Finance Manager, Central and Southern Europe (Mat Cover) London, England
Job description
For over 35 years, Aesop has carefully cultivated an inspiring and inclusive environment in which our employees are supported and encouraged to thrive. As a global retail organisation, we offer professional development and advancement opportunities to complement career goals and aspirations.
Our approach to skin care involves meticulous attention to detail, using only the most efficacious ingredients to create formulations which stir the self and senses. The same meticulous approach is taken during our recruitment process, seeking out considered and inspired individuals with a wealth of perspectives who bring out the best in themselves and others.
We aim to strike the right balance between people, planet and profit, actively reducing our footprint on the planet that generously sustains us. So far, this journey has led us to become a certified B Corp.
Role purpose-
Based in Aesop’s London office, The Fi nance Manager – Central & Southern Europe ( “ Finan ce Manager ”) will be responsible for coordinating and managing the completion and review of monthly internal reporting, controlling the appropriateness and accuracy of balance sheet s , monitor ing and managing cash flows, ensuring statutory obligations are adhered to (tax, audit, c orporate secretarial) , assisting with budgetary and commercial finance matters and supporting financial processes for certain European markets which includ e the France , Germany , Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Austria and Belgium .
The Finan ce Manager will provide ongoing support to the European finance team and assist with various projects and tasks within Europe . This will include assisting with the launch of new stores and markets and the ongoing monitoring of performance against forecasted performance. The Finance Manager will support the ongoing development of junior staff members and the management of their daily workflow. This may include active involvement in transactional processes. The Finance Manager will lead and m entor a team of 4 direct reports including: Financial Accountant ( Central Europe ) ; Financial Accountant ( S outhern Europe ) ; Assistant Accountant ( Central Europe ) ; and Accounts Payable Officer (Southern Europe) .
The position will report to the Senior Finance Manager , Europe and will liaise regularly with the European and Global (Melbourne) finance team s . Infrequent travel within Europe may be required .
Please note that this is a 12-month FTC Maternity Cover.
Role responsibilities include, but not limited to –
Monthly Management R eporting
This role will have responsibility for ensuring timely completion of monthly reporting for certain European entities including , but not limited to:
Review monthly Income Statements and Balance Sheets for errors/omissions, ensure compliance with
company policies and procedures and ensure that the basis of preparation of financial information of
subsidiaries is in accordance with GAAP and IFRS (where applicable).
Provide high level commentary and analysis to the Senior Finance manager on ongoing performance and
drivers of variances.
Business Partner c ommercial m anagers and host monthly business performance review for Central & Southern markets.
Review and maintain strong control over the balance sheets and ensure tight reign over provisions and receivables.
Preparation of the detailed monthly balance sheet reconciliation file to safeguard the appropriateness of all GL accounts and provisions.
Coordinate monthly transactional processing for local markets – AP, A R and t reasury.
Update and reconcile intercompany loan accounts for all relevant group entities, ensuring that these accounts are agreed on an ongoing basis and all discrepancies investigated and resolved as necessary.
Management of the fixed asset module.
Review Capex spending against forecast and ensure any variations are approved in accordance with company policy.
Manage month end Transfer Price reconciliations.
Develop a commercial understanding of subsidiary businesses and communicate commercial issues to the Senior Finance Manager as required .
Ensure foreign currency balances are revalued appropriately in the monthly management accounts.
Maintain alignment and consistency with in-house financial processes.
Be the key contact for inhouse transactional teams and commercial manager s .
Compliance and Governance
The Fina nce Manager will support the Senior Finance Manager , in conjunction with local advisors and finance teams , with the following tasks :
Co ordinate the completion of all annual s tatutory audits, as required .
Arrange the completion and lodgement of all tax compliance require ments, including corporate tax , GST/ VAT /Sales tax returns .
Ensure that all required corporate secretarial document s are lodged by their due dates.
Assist with the transition and adherence to new accounting standards.
Responsible for ensuring company policies and procedures are followed, correct segregation of duties and application of appropriate f inancial controls.
Assist the retail operations team with ongoing stocktakes, obtain explanations for all variances, ensure that all stocktake adjustments are recorded in local subsidiary accounts and provide standardise d reporting back to head office.
Preparation of annual budgets
Preparation of the annual budget for Central & Southern markets with support from the Financial Accountants and local country managers.
Prepare an annual detailed P&L budget by subsidiary, by store phased by month.
Prepare an annual Capex budget on a ‘by project’ basis, phased by month.
Provide analysis of the annual budget including commentary on the key underlying assumptions and any significant year on year variances and/or variances to the 5-year strategic plan.
Other Responsibilities & process improvement
Along with monthly management reporting, this role will provide broad financial regional support across many areas, including but not limited to:
Supporting the Senior Finance Manager in the implementation of new projects , systems and initiatives.
Active involvement in the ongoing improvement of finance process es and building an effective control environment within European subsidiaries.
Reduce the time required to close month - end and report results by leveraging internal IT resources and refining any existing manual processes;
Work closely with the Senior Finance Manager to develop and maintain a high performing, harmonious and efficient team.
Set achievable and measurable goals for direct reports and provide regular feedback and support.
Serve as an escalation point for finance related queries in the region.
What we are looking for -
Bachelor’s degree or higher in one or more of the following area s: Business, Accounting , Commerce or
similar.
Professional qualifications: ACCA /CPA /CIMA or other recognised professional qualification.
Several years of experience as an accounting professional , retail sector an advantage .
Pan-European accounting experience an advantage .
A proven proficiency and enthusiasm for managing and developing junior staff.
Experience and understanding of IFRS , other EU local market GAAP knowledge is of benefit .
Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and escalate issues and process improvements.
Hands-on experience with cloud-based ERP systems, with prior exposure to NetSuite a bonus.
Hands-on, practical problem-solving skills and an aptitude to complete tasks within set timeframes .
A keen eye for detail.
A capacity to adapt and change within a fast-growing business.
Strong interpersonal skills and a natural capability to develop and maintain meaningful cross-functional
relationships.
Experience with Adyen, Givex and retail POS systems would be advantageous .
Comfortable within an open-plan and curated working environment, with a requirement to adapt and
embrace the established norms, values and etiquette of the business.
Knowledge or experience of working in a SOX environment would be favourable.
What’s on offer-
We take a holistic approach to employment, promoting professional development, career growth, employee wellbeing initiatives and encouraging deep connections with the local community through the Aesop Foundation, volunteering, and matched giving programs.
Employee benefits include –
Flexible, hybrid working pattern
Generous product discount allowance and bi-annual complimentary product allocation
Paid volunteering allowance for all employees
Bonus opportunity based on personal, and business, performance
Suite of options to aid development, including complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning, in-house Product and Core skills training and study support opportunities
Access to employee assistance programmes, complimentary subscription to Headspace mindfulness app and summer hours options.
Aesop is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining the very best people by offering a creative and inclusive workplace where talent is truly recognised and rewarded. We are committed to promoting inclusion for all with the belief that diversity, inclusion and belonging plays an important role in the success of our organisation. We actively encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of our journey.
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