Group Accounting

Pattyn Group (€158 million turnover), headquartered in Bruges, is a pioneer in automated packaging solutions. We specialize in bulk packaging for a wide range of industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial goods. We design and build innovative, high-quality packaging machinery that seamlessly integrates into production lines, helping customers improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product safety throughout the packaging process. We operate in five countries, with production sites in Bruges (Pattyn Belgium & Pattyn Metal Construction), Deerlijk (Pattyn Bulk Packaging), France (Pattyn France) and Spain (GMP) as well as sales and service centers in Kuala Lumpur (Pattyn Asia) and North America (Pattyn North America). With over 250 employees in Belgium and more than 600 colleagues worldwide, we continue to grow and strengthen our position as a global partner in packaging technology. As a proud member of the Duravant family, a global leader in engineered equipment and automation solutions, Pattyn benefits from an extensive international network, strategic investments, and access to cutting-edge technologies. This partnership enables us to further expand our expertise, accelerate innovation, and deliver groundbreaking packaging solutions to customers around the world. Driven by a passionate team of professionals, we continuously push the boundaries of packaging automation while fostering an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and rewarding environment where talented people can grow and make an impact. Your challenge The Group Accounting & Internal Controls Manager is responsible for ensuring consistent, accurate and compliant accounting practices across all Pattyn Group entities. The role drives the standardization of accounting policies, safeguards the integrity of financial reporting and internal controls, and acts as the primary point of contact for external auditors across the Group. In addition, the position plays a key role in improving the efficiency and reliability of financial closing processes, strengthening financial governance and supporting local finance teams in applying Group standards and best practices.

Key responsibilities
Group Accounting Governance & Compliance
• Ensure consistent application of Group accounting policies and relevant accounting standards across all international entities.
• Act as the technical accounting expert and key point of contact for local accounting and finance teams.
• Harmonize local charts of accounts and ensure accurate mapping to the Group chart of accounts.
• Review the accounting treatment of complex transactions, including revenue recognition, leases, provisions and intercompany transactions.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Group accounting manual, policies and procedures.
• Monitor changes in accounting standards and assess their impact on Group financial reporting.
• Conduct periodic accounting reviews and site visits to assess compliance and identify improvement opportunities. External Audit Management
• Act as the central point of contact for external auditors across all Group entities, covering both statutory and Group audits.
• Coordinate audit planning, timelines, information requests and deliverables with local finance teams.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of audit documentation.
• Review audit findings and management letters, and coordinate corrective actions.
• Monitor the implementation of audit recommendations and ensure timely resolution of outstanding issues.
• Manage audit scope and fees in coordination with Group Finance leadership.
• Ensure timely and successful completion of audits across all entities. Internal Controls & SOX Compliance
• Own and coordinate the Group's internal control framework for financial reporting, including SOX compliance.
• Ensure that key financial controls are appropriately documented, implemented, tested and monitored.
• Coordinate internal control assessments and testing with local finance teams, internal audit and external auditors.
• Identify control deficiencies, assess associated risks and drive corrective action plans.
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties, authorization procedures and approval workflows.
• Promote a strong internal control culture and continuous compliance improvement across the Group. Balance Sheet Integrity & Reconciliations
• Establish and maintain Group-wide standards for monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Ensure timely preparation, review and resolution of balance sheet reconciliations across all entities.
• Review critical accounts, including intercompany balances, accruals, fixed assets, bank accounts and tax-related balances.
• Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies and unexplained balances.
• Coordinate intercompany reconciliation and support accurate elimination of intercompany transactions during consolidation.
• Drive improvements in balance sheet quality, transparency and reliability. Financial Closing & Process Improvement
• Analyze and continuously improve month-end, quarter-end and year-end closing processes across the Group.
• Standardize closing calendars, procedures, checklists and reporting requirements.
• Identify opportunities to accelerate financial closing while maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance.
• Drive simplification, harmonization and automation of accounting processes.
• Collaborate with local finance teams and IT to improve the effective use of ERP systems and financial tools.
• Define and monitor closing performance indicators, including timeliness, accuracy and reconciliation completion.
• Lead or support finance transformation initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and financial reporting quality. Stakeholder Management & Capability Building
• Build strong working relationships with local finance teams across the Group.
• Provide technical guidance and practical support on accounting and internal control matters.
• Develop and deliver training on Group accounting policies, financial controls and best practices.
• Share knowledge and facilitate the adoption of standardized processes across international entities.
• Collaborate closely with Group FP&A to ensure consistent, reliable and timely financial information.
• Act as a change agent, driving improvements in a decentralized and international organization. Who are you?
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA or equivalent) preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience, preferably including Big 4 audit and/or Group Accounting in a multinational environment.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and/or US GAAP, consolidation, SOX compliance and internal control frameworks.
• Proven experience in external audit management and international accounting practices.
• Strong analytical skills, technical rigor and attention to detail, with a high standard for accuracy and compliance.
• Process-driven and improvement-oriented, with the ability to identify inefficiencies and implement practical solutions.
• Strong ownership, organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority and coach local finance teams.
• Strong ERP knowledge, advanced Excel skills and affinity with digitalization and automation.
• Fluent English; French is a strong asset. It's all about U Would you like to work in an environment that:
• Is innovative and dynamic?
• Has an international scope while maintaining a family-oriented culture?
• Invests in your development and training? Through our Pattyn Academy or external learning opportunities, you can continue to grow both personally and professionally.
• Gives you the opportunity to work from any of our Pattyn locations. This international role allows you to build strong connections and collaborate with colleagues across our global organisation.
• Offers an attractive salary package in line with your experience and background, complemented by a range of fringe benefits.
• Guarantees a great working atmosphere, surrounded by colleagues you'll enjoy working with every day.