Key Skills

Job Description

Your job Do you have extensive experience in financial accounting, financial reporting, and audits? Would you like to use your expertise to contribute to reliable financial reporting and the continuous improvement of Wageningen University & Research's (WUR) financial operations? As a Senior Financial Controller, you will play a central role in several key organization-wide themes within WUR. What will you do? As a Senior Financial Controller, you will work on financial issues that are important across WUR. You will combine substantive expertise with coordinating and advisory responsibilities, collaborating closely with colleagues within the Corporate Finance & Control team, external auditors, and various decentralized organizational units. Financial Reporting & Accounting Issues You organize activities related to the preparation of annual financial statements and coordinate with the Corporate Governance & Legal Services team regarding the management report. You make a significant contribution to the preparation of the annual accounts and sections of the management report, particularly in the areas of risk management, the going concern statement, and public-private accountability. You serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors concerning interim audits and annual financial statement audits. You ensure adequate information provision and coordinate the correct processing of key balance sheet and profit-and-loss items, such as provisions and the accounting treatment of government funding. You act as a subject matter expert for complex financial accounting issues. Second-Line Project Control Together with the second-line project control group, you contribute to the quality of project control across WUR. You serve as the point of contact for auditors regarding grant and subsidy audits. You contribute to the lawful expenditure and reporting of grants and subsidies through advisory work, system design, and internal controls. You support the group with complex issues, help develop solutions, and represent the interests of project control within the broader financial management framework. Information Systems and Internal Control Framework You participate in projects focused on the implementation and renewal of information and operational systems in which financial processes play a key role. You ensure alignment with other systems, safeguard internal control principles, and promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the chosen solutions. You will report to the Manager Financial Accounting & Internal Control (FA & IC). Your Team You will be part of the FA & IC team, consisting of 11 independent professionals. Together, you work on WUR's financial management and control from various areas of expertise. The team brings together financial accounting, financial reporting, second-line support for the project control organization, taxation, internal control, and financial processes. You will work closely with the broader finance organization, the Shared Service Center Finance, and colleagues across different WUR entities. The team's strength lies in the combination of deep expertise and collaboration. You will have the opportunity to work independently on complex issues while actively consulting colleagues when needed. Knowledge sharing takes place through initiatives such as the Finance School and internal information channels. Your Working Environment As a Senior Financial Controller, you will work in a role where financial issues directly impact the operations of a large and complex organization. You will interact with various parts of WUR and have the opportunity to use your expertise to contribute both to reliable financial information and to the further improvement of processes and systems. Your qualities For this versatile position, we are looking for someone with: A higher professional education (HBO+) or academic level of thinking and working, with a completed degree in Business Economics, Accountancy, or a comparable financial discipline. A completed RA (Registered Accountant) qualification, or being in the process of obtaining one, is considered an advantage. Experience with grant and subsidy audits is also a plus. Demonstrable affinity with financial accounting and financial reporting. Experience with coordinating and managing external audits. Strong analytical skills and a keen eye for detail. A balanced approach that combines a focus on financial control with an understanding of organizational feasibility and stakeholder acceptance of change initiatives; able to be "soft where possible, firm where necessary." Strong organizational and planning skills. Excellent communication skills in Dutch. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of financial reporting, audit coordination, project control, and process improvement within one of the Netherlands' leading knowledge institutions. We offer In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of maximum €7.337,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 hours can be discussed. We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation. For details of our excellent employee benefits package, please visit our website. (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/conditions-of-employment) A Few Highlights From Our Collective Labour Agreement Include working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance; sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave; there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee; a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%; excellent pension scheme. We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Coming from abroad Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center (https://wcfv.nl/en/home/global/our-services/happy-landing-and-living/). This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job. Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community (https://www.wur.nl/en/jobs/expats-new-international-staff)page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands. Important information For more information about the position, please contact André Verwei, manager FA & IC, per e-mail; [email protected]. Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jeanine van ’t Veer, corporate recruiter via [email protected] Ready to apply? Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered. You can apply up to and including 26 October 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 4 October 2026. Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date. Procedure As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure. Welcome, safe, and valued Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization. We are The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines. Read the 5 reasons (https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Why-choose-WUR.htm) why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus! We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

Core Responsibilities

Coordinate annual financial statements, management report contributions, and external audits, while advising on complex accounting matters and ensuring accurate treatment of key financial items. Support second-line project control and grant compliance, and contribute to financial systems projects while safeguarding internal controls and improving processes.

Requirements

Requires higher professional or academic-level education in Business Economics, Accountancy, or a comparable financial discipline, along with strong affinity for financial accounting and reporting and experience coordinating external audits. A Registered Accountant qualification or progress toward it and experience with grant and subsidy audits are advantages; strong analytical, organizational, planning, and Dutch communication skills are also sought.

Benefits

• Flexible Working Hours
• Sabbatical Leave
• Study Leave
• Partially Paid Parental Leave
• Sports Facilities
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• Professional Development
• Internal Mobility
• Visa Application Support
• Partner Career Support
• Housing and Relocation Advice
• Potential Tax Exemption