Senior Financial Accountant - London

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Financial Accountant to join the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer!

Who are we?

Majestic is the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, operating a network of over 200 stores nationwide. Founded in 1980, the company recently passed back into private ownership following the acquisition of Fortress Investment Group and has undergone an ambitious transformation and turnaround programme. The results of which are now being seen, with record market share growth, a new and improved product range, a new website and six new stores – with a pipeline for future expansion over the next five years. With no minimum purchase, the Majestic range includes over 1,100 different wines, spirits and beers both online and in-store. Majestic’s key strength is over 1,000 WSET-trained colleagues offering knowledgeable, friendly service across all channels.

The Role:

As Senior Financial Accountant in supporting the senior management team in fulfilling the Statutory reporting requirements of the business and various aspects of the businesses compliance requirements. This role is a maternity cover role expected to last 9 months from Autumn 24 to Summer 25. The Groups year end is end March, with Audit completing end of June and as such the role starts well in advance of reporting season, and is intended to have a decent handover period with the current incumbent.

The Group has six active companies (2 holding companies, one property company and three trading companies). Of those trading companies one is the main trading company of the group and two are relatively minor. The Finance team is made up of just under 30 across all finance functions, all of whom are based in the Groups offices in Watford. We additionally have a charitable foundation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Planning, coordination & oversight of the statutory close including Statutory accounts production (you are the pen holder)
• Consolidation (simple one) of companies results for Group results
• IFRS 16 accounting (treated annually not as art of management accounting processes)
• Planning, coordination of delivery of all elements & management of the Audit to a 3 month completion
• Management accounting for the Holding companies & property company
• Oversight of the management accounting of the smallest trading company & charitable foundation (each undertaken by junior employees as part of their development)
• Quarterly VAT reporting & submissions; Annual PSA analysis & submissions and other compliance requirements (e.g. statistical reports) Coordination with, and support to external Tax consultants, and associated Tax accounting

Knowledge & Skills Required:

• Qualified accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA) with 3 year+ post qualified experience ideally in a similar role
• Experience in Statutory accounts production and audit coordination
• Strong core finance accounting skills particularly in management, Statutory accounts production and disclosures, and consolidations
• Working Tax knowledge & familiarity with data requirements (we work with external consultants for tax calculations & declarations, but this role is the interface with them)
• Strong communication and presentation skills, comfortable representing the company with 3rd parties (auditors, consultants)
• Strong project management abilities, comfortable maintaining the ‘plan; & corralling others to deliver in line with their commitments in that plan
• Ability to “hold the pen” & carefully manage version control with internal & external (auditors) parties
• Able to liaise with and influence colleagues at all levels of the organisation
• Comfortable working under pressure (Audit sign off is 3 months)
• Strong excel & word skills
• Comfortable in handling and summarising large quantities of data
• Positive attitude, enthusiasm, self starter and good team fit
• Knowledge of SAGE advantageous

What’s in it for you:

• A competitive salary & performance related bonus
• Up to 20% Staff Discount
• 33 days holiday, including public and bank holidays and we also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Life Assurance (Worth 3 times your annual salary)
• A contributory Company Pension Plan
• Career development opportunities – we are passionate about nurturing our internal talent, offering career progression supported by our excellent in-house training schemes!
• Fantastic incentives that take you around the world to explore our different vineyards.
• Free parking on site with electric charging points
• Access to Retail Trust which includes: Retail Rewards including Instant savings with discounted e-vouchers, discounted reloadable shopping cards, gift vouchers and gift cards, Discounts of up to 30%, Access to free counselling and support phone line
• Company maternity, paternity and adoption leave after 26 weeks
• Long service rewards.
• Company sick pay scheme

Job Specifics:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (Maternity)
• Location: Watford and Hemel Hempstead. Our Head Office is based in Watford, just 20 minutes from London Euston. From Watford Junction, we are a 15-minute walk to our Head Office.

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We are proud to offer a new Agile Working Policy for Support Centre colleagues; a blend of office and home working which will include a number of days working at the Majestic Office

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We look forward to receiving your application! Together we are Majestic! #TWAM