Lead Accountant – Inventory | BBS Leeds
At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today.
We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values-driven brand, we are committed to be a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities.
Purpose:
The Lead Accountant is responsible for the delivery of Record to Report Inventory accounting processes within the Inventory Centre of Excellence (CoE), ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strong internal controls. This role plays a pivotal part in managing inventory accounting for global operations, including forecasting, partnering with Group Finance, Commercial Finance, and other stakeholders to provide insight and ensure operational excellence across Burberry.
The successful candidate will lead a team of accountants, ensuring effective delivery of agreed services, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and supporting the growth and transformation of the team.
Key Responsibilities:
* Manage and develop a team delivering shared service requirements.
* Oversee and execute end-to-end inventory accounting processes, including preparation and completion of bi-annual stocktakes.
* Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and inventory transactions.
* Ensure timely month-end, half-year, and year-end close processes.
* Deliver high-quality management and statutory reports to Group Finance.
* Partner with FP&A and Commercial Finance on forecasting and accounting judgments.
* Support audits and act as escalation point for service issues.
* Lead inventory-related projects and process improvement initiatives.
* Collaborate across teams to enhance systems and resolve root causes.
Leadership & Continuous Improvement:
* Champion change and foster a culture of improvement.
* Align team goals with business strategies and performance objectives.
* Identify process gaps and implement sustainable solutions.
* Leverage feedback and cross-functional collaboration to improve service delivery.
Qualifications & Skills:
* ACA, CA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified.
* Proven leadership and team management experience.
* Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
* SAP experience is a plus not a requirement. Perhaps replace it with this: Good understanding of IT systems; SAP experience a plus.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive efficiencies through technology.
Burberry is an Equal Opportunities Employer and as such, treats all applications equally and recruits purely on the basis of skills and experience.