Freelance Business Controller (Interim) – East Flanders

Location

East Flanders, Belgium (hybrid)

Contract

• Freelance / Interim
• 6-month contract
• Start: Mid-August (ASAP)

The Opportunity

Our client, a leading industrial services company, is looking for an experienced Freelance Business Controller to join the team on an interim basis. This assignment has arisen due to a planned departure within the finance team, making a timely handover essential.

This is a highly business-facing controlling role where you will act as the financial partner to operational management. Rather than focusing purely on accounting, you will provide commercial insight, challenge performance, and support decision-making across multiple projects.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced operational environment, building strong relationships with project leaders and senior stakeholders while translating financial data into meaningful business insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with operational managers and project leaders to drive financial performance.
• Analyse revenue, margins, Work in Progress (WIP), forecasts, KPIs, and accounts receivable.
• Monitor project performance, identify risks and opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Build and improve forecasting and budgeting processes.
• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards and management reports.
• Investigate financial variances and communicate findings to both finance and operations.
• Ensure reconciliation between reporting systems and ERP data.
• Support month-end and year-end closing activities from a project controlling perspective.
• Continuously improve reporting processes and financial controls.
• Act as a trusted sparring partner for operational stakeholders, helping them understand and manage business performance.

About You

We’re looking for a confident Business Controller with strong commercial awareness who can see the bigger picture beyond the numbers.

You will ideally have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline.
• 3–5+ years’ experience in Business Controlling, Audit, FP&A, or a similar analytical finance role.
• Strong understanding of project controlling and Work in Progress (WIP).
• Experience partnering with operational or project-based businesses.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience using Power BI.
• ERP experience (Navision/Microsoft Dynamics NAV is highly advantageous).
• Fluent Dutch and English communication skills.
• French is considered a plus.

The Ideal Candidate

This role requires someone who is commercially minded, assertive, and confident engaging with operational stakeholders.

You should be someone who:

• Can challenge managers constructively and influence decision-making.
• Understands operational finance rather than purely financial accounting.
• Is proactive, inquisitive, and comfortable asking difficult questions.
• Communicates clearly and confidently in a direct working environment.
• Takes ownership and works independently.

Candidates whose experience is predominantly accounting-focused, without broader business partnering or controlling responsibilities, are less likely to be suitable for this position.

Working Arrangement

The role is primarily based on-site in East Flanders to support collaboration with operational teams, particularly during the onboarding and handover period. Once established in the role, limited hybrid working may be possible depending on business needs and individual performance.