teams

External

• Suppliers and customers
• Payroll providers
• Tax advisers
• External auditors and other finance service providers

Qualifications Experience & Qualifications

• 2–5 years' experience in an accounting, finance or financial control environment.
• Experience with Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable processing.
• Good understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and general ledger accounting.
• Experience with bank reconciliations and month-end accounting.
• Experience preparing or supporting VAT returns.
• Experience with payroll accounting and journals would be an advantage.
• Experience taking accounts through to Trial Balance is preferred.
• Experience working within a structured month-end close process.
• Relevant accounting/finance qualification such as MBO/HBO Finance, Finance & Control, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in an international or multi-company environment is advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Organised and able to manage multiple deadlines.
• Comfortable working with numbers and financial data.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• Proactive approach to identifying and resolving discrepancies.
• Able to work independently while knowing when to escalate issues.
• Good communication skills and ability to work effectively with non-finance colleagues.
• Comfortable working in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong Excel skills; experience with an ERP/accounting system is required (Exact online)
• Fluent in English; Dutch language skills are an advantage.

What Success Looks Like The successful candidate will ensure that:

• AP, AR and bank transactions are processed accurately and on time.
• Bank, AP, AR, VAT and balance sheet reconciliations are complete and well maintained.
• The general ledger is accurate and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Month-end journals and accounting entries are completed within the agreed timetable.
• The local accounts are brought to an accurate Trial Balance each month.
• NL Group Finance receives complete and reliable financial information within the reporting deadline.
• Issues and discrepancies are identified early and escalated appropriately.
• The Finance Manager / Finance Director can rely on the underlying accounting records and reconciliations.

Additional Information What Can You Expect from Us?

• A team that fully utilizes your skills and talents, and where you can learn a lot from experienced teammates;
• A broad role with plenty of learning and growth opportunities;
• Various training and development options;
• A competitive salary with excellent secondary benefits;
• A super friendly office where you can bring your dog, featuring a beautiful terrace and our own bar on the 6th floor;
• Tasty lunches and drinks;
• The Work Your World Program: the chance to work from anywhere in the world for 6 weeks a year;
• Discounts on ClassPass and a bike plan;
• A work environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and respected.

Are you excited after reading this? Send us your application and CV, and you might soon join us at Wilgenweg in Amsterdam. We look forward to meeting you!