Join Our Team as a Financial Controller!

Are you an experienced finance professional looking for an exciting opportunity in an international environment? We are seeking a talented Financial Controller to join our dynamic team. If you have a passion for financial management and a drive for excellence, we want to hear from you!

At UArctic International Secretariat in University of Lapland, we pride ourselves on our commitment to provide unique educational, research, and innovation opportunities through collaboration within a powerful network of member institutions. Our team is our greatest asset, and we believe in fostering an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative work environment. With a strong focus on growth and development, we offer our employees the chance to make a significant impact while growing their careers.

What We Offer

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Choose to work at our Rovaniemi office and/or in a hybrid model.
• Professional Growth: Access to continuous learning and development opportunities in an international working environment.
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive environment where your contributions make a difference. As a member of the senior management team, you'll also collaborate closely with UArctic’s leadership and you will also lead a small international  finance team.
• Competitive Compensation: Attractive salary package with benefits that reward your expertise and commitment.

What you will do

• Create and implement new accounting and governance policies as needed in an international environment.
• Develop and ensure compliance with relevant regulations for international transactions, and agreements.
• Coordinate and direct budget and financial forecast preparation; report variances.
• Oversee all accounting operations, including billing, accounts receivable/payable, general ledger and counsel; cost accounting and revenue recognition.
• Manage and comply with local and global government reporting and tax requirements, with local UArctic counterparts.
• Prepare monthly financial statements with accounting partner and coordinate regulatory reporting.
• Support month-end and year-end financial closing processes.
• Research and ensure compliance with technical accounting issues.
• Develop and manage the internal control framework.
• Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to strengthen internal controls.
• Ensure quality control over financial transactions and reporting.
• Oversee and evaluate project progress and reporting to meet funding bodies’ requirements.
• Perform additional duties as necessary.

You will bring

• Advanced degree in Economics (MSc Accounting, BBA or similar).
• Ideally proven working experience as a Financial Controller or as an auditor in Big4-firm; 5+ years of overall combined accounting and finance experience.
• Thorough knowledge of Finnish GAAP accounting principles and procedures.
• Knowledge on association accounting and funding principles.
• Experience with creating financial statements.
• Experience with general ledger functions and the month-end/year end close process.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey financial information to non- financial stakeholders.
• Adaptability and open-minded approach.
• Fluent in English and intermediate in Finnish (working language mostly English).
• Openness to international travel.

You may also bring

• Experience of multinational working environment
• Knowledge of accounting software Lemonsoft
• Other languages

Further information on the position

Further information on the position is available through Outi Snellman, tel. +358 405010209, firstname.lastname@ulapland.fi  
Interviews will be held on 25 November between 8am and 11am (local time).

Address: Yliopistonkatu 8, 96300 ROVANIEMI 
Duration of employment: permanent from 7 January 2025 or as agreed
Work hours: full-time employment
Trial period: 6 months
Salary: The salary is determined on the basis of level 9 - 10 for other expert and support staff, from the salary system of the general collective agreement for universities (Sivista). In addition, a salary component based on personal performance is paid, up to a maximum of 50%. The starting monthly salary level is approximately 3824€ – 4412€.

Why join UArctic?

The University of the Arctic (UArctic) is a network of universities, colleges, research institutes, and other organizations concerned with education and research in and about the North. UArctic builds and strengthens collective resources and infrastructures that enable member institutions to better serve their constituents and their regions.

Through cooperation in education, research, and outreach we enhance human capacity in the North, promote viable communities and sustainable economies, and forge global partnerships. Created through the Arctic Council, UArctic is committed to upholding its principles of sustainable development as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. UArctic is constituted as an international association based in Finland.

Over the years, UArctic has received support from many national and international funding bodies for targeted project activities. The projects are run by the applying member institution, usually with several other members as partners, and they are often linked to a UArctic Thematic Network. Financial controller tasks include oversight of member institutions running the projects.

University of Lapland

The University of Lapland is an international science and art university located in the City of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. Our university creates new knowledge, skills and competence from the arctic perspective – for the North and for the world. Our fields of education and research include educational science, law, art and design, social sciences, and northern and arctic perspectives. Our strategic choices focus on global arctic responsibility, sustainable tourism, future services and governing distances.