Management Account - Retail

Reports to: Finance Manager Key Stakeholders: Finance Business Partners

Overview

We're looking for an ambitious Assistant Management Accountant to join our Finance team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys combining strong management accounting fundamentals with commercial insight, analysis and continuous improvement.

Working closely with the Finance Manager and wider Finance team, you'll play a key role in period-end reporting, financial control and performance analysis across the retail business. The role offers exposure to a broad range of finance activities and provides an excellent opportunity to develop towards a qualified Management Accountant position.

Month-End and Financial Reporting

• Prepare and post period-end journals, ensuring accurate and timely recording of income and expenditure.
• Calculate and post accruals, prepayments and other accounting adjustments in line with accounting standards and company policies.
• Review ledger activity on a regular basis to support a smooth and efficient month-end close process.
• Work closely with the Accounts Payable team to ensure accurate coding and posting of invoices.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations to agreed deadlines, investigating and resolving reconciling items promptly.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts and reporting packs.

Business Partnering and Analysis

• Produce regular financial and operational reporting to support informed decision-making across the business.
• Analyse financial performance against budget, forecast and prior year.
• Provide meaningful insight into key cost drivers, trends, risks and opportunities.
• Support Finance Business Partners and operational stakeholders with ad hoc analysis and financial information requests.
• Assist with the preparation of budgets, forecasts and reforecasts.
• Contribute to the preparation of clear and concise commentary on business performance.

Controls and Compliance

• Support the year-end process, including audit deliverables and responding to auditor queries.
• Ensure accounting records are maintained accurately and in accordance with company policies and accounting standards.
• Help maintain a strong financial control environment through adherence to established processes and procedures.
• Identify and resolve issues affecting financial accuracy in a timely manner.

Continuous Improvement

• Support the development and enhancement of financial reporting, systems and processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and automation within finance activities.
• Contribute to projects aimed at improving financial controls and management information.

Essential

• Minimum 3 years' experience working within a finance team in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Studying towards a professional accountancy qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) or actively looking to study.
• Strong understanding of management accounting principles and month-end processes.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to build relationships with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience within a retail, consumer-facing or multi-site business.
• Exposure to budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis.
• Experience working with ERP or integrated finance systems.
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working, 3 days in London based office & 2 working from home
• Holiday allowance
• 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
• Pension scheme