Financial Reporting

Financial Reporting & Consolidation specialist – 1 year contract - Freelancer or Employee

About the European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help tackle the climate crisis by fostering the development of a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level.

We support over 1000 partner organisations to carry out activities that drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero economy and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

The ECF brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best innovative solutions to tackle climate change. We are focusing on engaging and hiring great people from a wide diversity of backgrounds to strengthen the cause. If you share our values of respect, innovation, and collaboration, join us.

Position Summary

As a Financial Reporting & Consolidation Specialist, you will play a key role in strengthening the organization's financial reporting and consolidation capabilities.

This one-year assignment is focused on establishing a solid foundation for the collection, consolidation, and reporting of financial data across the organization. You will work closely with stakeholders to improve data quality, consistency, and transparency, helping create sustainable processes, routines, and ways of working.

Acting as the reporting specialist within the Business Control team, you will coordinate the preparation and consolidation of financial information, ensuring reliable and timely data is available to support analysis and decision-making. In parallel, you will identify opportunities to streamline and automate reporting activities, using this assignment as a pilot to drive improvements in how financial data is gathered, consolidated, and utilized across the business.

By the end of the assignment, the objective is to have stronger reporting foundations, clearer governance, and more efficient processes that can support future growth and decision-making. 

Key responsibilities

Reporting & consolidation foundations

• Coordinate the preparation of recurring financial and management reports using the latest available financial and HR data.
• Consolidate financial information from multiple entities, systems, and reporting sources into a consistent reporting framework.
• Review and simplify existing reporting packs, templates, and data flows to improve usability and efficiency.
• Support the development of standardized reporting formats, definitions, and governance practices across the organization.
• Ensure key financial reports are delivered accurately and on time while identifying opportunities to improve the reporting process.

Data quality & governance

• Assess and improve the quality, consistency, and reliability of financial data used for reporting and consolidation.
• Establish and document controls, validation checks, and reconciliation processes to strengthen confidence in reporting outputs.
• Investigate data discrepancies, identify root causes, and work with stakeholders to drive sustainable solutions.
• Promote clear ownership and accountability for data inputs across reporting processes.
• Contribute to the creation of reporting standards and best practices that can be maintained beyond the assignment.

Consolidation process improvement

• Lead the consolidation of financial information across legal entities and reporting structures.
• Review current consolidation methodologies and identify opportunities for harmonization and simplification.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end reporting cycles while documenting and optimizing related processes.
• Develop clear process documentation and operating guidelines to enable consistent reporting practices.
• Help establish a more scalable and sustainable consolidation model for future reporting needs.

Financial analysis & reporting insights

• Perform variance, trend, and year-on-year analyses to support management reporting.
• Collaborate with Business Controllers to understand key financial movements and reporting requirements.
• Prepare concise summaries and insights that support decision-making and highlight data quality or reporting improvement opportunities.
• Provide reliable data and supporting explanations for management and business reviews.

Reporting transformation & automation

• Identify opportunities to streamline reporting activities and reduce manual effort.
• Act as a pilot lead for improving how financial data is collected, consolidated, and reported across the organization.
• Support the design and implementation of automated reporting solutions, dashboards, and improved workflows.
• Build and maintain clear documentation of reporting processes, methodologies, and improvement initiatives.
• At the end of the assignment, deliver recommendations, documentation, and sustainable ways of working that strengthen the organization's long-term reporting and consolidation capabilities.

Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in financial reporting, consolidation, controlling, business control, or a similar finance role.
• Proven experience in consolidating financial information from multiple entities, systems, or data sources.
• Experience reviewing, improving, and documenting financial reporting processes and controls.
• Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional stakeholders to improve data quality, reporting consistency, and governance.
• Experience with reporting and data visualization tools such as Power BI, Power Query, or similar solutions is a strong advantage.
• Experience supporting automation, process optimization, or reporting transformation initiatives is preferred.

Competencies

• Strong Excel skills and experience working with large and complex financial datasets.
• Solid understanding of financial statements, accounting principles, and consolidation concepts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and propose practical solutions.
• Ability to create structure, standardize processes, and establish effective reporting routines and controls.
• Experience with financial reporting tools and the Microsoft ecosystem, including Excel, Power BI, and Power Query.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on simplification, automation, and scalability.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to drive initiatives and deliver results within a defined timeframe.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions and levels of the organization.
• High attention to detail and strong commitment to data accuracy, consistency, and reliability.
• Ability to balance hands-on execution with longer-term process and capability building.

Success in this assignment will be measured by:

• Improved consistency and quality of financial reporting and consolidation processes.
• Clear documentation, governance, and ownership of key reporting activities.
• Reduced manual effort through process optimization and automation opportunities.
• Standardized reporting formats and data definitions across key stakeholders.
• A sustainable reporting and consolidation framework that can be maintained and further developed by the organization after the assignment ends.

Other information

What we offer

· The unique opportunity to work in a highly dynamic, international team of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work;

· A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself with a growth mindset;

· Great values and accessible, collaborative management

· The chance to contribute to climate action from a highly focused professional perspective

· All of this in a full-time position.

This is your chance to build a better future

Addressing the climate crisis is a great opportunity for bold change towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable society. The need for an urgent overhaul of our economy and way of life is setting into motion a global response to our biggest societal challenges. Creating long-term solutions to climate change requires the buy-in and participation of everybody in society.

Cleaner and more efficient communities will raise the quality of life for all citizens.

Greater access to clean energy will fuel new jobs and create a dynamic new economy.

The benefits of a net-zero society can serve not only to avert disaster, but to create more peace and prosperity.

Join us to make a difference

Location: Brussels 

Start date November 2026

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups to apply