Senior Financial Accountant

Primary Purpose of Role

The Senior Financial Accountant is responsible for:

• Ensure an accurate and timely month end close, through processing of month-end entries in the General Ledger.
• Monthly reconciliation of Balance Sheet accounts and ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Monitoring inventory discrepancies processed at store and warehouse level, and providing commentary around the monthly balance movement.
• Business partnering with Merchandise, Procurement and Supply Chain departments to ensure accurate inventory data and provide commentary on inventory movements.
• Monthly reconciliation of the merchant clearing facility reconciliation process across multi-channel business environment
• Involvement and support with business transformation projects as Finance Representative, to provide input on financial impact of new business processes implemented

Key Skills Qualifications & Experience

Prerequisite Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Solutions-focused and continuous improvement mindset
• Highly motivated, well organised and a proactive approach

Education/Qualifications/Memberships:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Qualified Accountants or in the progress of obtaining (e.g. CA, CPA, or equivalent)

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum 3 years' experience within the financial reporting, management accounting or auditing space
• Experience in a retail (or multi-site) or FMCG environment would be beneficial
• Strong demonstration of collaboration
• Infor/M3 experience is an advantage

Key Result Areas and Responsibilities

A. Financial Accounting

• Summarising and reporting on monthly/annual financial position to internal stakeholders, regulators and tax collection entities.
  
• Analysing variances and providing commentary on significant $ swings in the financial statements.
• Ensure selected balance sheet reconciliations are performed in a timely manner and that all reconciling items are addressed within 1 month end cycle.
• Liaising with Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable team to understand movement in Creditor and Debtor accounts.
• Liaising with Procurement, Logistics and Inventory team to understand movement in Inventory and associated on-cost accounts.
• Preparation of year-end calculations as part of statutory requirements, including liaising with external auditors and attending to relevant audit requests.
• Collaborate with the Commercial team to monitor budgets and forecasts for business cost centres.
• Establish and maintain effective internal controls within the financial accounting function. Identify and mitigate financial risks, implement best practices, and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Other ad hoc duties as required.

B. Team Management

• Oversee the management, supervision and direction of your direct reports.
• Foster an environment of teamwork through facilitation of regular Team Meetings, 1:1s with direct reports, celebrating Team and individual wins and promoting other opportunities for collaboration
• Provide ongoing professional development of Team Members including coaching, training and mentoring to ensure the Accounting Team have up to date knowledge and skills to achieve financial objectives
• Ensure team is supported to meet strategic objectives within functional areas, including provision of feedback, budget and resources
• Evaluate and coach team to ensure capability needs are met including retention and development of high performers
• Conflict management/resolution and performance management as required

C. Auditing

• Ensuring financial records are a fair and accurate representation of the transactions they claim to represent.
• Identifying process improvements and implementing changes to increase efficiency.

D. Business analysis 

• Identifying and articulating the need for change and facilitating those changes which will be most beneficial to the Company's stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse financial data and provide valuable insights to support decision-making.
• Continuously monitor and consider internal controls and seek out ways to improve processes.
• Work with others in the Finance team and selected cost centre owners/Department Heads on financials – monthly review of results, opportunities for improvements (e.g. cost reductions).