Accounting Process Lead Alken-Maes at Heineken UK… · Leiden

Do you know Belgian accounting inside out and enjoy being the person others turn to for advice? At Alken-Maes, you’ll put that expertise to work in a role that connects local accounting with the wider business.

With a clear focus on Record to Report and Belgian statutory accounting, you’ll combine technical depth with broader end-to-end Finance responsibilities. Working with colleagues across Belgium, the Netherlands and our shared service centers in Krakow, you’ll tackle complex accounting questions, build strong relationships and turn challenges into practical improvements. If you enjoy taking ownership, speaking up and helping others move forward, this role offers plenty of scope to make your mark!

Location: Mechelen, BE (With travel to Leiden, once a month)

Your Responsibilities

• Be the go-to person for local accounting and RtR topics, ensuring compliance, efficiency and alignment with business needs and Belgian GAAP requirements.
• Act as a bridge between the business and HBS, translating operational and accounting challenges into actionable and sustainable solutions.
• Actively participate in period-end and year-end closes, reviewing key accounting activities to ensure a smooth, accurate and OTIF closing process.
• Provide guidance and expertise on complex accounting questions, particularly where Belgian GAAP and local statutory requirements are involved.
• Support and coordinate external audits, ensuring smooth cooperation with auditors, HBS and relevant local stakeholders.
• Help shape the future of Finance at Alken-Maes by enabling end-to-end process improvements, strengthening controls and driving standardization.

RtR – Record to Report (primary focus)

• Act as the main local contact for RtR accounting processes and related process improvements.
• Actively participate in and review period-end and year-end closing activities.
• Provide guidance on complex accounting matters and ensure appropriate accounting treatment in line with Belgian GAAP and Group accounting requirements.
• Support the preparation and review of statutory reporting and ensure local accounting requirements are appropriately reflected.
• Ensure accounting process documentation is complete and up to date and drive corrective actions where required.
• Coordinate external audit requests on the OpCo side and follow up on audit findings and actions.
• Liaise with Tax and other Finance stakeholders to support statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Support escalation and resolution of business-related RtR activities and drive structural solutions together with HBS.

PtP – Procure to Pay

• Provide support for activities requiring local knowledge or language expertise.
• Support escalation of business-related PtP issues and follow up on actions.
• Identify opportunities for upstream process improvements impacting PtP.

OtC – Order to Cash

• Collaborate with local OtC stakeholders and HBS to resolve specific accounting and process issues.
• Support end-to-end improvements where local OtC activities impact accounting and financial reporting.

Cross-functional collaboration & continuous improvement

• Enable end-to-end Finance improvements by working with HBS and local functions.
• Act as a key liaison between the OpCo and HBS for accounting-related topics.
• Manage relationships with relevant internal and external local stakeholders.
• Drive standardization, simplification, process improvements and stronger financial controls.
• Supervise or provide oversight of transactional Finance activities retained within the OpCo where applicable.

Your Profile

You’re a proactive Finance professional who takes ownership and brings a solution-oriented mindset. With strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills, you confidently advise on complex accounting matters and connect technical accounting topics with business requirements.

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field, with at least five years of relevant experience in financial accounting or Record to Report roles.
• Excellent knowledge of Belgian GAAP and Belgian statutory accounting requirements, alongside a good understanding of IFRS/Group accounting requirements and how they interact with Belgian statutory accounting.
• Strong understanding of period-end and year-end closing, balance sheet accounting and financial reporting, with experience in statutory reporting and external audits.
• Good knowledge of ERP systems, preferably SAP/S4HANA, with the ability to add value through standardization, continuous improvement and stronger financial controls.
• Experience working with shared service centers, remote teams and cross-functional departments.
• You speak Dutch and are fluent in spoken and written English. Knowledge of French is an advantage.

As part of your application, we’ll ask you a few short pre-screening questions to help us understand how your experience matches the role. Once you’ve completed these, our recruitment team will personally review your application. This review is carried out by people, without automated screening tools. Submit your application by 10 November 2026, when this vacancy closes to new applicants. We aim to get back to you within five days after the closing date.