Accountant / Senior Accountant

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on and commercially minded Group Accountant (Retail Finance) to join our Group Finance team. This role will support the Group's retail finance function, with primary responsibility for sales reporting, inventory accounting, Cost of Sales (COS) reporting, inventory controls, and financial analysis. The successful candidate will work closely with finance, operations, procurement, and management teams to provide timely financial information and insights that support business performance and decision-making. In addition to overseeing retail finance activities, the role may also assume responsibility for the full set of accounts of selected entities within the Group and support broader finance initiatives as required.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Finance

• Prepare and analyse monthly sales reports, including sales trends, product performance, margins, and key business metrics.
• Oversee inventory accounting and ensure accurate recording of inventory transactions.
• Monitor inventory movements, stock balances, inventory valuation, and Cost of Sales (COS).
• Perform inventory reconciliations and investigate discrepancies on a timely basis.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of sales, inventory balances, stock movements, and COS to finance and business stakeholders.
• Analyse sales performance, gross margins, inventory turnover, and profitability trends, highlighting key variances and business risks.
• Support stock count exercises and strengthen inventory controls across the Group.

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Maintain the full set of accounts for assigned entities within the Group.
• Perform month-end and year-end closing activities, including reconciliations and management reporting.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, audits, and statutory reporting requirements.

Business Partnering

• Partner with operations, procurement, commercial, and management teams to provide financial insights and support decision-making.
• Identify inventory risks, slow-moving stock, margin improvement opportunities, and working capital optimisation initiatives.
• Act as the key finance contact for retail finance matters across the Group.
• Support stakeholders with financial analysis, business cases, and ad hoc reporting requirements.
• Process Improvement & Compliance
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, internal controls, and Group policies.
• Support process improvement, system enhancements, and finance transformation initiatives.
• Assist with tax and regulatory reporting requirements where required.

Requirements

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant accounting experience.
• Strong experience maintaining a full set of accounts.
• Hands-on experience in retail finance, including sales reporting, inventory accounting, inventory reconciliations, and Cost of Sales reporting.
• Experience in retail, trading, distribution, consumer products, or other inventory-intensive businesses preferred.
• Experience in a multi-entity or group finance environment is an advantage.
• Familiarity with overseas tax requirements and cross-border transactions is beneficial but not essential.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.