Internal Controls & Reporting Business Partner in Richmond

A little bit about Lindt. We are a premium chocolate manufacturer established in 1845 operating in over 86 countries around the World. Guided by our Global purpose to Enchant the World with Chocolate and UK vision of Creating Moments to Make Everyone Feel Special, we have around 400 team members in the UK across our Head Office, Retail, and Field Sales divisions. We are a Top 20 Great Place to Work and are proud of our incredible people, our unique values-led culture and our iconic market leading brands such as LINDOR & GOLD BUNNY. We’re also proud of being one of the few bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the world, where we control every step of our chocolate production.

How you could help us to Enchant the World with Chocolate. The Controls & Compliance Analyst is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and compliant internal and external reporting across financial and sustainability domains. The role ensures robust internal controls, supports statutory and regulatory submissions, and acts as a key liaison between internal teams and external consultants/auditors. This position is specifically designed for a fully qualified accountant with a strong audit background from practice, bringing technical expertise and assurance best practice to the team.

Where you’ll be based. This role is based in Richmond Upon Thames, London (Hybrid Working: in the office 60% and WFH 40%).

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operation and continuous improvement of Lindt’s internal control environment (LICS), including sample testing, remediation, and evidence quality, drawing on audit and assurance experience.
• Apply group-defined standard controls locally, maintaining and enforcing approval matrices, and participating in controls and compliance forums.
• Stay abreast of developments in financial regulations and local legislation, proactively assessing and communicating their impact on reporting and compliance.
• Take ownership of statutory and regulatory reporting, including technical accounting areas: IFRS 16 lease accounting, and revenue recognition, ensuring full compliance and audit readiness.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external auditors, coordinating deliverables, supporting year-end audits, and following up on audit recommendations.
• Drive process improvement and controls enhancement, leveraging best practice from audit and assurance.
• Safeguard data integrity and submission deadlines for all reporting processes.
• Support and coordinate sustainability reporting processes at subsidiary level, including data collection and verification for SECR, ESOS, EPR, and Plastic Tax submissions.
• Own the end‑to‑end retail control framework, ensuring all store cash, inventory and compliance controls are clearly defined, documented and aligned with Group requirements and local retail operations.
• Ensure strong compliance with retail control and operating procedures, regularly perform spot‑checks and thematic reviews to identify gaps.
• Monitor and analyse control performance across the store estate, using exception reporting, audit findings and operational KPIs to highlight emerging risks and drive continuous improvement.
• Work cross-functionally with Accounting, FP&A, Commercial Finance, Budget Holders, CFO, Sustainability Controller, Head Office, and local data owners.
• Maintain relationships with external auditors and consultants, to maintain compliance and audit readiness.
• Provide technical mentorship, coaching and guidance to finance colleagues, Retail colleagues, process owners, and local data owners, reinforcing a strong control culture, ensuring policy awareness, and embedding consistent execution standards.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Preferred

• Fully qualified ACA with training gained in a top tier accounting firm.
• Strong technical knowledge of IFRS, UK GAAP, statutory reporting, and internal controls.
• Proven experience in statutory audit, technical accounting, and controls testing, in large matrix organisations.
• Passion for sustainability and compliance, with a desire to keep up with the latest developments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working with diverse stakeholders.
• High attention to detail, analytical capabilities, and strong organisational skills to deliver to tight deadlines.

How you will be rewarded financially

For the position of Internal Controls & Reporting Business Partner, the salary range is £55,000 - £60,000. You will receive a benefits package including; bonus, pension, life cover, chocolate allowance; chocolate give-aways, chocolate discount, birthday day off and so much more!

Being yourself every day

We want everyone at Lindt to feel safe to be themselves, ensuring they are empowered, represented, celebrated and included in our workplace.

Living our values every day

At Lindt UK, our values guide us in everything we do. Being Passionately Lindt, Always Evolving, Building Real Relationships, Acting Responsibly and Making An Impact are an integral part of life here at Lindt.

What you can expect from us

In return for everything that you’ll bring, we can offer you an exciting role in a fast-growing organisation, where we’ll provide an environment where you will thrive, feel supported and fulfil your career aspirations, all while supporting your physical and mental wellbeing.