John Bower

Director - Finance

Phone number: +41 41 588 1861

Email: [email protected]

Director - Finance

John is a specialist recruiter with over 20 years of experience across several varied disciplines, 12 of which have been dedicated to Finance & Accountancy.

Originally starting in Industry recruitment, he moved to B2B Marketing and evolved into Finance, giving him a solid understanding of the recruitment process.

Now, as Director of Finance Recruitment for the Suisse Romande region, John specialises in a variety of Finance roles, including Accounting, Controlling, M&A, Tax, Treasury, FP&A, Audit, Risk, E2E Project, and Strategy.

He is highly skilled in coaching and providing career consultations for Finance & Accountancy professionals, either on a one-to-one basis or in partnership with accredited financial associations and universities. John is very thorough in his approach to providing a value-added service to job seekers.

Having worked in Switzerland for over ten years, John shares his knowledge and market insights with clients and candidates. Being able to continuously learn about people, their roles, motivations, and experience allows him to champion talent and manage expectations.

He hosts exclusive networking events for middle management to executive level Finance & Accountancy professionals operating in Suisse Romande to share market insights and develop relationships. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to John directly.

John’s Interests

John enjoys the stimulation that new technology provides. In the past, he has built a PC for his parents and has completed another PC build with his daughter.

He is a keen gamer, enjoys reading, politics, and learning about international affairs, with an interest in global news.

John's Successful Candidates

  • Finance Director
  • Finance Controller
  • Treasurer
  • Global Indirect Tax Director
  • BU Controller

Director - Finance

Interests

  • TechnologyTechnology
  • International AffairsInternational Affairs
  • GamingGaming
  • Politics
  • ReadingReading

John Bower

Director - Finance

Phone number: +41 41 588 1861

Email: [email protected]

John is a specialist recruiter with over 20 years of experience across several varied disciplines, 12 of which have been dedicated to Finance & Accountancy.

Originally starting in Industry recruitment, he moved to B2B Marketing and evolved into Finance, giving him a solid understanding of the recruitment process.

Now, as Director of Finance Recruitment for the Suisse Romande region, John specialises in a variety of Finance roles, including Accounting, Controlling, M&A, Tax, Treasury, FP&A, Audit, Risk, E2E Project, and Strategy.

He is highly skilled in coaching and providing career consultations for Finance & Accountancy professionals, either on a one-to-one basis or in partnership with accredited financial associations and universities. John is very thorough in his approach to providing a value-added service to job seekers.

Having worked in Switzerland for over ten years, John shares his knowledge and market insights with clients and candidates. Being able to continuously learn about people, their roles, motivations, and experience allows him to champion talent and manage expectations.

He hosts exclusive networking events for middle management to executive level Finance & Accountancy professionals operating in Suisse Romande to share market insights and develop relationships. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to John directly.

John’s Interests

John enjoys the stimulation that new technology provides. In the past, he has built a PC for his parents and has completed another PC build with his daughter.

He is a keen gamer, enjoys reading, politics, and learning about international affairs, with an interest in global news.

John's Successful Candidates

  • Finance Director
  • Finance Controller
  • Treasurer
  • Global Indirect Tax Director
  • BU Controller
Circle Image

Interests

  • TechnologyTechnology
  • International AffairsInternational Affairs
  • GamingGaming
  • Politics
  • ReadingReading

Clients

Testimonial

John supported me in recruiting a new person for my team (manager position), and I was very happy with how it went. 

John spent time to understand the requirements, including the cultural aspects. He rapidly returned with a short list of candidates who perfectly matched the request, so no need to further filter [the list] on my side. 

Quick and smooth process: a message describing why the candidate was selected before each interview, feedback discussion afterwards and good support to wrap up the deal. 

John also kept in contact with the selected candidate until the start date and even a couple of weeks afterwards to ensure any potential issues could be addressed. I can recommend him without hesitation.

Christopher Vanhoren, Group CFO at Allseas

More From John

 

Latest Insights from John

Associate Director Celebrating 6 Years

Associate Director Celebrating 6 Years

Our Director - Finance, John Bower, is celebrating his 6-year work anniversary with EMEA Recruitment this week. John is a specialist in finance recruitment who has developed a broad network in the Suisse Romande region. With overall recruitment exper

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Networking for Swiss Finance Professionals

Successful Networking for Swiss Finance

We understand how important networking is for Swiss Finance professionals. EMEA Recruitment is proud to host virtual and in-person networking activities across Switzerland for Finance & Accountancy professionals.   Having built a stron

Read more >
Swiss Recruitment: Onward to 2021

Swiss Recruitment: Onward to 2021

2020 did not follow any previously established pattern in the Swiss recruitment world. In Q1, we already had started seeing some drop-off in candidate movement related to APAC and the (at the time distant) pandemic. Q2 was an interesting moment. T

Read more >
When Should Salary be Discussed in the Recruitment Process?

When Should Salary be Discussed in the Recruitment Process?

A few weeks ago, we put out a poll via LinkedIn, asking the question: “At what stage of the recruitment process should salary information be made available?”  This was clearly an emotive topic, as the poll received over 3,300 votes and 9

Read more >
The Work from Home Data is Coming In

The Work from Home Data is Coming In

Nick Bloom, a professor at Stanford University, has been confirming what a lot of our LinkedIn polls have been telling us for some time now: the corporate world appears to have settled into a “three work, two home” split of hybrid work. He add

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John Bower JOBS

Competitive
Posted 3 weeks ago

On behalf of our international client, we are seeking a dynamic Controller to join their Group Controlling team.

This role is ideal for someone looking to impact business strategy and operations in an international environment, enhancing financial transparency and contributing to overall business success.

Key Responsibilities of the Controller:

  • Support strategic projects and initiatives under the guidance of the Regional CFO
  • Enhance cash management strategies and optimize working capital
  • Analyse and identify profitability opportunities across various business dimensions
  • Execute cost control measures and manage Forex exposure
  • Oversee the creation and revision of financial reports, including budgeting, forecasting, and audit reviews
  • Lead corporate finance projects and drive efficiency programs


Candidate Profile:

  • Master’s degree in Finance or Economics is required; professional certification (CPA or ACCA) is preferred
  • Exposure to financial controlling, FP&A, or external audit, with prior experience in the shipping or logistics industry essential
  • Proficient in advanced Excel and SAP, capable of executing complex analyses
  • Analytical and critical thinker with a results-oriented approach
  • Capable of working under pressure and managing tight deadlines
  • Proactive and self-starting with excellent communication skills and team management experience


Additional Requirements:

  • Excellent command of English, both written and spoken; proficiency in another European language is a plus

EMEA Recruitment is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.
Competitive
Posted 3 weeks ago
EMEA Recruitment is seeking a Finance Manager – Trade Performance to join our prestigious international client in the shipping industry.

In this advanced role, you will be instrumental in leading the strategic analysis and benchmarking of trade revenues across sea and land sectors.

Your expertise will enable our client to pinpoint key market trends, drive strategic decision-making, and optimize financial performance at a global level.


Key Responsibilities of the Finance Manager – Trade Performance:
  • Strategic Analysis and Benchmarking: Spearhead in-depth analyses of trade revenues, crafting benchmarking methodologies to gauge our performance against industry standards and top competitors
  • Reporting and Insights Communication: Craft and deliver sophisticated presentations and detailed reports to executive management, transforming complex data into clear, actionable insights
  • Special Conditions Analysis: Conduct critical evaluations of THC, local charges, and demurrage, strategizing to enhance financial outcomes and streamline revenue strategies
  • KPI and Performance Reporting: Develop and refine frameworks for monthly KPIs and performance analysis, advancing reporting tools and techniques to bolster strategic decisions
  • Ad-Hoc Analysis and Strategic Support: Manage and fulfill high-level analysis requests from leadership, serving as a key strategic advisor and championing a data-driven approach within the organization
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Forge and maintain pivotal relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring strategic alignment and cooperative success in broad organizational initiatives

The skills and experience required for this Finance Manager – Trade Performance role include:
  • A minimum of 7-10 years in a senior analytical role within the shipping or related industry, demonstrating a proven track record of impactful financial analysis
  • Advanced degree in Finance, Business Management, or a relevant Maritime field. Additional professional certifications (e.g., CFA, CPA) are preferred
  • Expert-level proficiency in Excel and other analytical tools; demonstrated ability to handle complex data sets with precision
  • Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the capability to influence at the senior management level and thrive under pressure
  • Proficiency in English and French is required, with additional languages beneficial
  • Must possess EU citizenship or a valid Swiss work permit

EMEA Recruitment is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.
Competitive
Posted 3 weeks ago

On behalf of our international client, we are seeking an Internal Auditor to play a critical role in strengthening their internal controls, ensuring compliance, and enhancing the overall governance of the organisation.

This position is ideal for a professional looking to apply their auditing skills in a dynamic, multinational environment.

The key responsibilities of the Internal Auditor are:

  • Audit Planning and Execution: Develop and execute audit plans to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance processes across various departments
  • Compliance and Risk Management: Evaluate compliance with statutory laws and regulations. Identify any risks to the organization and recommend mitigation strategies
  • Reporting and Recommendations: Prepare detailed reports on audit findings and present these to senior management. Propose actionable improvements to enhance systems and processes
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with various teams to understand business processes and systems. Foster a culture of transparency and continuous improvement
  • Special Audits: Conduct ad-hoc audits as requested by management, providing insights and guidance on specific issues or areas of concern

The skills required of the Internal Auditor are:

  • Experience Required: Internal auditing, preferably in a corporate setting. Experience in the shipping/transport industry is advantageous but not required
  • Educational Background: Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Certification as a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or similar is highly preferred
  • Skills: Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently. Proficient in auditing software and Microsoft Office
  • Soft Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to handle sensitive information discreetly
  • Language Requirements: Proficiency in English is required; additional languages are a plus
  • Eligibility: EU citizenship or a valid Swiss work permit is necessary

EMEA Recruitment is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.