Senior Controller

About Us: At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. But our company is more than datasets, lines of code or A/B tests. We’re the thrill of the first night in a new place. The excitement of the next morning. The friends you encounter. The journeys you take. The sights you see. And the memories you make. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

As a Senior Controller you will join our Global Accounting Team in our office in Amsterdam. You will report to the Senior Manager and you will be working from our headquarters in Amsterdam. Senior Controller is part of the Global Accounting & Controlling organization, working together with the Corporate and Regional accounting teams, collaborating closely with various stakeholders across the Finance department and other business units.  This role takes full ownership and responsibility of accounting for a defined, but limited, set of Booking.com entities within scope of responsibility, in accordance with US GAAP, local GAAP and compliance with both internal and external requirements

The focus of this position is to ensure the accurate and timely financial reporting of areas within your scope. To strengthen the control environment across Fixed Assets, Lease Accounting, Internally Developed Software (IDS) and Cloud Computing Arrangements (CCA), you will have the opportunity to implement new processes and contribute towards a high level of innovation for existing activities. Your critical mindset, ability to multi-task and clear communication with different stakeholders will be critical to success.

It is important that this candidate has extensive experience with IDS, Fixed Assets, Lease Accounting and Cloud Computing Arrangements general ledger accounting, strong hands-on knowledge of the SAP FA (FI-AA) module, and is comfortable with complex (SOx) reconciliations. Strong communication and stakeholder-facing skills are essential. 

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the month end closing process for areas within your scope and reporting to senior Manager, ensuring deadlines are met for financial close activities.

• Review and approve monthly reconciliations in accordance with US GAAP and SOx frameworks.

• Work closely with Risk & Control, Internal Audit and External Audit to ensure that relevant SOx and business controls are maintained and improved as required.

• Collaborate closely with senior stakeholders across the business and within Finance. Partner with the R&D team and business / product owners to assess new projects and developments upfront - ensuring capitalization decisions are made at project inception, not at close.

• Own the relationship with the Group Reporting function including continuously improving the quality and detail of the submissions and schedules to the Group Finance functions and responsible for driving for on-time resolution of all queries.

• Support in the management of the audit process: acting as key liaison for the auditors; coordinating audit deliverables and working with the wider team to ensure all relevant deadlines are met.

• Drive standardization and creation of global processes, maximizing automation and simplification of tasks.

• Identify, develop and make improvements & drive automations with new ideas, techniques, procedures, services, products or cross-functional innovation and improvement projects in global accounting 

• Identify, initiate, prioritize and follow-up process improvements and team projects which directly impact daily activities of the team. 

• Have a working understanding of the balance sheet and P&L in order to ensure appropriate accounting standards are applied, and to facilitate collaboration with stakeholders in finance and business.

• Provide accounting guidance to the accounting team and COE / GBS colleagues on complex FA / LA / IDS / CCA matters, coaching on judgment areas and monitoring quality of operational execution.

• Lead internal and BV post‑close calls with the Accounting Leadership Team, ensuring clear, accurate and complete commentaries

• Lead large-scale fixed asset and IDS accounting initiatives - transformations, system migrations, useful-life reassessments and control framework redesigns.

• This list of duties is not exhaustive and you may be required to complete ad-hoc tasks as requested by your manager.

Required Education, Qualifications & Experience:

• University (Accounting, Business, Economic) degree and/or post-graduate education (CPA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

• 10+ years experience in finance and/or accounting preferably within a multinational company

• Solid knowledge of US GAAP and SOx, with hands-on experience across the technical accounting areas relevant to this role - Fixed Assets, Lease Accounting, Internally Developed Software, and Cloud Computing Arrangements 

• Proven experience providing technical coaching and on-the-job training to accounting teams and operational colleagues 

• Enthusiasm to work in a fast paced, highly diverse, continuous developing and informal high achieving environment 

• High levels of personal effectiveness, particularly communication, organization and the ability to plan and prioritize

• Proven ability and credibility to persuade and influence in effecting changes within an organization

• Strong interpersonal skills and stakeholder management

• Proactive self-starter, who takes ownership with a strong work ethic

• Ability to work independently, self-motivated and disciplined

• Fluent in spoken and written English

• Strong hands-on experience with SAP FA (FI-AA / Asset Accounting) module - asset master data, AUC transitions, depreciation runs, retirement, transfers, useful-life changes; broader SAP S/4 experience is a plus

Benefits & Perks - Global Impact, Personal Relevance:

Booking.com’s Total Rewards Philosophy is not only about compensation but also about benefits. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, as well unique-to-Booking.com benefits which include:

• Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave

• Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)

• Industry leading product discounts - up to 1400 per year - for yourself, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit

Inclusion at Booking.com: 

Inclusion has been a core part of our company culture since day one. This ongoing journey starts with our very own employees, who represent over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations. 

Take it from our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano: “At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn’t just build an outstanding workplace, it also creates a better and more inclusive travel experience for everyone. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a place where you can make your mark and have a real impact in travel and tech.” 

We ensure that colleagues with disabilities are provided the adjustments and tools they need to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Application Process:

• Let’s go places together: How we Hire

Booking.com is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to move well beyond traditional equal opportunity and work to create an environment that allows everyone to thrive.

Pre-Employment Screening

If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre-employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable law, a pre-employment screening may include employment history, education and other information (such as media information) that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the position.