Creating original and innovative luxury soft toys, Jellycat combines luxurious fabrics with quirky and cute designs and sells its products online and via stockists throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

The Financial Accountant will report directly to the Financial Accounting Manager and play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting related to cost of goods sold (COGS), inventory, and distribution operations. This role will oversee processes across both wholesale and e-commerce business models and will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to support the company’s financial objectives. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with IFRS standards, drive improvements in accounting practices and identify opportunities for cost savings and process automation.

You'll be:

Financial Reporting and Audit Support
• Assisting in the preparation of monthly and year-end financial reporting requirements.
• Working closely with the FA Manager and team to manage the external audit, ensuring audit readiness annually. 
• Overseeing timely communication throughout the audit process and preparing necessary evidence and documentation.
• Supporting the financial close process, collaborating closely with the Management Accounting team.
• Assisting in the preparation and review of balance sheet reconciliations.

Inventory and COGS Management
• Evaluating and analysing the cost of goods sold (COGS), inventory movements and inventory valuation processes, ensuring compliance with IFRS.
• Providing financial analysis to reconcile system inventory records with accounting ledgers and enhancing data integrity.
• Collaborating with third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and internal warehouses to manage stock counts and ensure inventory accuracy, establishing robust stocktake procedures.
• Developing and implementing methodologies for inventory provision policies, including handling aged, obsolete, or faulty inventory.
• Overseeing landed cost accounting, ensuring all import duties, freight, and associated costs are accurately allocated.

Process Improvement and Internal Controls
• Designing and implementing robust internal controls and procedures for financial processes, particularly regarding inventory accounting.
• Driving process improvements by streamlining and automating workflows to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Tax Compliance
• Supporting the preparation and review of various VAT returns, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Monitoring tax compliance across the finance team, identifying, escalating, and addressing any risks or gaps.
• Providing ad hoc analysis and support to the Financial Accounting Manager and Global Tax team on indirect and direct tax matters.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Building relationships with production, operations, logistics, and merchandising teams to ensure the timely and reliable reporting of inventory and COGS.
• Providing ad hoc analysis and support to the Financial Accounting Manager and Financial Controller.

You'll have:

• A professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, or CIMA), which is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in inventory accounting and processes, preferably within a wholesale, e-commerce, or related industry.
• A strong understanding of inventory accounting principles, including valuation, transfers, landed costs, and stock reconciliations.
• A proven ability to critically assess existing processes, recommend improvements, and implement changes effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build effective relationships across teams and support operational needs.
• Proficiency in managing and analysing large datasets, with advanced Excel skills.
• The ability to operate independently as a self-starter, with a proactive and solution-oriented approach.
• Prior experience with indirect tax compliance and related processes as a bonus.