JOB TITLE: Senior Financial Accounting Manager
COMPANY: UK HUB and REN Global
DEPARTMENT: Finance
REPORTS TO: Financial Controller
Company Overview:
Unilever has established a new division within its Beauty & Personal Care sector: Unilever Prestige. This division focuses on premium luxury brands in a fast-growing segment. In the UK, we operate the Prestige Hub, which functions as the Group Headquarters for REN Clean Skincare and serves as the UK offices for other Prestige entities based in Southwark, London. These include: REN Clean Skincare, Murad Skincare, Living Proof Haircare, TATCHA Skincare, and Kate Somerville Skincare.
Position Overview:
The Senior Financial Accounting Manager will play a key role within the prestige HUB, responsible for UK Hub brands and REN Global finance, spanning the UK, International, US, and China markets. At the heart of this role is ensuring the integrity of financial data, overseeing all accounting and financial reporting responsibilities across five Prestige Hub brands, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and leading the month-end processes. The Senior Financial Accounting Manager will also manage and support the development of the Financial Accountant, who will support in the execution of all financial responsibilities and will have direct oversight of all financial activities across the Prestige Hub brands.
This position requires strong technical accounting skills, analytical abilities, and experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams to improve financial processes. The ideal candidate will also have demonstrated leadership and people management skills.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Financial Reporting & Analysis:
o Oversee the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for five Prestige Hub brands, in line with IFRS and GAAP standards.
o Ensure the accuracy of financial reporting and maintain the integrity of the general ledger across multiple brands.
o Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including journal entries, reconciliations, and variance analysis.
o Collaborate with the Commercial Finance Manager to enhance financial reporting using the Adaptive Insights tool.
o Prepare consolidated financial statements for multiple legal entities within the Prestige Hub.
2. Statutory Reporting, Compliance, and Controls:
o Prepare statutory accounts for all relevant legal entities within the Prestige Hub.
o Ensure timely submission of statutory filings, including VAT returns.
o Work closely with external auditors to facilitate the annual audit process and address any audit findings.
o Maintain and improve internal controls over financial reporting, ensuring adherence to corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
o Ensure compliance with tax regulations, including VAT, corporate tax, and payroll taxes, in collaboration with group tax advisors.
3. Budgeting & Forecasting:
o Support the annual budgeting and forecasting processes in collaboration with Commercial Finance.
o Analyse budget vs. actual results and provide insights into performance variances across the Prestige brands.
4. Cash Flow / Working Capital Management:
o Monitor and manage cash flow forecasting and working capital requirements across the five brands.
o Provide regular updates to senior management on cash flow status and treasury activities.
5. Line Management:
o Manage and oversee the Financial Accountant, providing mentorship, guidance, and ensuring the effective management of REN US accounting activities.
o Ensure clear communication and collaboration within the finance team, driving high standards of performance and development for direct reports.
6. Stakeholder Engagement:
o Serve as the primary contact for all accounting matters with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, tax authorities, and banks.
o Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., commercial, operations, HR) to address financial queries and support business initiatives.
7. Process Improvement:
o Continuously drive improvements in financial processes, systems, and tools across the Prestige Hub brands to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and reporting capabilities.
o Lead automation initiatives within the finance function, aiming to reduce manual processes and improve data integrity.
Required Qualifications, Skills & Experience:
* Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
* ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent accounting qualification.
* Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in financial accounting or a similar role.
* Proven experience in managing and developing financial staff.
* In-depth knowledge of IFRS/GAAP and regulatory requirements.
* Strong proficiency in financial accounting software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar ERP systems).
* Advanced Excel skills.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with keen attention to detail.
* Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
* Proactive, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement.
As an equal opportunities' employer, Unilever Prestige Hub Brands: REN/Murad/Kate Somerville/Living Proof/Tatcha is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse workforce because, in our view, diversity enables better business outcomes. We also believe that a more inclusive workplace, where people of different backgrounds work together, ensures better outcomes for all staff. From application to interview, we place inclusion at the heart of all we do. In particular, we strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Unilever Prestige Hub Brands/REN/Tatcha/Murad/Kate Somerville/Living Proof.
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