Management Accountant

N Brown – who we are and why work for us?
At N Brown, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by `championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.
We’re a forward-thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We’re customer-obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We’re experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We’re inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we’re sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible.

We’re looking for an Management Accountant to join our Central Functions Finance team
As management accountant you will perform analysis to forecast, budget, and measure performance and plans, then partner your business area to provide insight into their operational performance.
Reporting to the Senior Management Accountant the role is fundamental to delivering the financial objectives of the group to achieve our growth ambitions.

Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Lead on the preparation, governance, and maintenance of the accounts for the business area, ensuring accurate recording of all costs in a timely manner.
• Review detailed managements accounts; provide in-depth analytical review, specifically comparing performance versus prior period & budget, with narrative and explanations of trends.
• Provide hands on support for the balance sheet control process, including regular detailed review of balance sheets with significant focus on material balances to identify balance sheet risks.
• Preparation of reporting for inclusion within the board pack and other ceremonies relating to their divisions.
• Develop and evolve month end reporting and analysis to better communicate financial performance to key stakeholders.
• Support and guide their peers and stakeholders through the budgeting and forecast process, liaising closely with the wider Finance teams.
• Develop stakeholder relationships across their division and wider enterprise.
• Identify drivers of overspend, prepare ad hoc analysis, and develop recommendations to reduce financial risk.
• Significant involvement in the year-end process, preparation of deliverables for the audit and ky contact for the auditors for their division during the audit process.
• Support the development of a robust control environment by continuously identifying opportunities to improve financial systems and processes and by implementing these changes.
• Manage workloads, identify future requirements, and support the Senior Management Accountant with continuous improvement.
• Complete reconciliations of stock data held on the group’s financial ledgers and the stock management systems used by the distribution centres and work with corresponding teams to facilitate variance resolution.

What skills and experience will you have?

• The successful candidate will be CIMA, ACA or ACCA qualified (minimum 3 years PQE) and ideally will have Retail/FMCG experience (but not essential). The candidate will demonstrate the following:
• To look to challenge current ways of working and promote best practices within the Finance team
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate and partner internally with other teams, and support key members of the finance leadership team.
• Strong commercial acumen and attention to detail
• Excellent excel skills.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion products preferable but not essential.
• Retail and / or commercial experience preferable, but not essential.
• Qualified accountant ideally with experience working in the retail sector, experienced in multiple areas of financial management.

Ways of Working
We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in. For this role, the expectation would be 2 -3 days per week. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we’re perfectly located, plus we’re surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!
Our working hours are 36.17 per week and our core working hours are between 10am – 4pm. Given we don’t have strict working hours you can find the working pattern that’s right for you.

Our promise to you:
We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?
As soon as we receive your application, we’ll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!