Job description
JOB TITLE: Financial Accountant

COMPANY: UK HUB and REN Global

DEPARTMENT: Finance

REPORTS TO: Senior Financial Accounting Manager

Company Overview

Unilever has established a new division within its Beauty & Personal Care sector: Unilever Prestige. This division focuses on premium luxury brands in a fast-growing segment. In the UK, we operate the Prestige Hub, which functions as the Group Headquarters for REN Clean Skincare and serves as the UK offices for other Prestige entities based in Southwark, London. These include REN Clean Skincare, Murad Skincare, Living Proof Haircare, TATCHA Skincare, and Kate Somerville Skincare.

Position Overview

The Financial Accountant reporting into the Senior Financial Accounting Manager will play a key role in supporting the financial operations and compliance of our legal entities. This position involves managing financial records, ensuring regulatory compliance, assisting in the preparation of financial reports, and supporting the overall financial health of the entities. The ideal candidate will understand IFRS/GAAP and UK regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Analysis:
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with group reporting policies, IFRS and GAAP standards.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting and maintain the integrity of the general ledger.
• Prepare month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including journal entries, reconciliations, and variance analysis.

Statutory Reporting, Compliance And Controls
• Prepare statutory accounts for all relevant legal entities.
• Prepare all statutory filings including VAT returns.
• Provide supporting records and respond to queries to external auditors to facilitate the annual audit process.
• Assist in the implementation and maintenance of internal controls to safeguard company assets.
• Prepare for and support internal and external audits.
• Address audit findings and implement recommendations.

Budgeting & Forecasting
• Work in conjunction with Commercial Finance to support the annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Analyse budget vs. actual results and provide insights into performance variances.

Stakeholder Engagement
• Liaise with cross-functional teams (e.g., commercial, operations, HR) to gather information, address financial queries, and support business initiatives.

Process Improvement
• Continuously seek to improve financial processes, systems, and tools to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and reporting capabilities.
• Drive automation initiatives within the finance function to reduce manual processes and improve data integrity.

Required Qualifications, Skills & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent accounting qualification.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in financial accounting or a similar role
• Knowledge of IFRS/GAAP and regulatory requirements.
• Strong proficiency in financial accounting software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar ERP systems). NetSuite experience preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive and adaptable, with a continuous improvement mindset.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, Unilever Prestige Hub Brands: REN/Murad/Kate Somerville/Living Proof/Tatcha is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees regardless of age, disability, sex, ****** orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse workforce because, in our view, diversity enables better business outcomes. We also believe that a more inclusive workplace, where people of different backgrounds work together, ensures better outcomes for all staff. From application to interview, we place inclusion at the heart of all we do. In particular, we strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Unilever Prestige Hub Brands/REN/Tatcha/Murad/Kate Somerville/Living Proof.