About this role
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.
Key Responsibilities
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.
We would like to meet someone who is
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.
Benefits
- 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