Head of Accounting Benelux

We are Pernod Ricard, a leading company in the spirits industry with over 19,000 employees globally. We own 16 of the world’s top 100 Spirits Brands and hold one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry with 240 premium brands available in over 160 countries, including: Absolut vodka, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater, Malfy and Monkey 47 gins, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate and Campo Viejo wines.- Pernod Ricard Benelux is the combination of two affiliates, Pernod Ricard Belgium and Pernod Ricard Nederland.

** HEAD OF ACCOUNTING BENELUX**- Contract: Full time
- Line Manager: Benelux CFO
- Location: Brussels
- Travel: Occasional travel to Amsterdam- ** Purpose of the role**
- The Head of Accounting Benelux is the guardian of high accounting standards across the Belgian and Dutch entities, meeting both local and Group requirements.
- Managing a team of 2 senior accountants, 1 credit controller and external consultants (incl. 2 accounts payable), this person will drive the harmonisation of systems and processes within Benelux to achieve more efficient ways-of-working and ensure business continuity.

** KEY STAKEHOLDERS**
- The Head of Accounting will be a strong right arm for the Benelux CFO and will be part of the Benelux leadership team.- He/she will closely collaborate with all other local functions, in particular with finance and back-office peers. Strong relationships required as well with partners within the Pernod Ricard Group (in regional and headquarters’ finance teams and regional TECH hub).- External stakeholders: local authorities, banks, insurance companies, auditors, tax and legal experts- ** KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**- ** Deliver core accounting responsibilities to a high standard** for Pernod Ricard Belgium, Pernod Ricard Nederland and 6 Dutch holding entities- ** Financial accounting & reporting**- Oversee general ledgers, monthly closing processes and financial statements
- Ensure accuracy and compliance with local GAAP and IFRS
- Prepare statutory reporting and IFRS adjustments for Group reporting
- Manage the relationship with external auditors, coordinate audits internally and ensure compliance with audit requirements-
- **Treasury & cash management**- Monitor cash flows, banking relationships, and treasury operations
- Support cash forecasting and liquidity management
- Be responsible for accurate cash actuals & forecast reporting to the Group
- Identify and implement levers to optimise cash management-
- **Tax management**- Oversee corporate tax, VAT, and other tax filings
- Work with advisors to optimize tax position and ensure compliance-
- **Internal control & compliance**- Ensure compliance with tax, legal, and regulatory requirements
- Maintain and strengthen internal control procedures
- Drive the annual LSF (‘Loi de sécurité financière’) process, by reviewing compliance with key internal control requirements with each department
- Coordinate internal audits with the HQ and ensure the implementation of the action plan
- Oversee the relationship with financial and operational insurance partners-
- **Business partnering & projects**- Provide financial insights to support decision-making
- Collaborate with FP&A on reporting & forecasting
- Work closely with HQ teams on Group projects and local implications (CSRD reporting, quarterly closing optimisation, etc.)-
- **Drive the Benelux accounting transformation roadmap**- Work closely with the TECH team to implement JD Edwards, the new ERP system (project phase 2 starting end of January 2026, with go live target in July 2026)- Finalise gap analyses with the team, ensuring that local constraints will be well captured and taken into account
- Ensure sufficient testing before go-live
- Minimise business disruption during go-live and hypercare phases- Drive the integration of Belgian and Dutch accounting teams into one Benelux team:

- Harmonise processes and identify synergies
- Align people’s roles and responsibilities
- Identify necessary system evolutions & work closely with IT on their implementation
- Ensure seamless change management- Drive the simplification of the 6 Dutch holding entities structure, together with HQ teams. Implement the externalisation of Dutch holdings’ accounting (opportunity tbc).
- Look for continuous improvement and automation of accounting processes-
- **Manage and develop people in the team**- structure still tbc- Manage 2 local senior accountants, 1 credit controller (account receivables) and temporary external consultants (incl. 2 accounts payable)
- Complete recruitments when needed and develop people in their role
- Be the backup of senior accountants in case of absence
- Support and coach the team through transition periods, watching over people’s wellbeing-
- **PROFILE**- **Strong technical expertise and experience**- Accou