Description
Join Estée Lauder Companies at Whitman Laboratories, where a fifth of the company’s global sales output is manufactured. As a global leader in prestige beauty, we serve over half a billion consumers annually through renowned brands such as Estée Lauder, MAC, Jo Malone London, and Clinique, across more than 150 countries.
We are looking for a Financial Accountant (FTC) to join our Finance team. In this role, you will play a key part in delivering accurate, timely financial accounting and reporting, maintaining a strong control environment, and driving continuous improvement across our accounting processes.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Support and deliver month-end close activities, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and adherence to timelines.
2. Prepare and review journals, accruals, and prepayments, coordinating inputs with outsourced finance partners where required.
3. Complete balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and clearing outstanding items.
4. Produce monthly reporting outputs, including P&L and balance sheet analysis with clear variance commentary.
5. Support budget and forecast processes with analysis and insight.
6. Take ownership of defined accounting areas (e.g., intercompany, leases, fixed assets/capital expenditure, departmental expenses).
7. Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and internal controls; support execution of SOX controls (documentation, testing, and audit support).
8. Support statutory and regulatory reporting requirements, including year-end processes and external submissions.
9. Lead R&D Tax and Capital Allowances claims, coordinating data preparation with internal stakeholders and external auditors.
10. Partner with cross-functional teams (e.g., Operations, Engineering, Facilities/IFM) to support financial understanding, cost management, and expense tracking.
11. Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, controls, and reporting efficiency; support system and process enhancements.
Qualifications
12. Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
13. Part-qualified (ACCA/CIMA) or actively studying (or equivalent experience).
14. 2–4 years’ relevant financial accounting experience, including month-end close, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
15. Strong Excel skills and confidence working with financial systems.
16. High attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and the ability to meet deadlines.
17. Analytical, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of assigned areas.
18. Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with a collaborative approach.
19. Exposure to a controls environment (e.g., SOX) is beneficial.