Accountant, Inventory in Watford

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview

The successful candidate is joining the inventory accounting team – responsible for all the accounting aspects of Sales, Cost of Sales and Inventory for EMEA. Further to this, the team is responsible for forecasting inventory valuation adjustments in the Balance Sheet and P/L and oversees the standard cost setting process. The candidate's primary responsibilities will be to perform accounting functions and analyses for certain areas/divisions of the Company's Inventory Accounting. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for providing accounting assistance in support of all facets of the closing, forecasting and reporting process, as well as providing support and all required documentation for internal and external audits with respect to Inventory Accounting to ensure compliance with SOX and statutory reporting requirements. The candidate will contribute to the development of continuous process improvement initiatives and best practices through leverage of technology and effective collaboration & communication.

Day-to-day Responsibilities

• Analyze and prepare journal entries and accruals related to Inventory Accounting Monthly Close
• Prepare monthly detailed reconciliations and account analysis
• Analyze sales reconciliation and investigate discrepancies
• Review sales and margin and analyze manual postings
• Understand trend of actuals and use for monthly forecasting
• Implement control checkpoints prior to the Close to proactively flag major system-driven discrepancies and ensure correction is carried out within the period
• Maintain and review documented procedures and ensure compliance with SOX requirements
• Support of internal and external audits
• Identify process improvement and efficiency enhancement opportunities and support these
• Assist with ad‑hoc assignments and special projects as and when required by management

Other Responsibilities

• Identify and drive process improvement and efficiency enhancement opportunities
• Perform ad‑hoc analysis in support of new businesses/initiatives (new store opening, eCom country opening, sourcing initiatives, inventory liquidation, etc.)
• Assist with ad‑hoc assignments and special projects as and when required by management
• Maintain and review documented procedures and ensure compliance with SOX requirements

Qualifications

• Results orientated, flexible, resourceful, and self‑motivated with the ability to manage multiple deliverables
• Advanced analytical skills / "out of the box" thinking to logically question and proactively flag potential issues
• Can‑do and problem‑solving attitude
• Strong time‑management skills, and ability to adhere to tight deadlines
• Strong customer service to the business and senior management
• Excellent communication and organizational skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work independently, to deliver under pressure in a complex/matrix‑type environment
• High system proficiency (multiple systems handling)
• Excel and SAP proficiency
• Experience in audit, finance and/or accounting
• University degree in accounting, finance, business or economics or work equivalent
• Experience within the retail or multi‑unit industries a plus

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.