Group Financial Accountant

**Job Titles**: Group Financial Accountant
**Team**:Finance

**Contract**: Permanent

**Level**:Intermediate/Advanced
Please refer to our Capability Framework
**Location**: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, UK
**Start Date**:January/February 2025

**ABOUT US**

At EIT Climate-KIC, we are wholeheartedly committed to building a diverse and representative team and an inclusive workplace that values different life experiences and perspectives, and we encourage personal development, learning and growth.

Don’t let Imposter Syndrome stop you from applying

EIT Climate-KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Community) is Europe’s foremost climate innovation initiative, entrusted by the European Commission to catalyse transformation through innovation. Headquartered in Amsterdam, with circa 160 people distributed all over the EU, EIT Climate-KIC leads and orchestrates innovation with a community of more than 400. Together we conduct activities in 39 countries. We partner with cities, regions, governments and communities with the highest climate action ambition; providing the framework and expert support to holistically manage the complexity of climate change and deliver accelerated climate action.

EIT Climate-KIC operates as a not-for-profit platform working through public-private partnership, wielding both public and private funding. We consist of 3 Legal entities: a Dutch BV Holding company (for profit) with 14 branches in European jurisdictions, providing grant management, innovation orchestration services, and impact investment advisory owned by a Dutch-based foundation with charity status - Climate-KIC International Foundation. Historically, we have been funded by our founder and core funder, the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT), but we are currently transitioning to a multi-funder model.

**ABOUT THE ROLE**

As Group Financial Accountant, you will play a leading role in the Enabling Services team, who together enable the organization to deliver innovation that creates the change we have committed to, meet our funders’ needs, and support our partners and community to work seamlessly alongside us.

Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, the Group Financial Accountant will oversee and manage the monthly close process, lead the preparation of year-end financial statements for the group, and coordinate the annual audit. These responsibilities should be underpinned by a focus on user experience and on fit-for-purpose platforms, processes, procedures, systems, and tools.

**Key Responsibilities**

**Management**:

- Manage and develop 2-3 finance assistants
- Manage interactions with teams across the organisation, collaborating in the key processes of financial management and provide guidance and advice to the business.

**Month-End Process and Close**:

- Oversee and manage the monthly close process, ensuring all transactions are accurately recorded and completed within the month end timetable.
- Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring that all discrepancies are investigated and resolved in a timely manner.
- Work with the finance team to ensure the accuracy of the trial balance and prepare key month-end journals, including accruals, prepayments, and provisions.
- Ensure all intercompany transactions and balances are reconciled and eliminate intercompany profit, and are in line with transfer pricing requirements.
- Perform detailed variance analysis of key financial statements, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow.
- Collaborate with other departments (e.g., FP&A, clusters) to ensure accurate financial data for reporting.
- Ensure compliance with internal controls and accounting policies throughout the close process.

**Year-end accounts process**:

- Lead the timely and accurate preparation of financial information in line with statutory reporting, management accounting, and funder requirements.
- Coordinate and lead the preparation and audit of the consolidated Climate-KIC Group entities and branch financials. This includes:

- Liaising with the external auditors
- Preparing and managing the timetable for preparation and audit of the financial statements, ensuring all financial statements are signed off within required timelines.
- Assisting local teams in resolving audit queries as necessary, ensuring local audits are completed on time, within budget and with mínimal issues or adjustments.
- Preparing consolidated financial statements, ensuring they are compliant under Dutch GAAP, with supporting working papers

**Local reporting and compliance**:

- Manage reporting timelines including filing deadlines for assigned funds and all branches in the structure, and that all deadlines (e.g., lenders, investors, statutory) are met.
- Perform high-level review of local branches companies; review financial statements prepared by local teams, ensuring they are correctly prepared under Dutch GAAP (or local GAAP if required).
- Ensure timely