Financial Accountant; Technical) Finance Warwickshire

Hybrid working with 1-2 days spent in our Support Centre and 3-4 days spent working from home per week.

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This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion,
it all starts with you.

The Financial Accountant is a key member of the Financial Reporting team and acts as the deputy to the Senior Financial Reporting Manager. The role is responsible for delivering high-quality financial reporting, leading the Group's more complex accounting areas and helping to maintain a robust financial control environment across the business.

The role will take ownership of key technical accounting areas including IFRS 16, IFRS 9 and IAS 36, supporting the assessment of accounting judgements and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards. It will play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of interim and annual reporting, acting as a key contact for external auditors and supporting the preparation of statutory accounts and technical accounting papers.

Alongside these responsibilities, the role will oversee some of the Group's most complex month-end activities, including inventory, providing review, challenge and assurance over financial information prepared by other members of the team. The role will also support and develop other members of the team, helping to ensure the quality, accuracy and timeliness of reporting outputs.

You will be highly motivated, self-driven and able to work independently, consistently delivering against deadlines with minimal supervision while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.

• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of financial reporting and month-end activities.

• Take ownership of the Group's complex technical accounting areas including IFRS 16, IFRS 9 and IAS 36, including preparation of supporting calculations, papers and disclosures.

• Support the assessment and documentation of significant accounting judgements and estimates.

• Act as a key contact for external auditors, coordinating requests and supporting the successful completion of interim reviews and year-end audits.

• Play a leading role in the preparation of interim and annual financial statements, supporting the production of the Annual Report and subsidiary accounts.

• Lead the review of complex month-end journals, reconciliations and balance sheet positions.

• Take ownership of the stock, property and capex balance sheet and related P&L lines, as required, ensuring accurate accounting and reporting.

• Review work completed by part-qualified members of the team, providing support, coaching and quality assurance.

• Work with the Financial Processing team to improve understanding of costs, identify efficiencies and strengthen financial controls.

• Analyse monthly results, investigate variances and build strong working relationships with Commercial Finance and operational stakeholders.

• Support the preparation of budgets, forecasts and ad hoc financial analysis for management.

• Identify opportunities to improve reporting processes, controls and efficiencies.

• Provide support to the wider Financial Reporting team and deputise for the Senior Financial Reporting Manager where required.

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent).

• At least 3 years post-qualified experience within a financial reporting environment in industry, preferably retail.

• Experience supporting statutory audits and preparing annual report and accounts disclosures, preferably for a listed company.

• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including practical experience of IFRS 16, IFRS 9 and IAS 36.

• Experience preparing technical accounting papers and supporting external audit reviews.

• Experience reviewing balance sheet reconciliations and complex month-end accounting activities.

• Strong understanding of financial controls and governance.

• Ability to review and challenge the work of others whilst supporting their development.

• Self-Starter: Able to take ownership of complex tasks, work independently and consistently deliver…