Shiseido Assistant Corporate Accountant

Role & Responsibilities

• Assist with month-end close processes across Shiseido Group brands in the UK and Ireland.
• Prepare journal entries and supporting balance sheet reconciliations for allocated business areas.
• Support monthly analysis of management account movements and help prepare the group quarterly reporting pack.
• Provide ad hoc analysis support to the Financial Reporting and Commercial Finance teams.
• Support the Finance Manager in preparing monthly results for corporate departments, ensuring costs are accurately recorded and clearly communicated to budget owners.
• Respond to routine financial queries from corporate budget holders about forecasts, project costs and expenditure.
• Assist with annual budget preparation and regular forecasting reviews.
• Support year-end and quarterly close activities, including coordinating information for external audits.
• Assist with external and internal audits and maintain J-SOX reporting requirements.
• Support preparation of VAT returns and other local compliance requirements under guidance, including employment taxes, environmental reporting and statistical filings.
• Prepare accruals and other journal entries based on outcomes from monthly stakeholder meetings.
• Identify and suggest opportunities to improve month-end close activities.
• Contribute to ad hoc analysis and project work for the Financial Reporting and Commercial Finance teams.
• Develop knowledge and capability by learning from senior team members and engaging proactively in development opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative team environment through proactive communication and positive engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in management accounting, including preparing journal entries and involvement in the month-end close cycle.
• Exposure to preparing or supporting balance sheet reconciliations, including investigating and resolving reconciling items.
• Good understanding of basic accounting principles and double-entry bookkeeping.
• Experience supporting external or internal audit processes is beneficial but not essential.
• Strong Excel skills; exposure to SAP or similar ERP systems and Power BI is beneficial but not essential.
• Confident communication skills and the ability to liaise effectively with budget holders and stakeholders across the business.
• A proactive, curious mindset, with a genuine interest in developing technical accounting skills and progressing towards a professional qualification.
• Currently studying towards ACA, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent qualification is an advantage.

Skills

Benefits

Generous product allocation and product discount; 26 days of holiday plus bank holidays, a birthday day off and time off for marriage or moving house; enhanced parental allowance; holiday-buy scheme; enhanced pension; annual bonus scheme based on personal development plans and business performance; flexible Fridays; flexible and hybrid working, with 60% of time in the office; wellbeing programmes, including mental health first aiders, free counselling and access to digital GPs; financial support through exclusive retail discounts; Employee Assistance Programme via Wisdom; monthly access to learning and development opportunities.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.