Assistant Corporate Accountant in City of Westminster

This position sits within the Financial Reporting team and plays a central part in delivering accurate accounting, compliance, and reporting for the UK market. The team manages all month‑end close activities, internal and external reporting and statutory compliance, alongside group reporting submissions to France and Japan HQ. Reporting to the Financial Reporting Manager, the position offers strong career development opportunities within a fast‑paced retail FMCG environment. It is well suited to candidates with early experience in financial reporting and management accounting, who want to build strong technical foundations and progress with their professional qualifications. The role focuses on leading core month‑end processes and supporting internal / external reporting, with opportunities to drive process standardisation and enhance reporting across the wider finance group.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the month‑end close process across all Shiseido Group brands in UK & Ireland markets.
• Prepare journal entries and supporting balance sheet reconciliations across key retail business areas.
• Produce monthly business analysis on management account movements and support preparation of the group quarterly reporting pack.
• Support business advisory activities and ad‑hoc analysis for the Financial Reporting and Commercial Finance teams.

Business Partnering & Internal Support

• Support in the preparation and presentation of monthly results for corporate departments, ensuring costs are accurately reported and clearly communicated to the relevant budget owners.
• Act as a key point of contact for corporate budget holders, supporting financial queries relating to budgets, project costs and expenditure.
• Support in the preparation of annual budgets and regular forecasting reviews, including insightful variance commentary against budget and prior year performance.

Audit and External Reporting

• Support with the year‑end and quarterly close activities and coordination of the audit process with external advisors.
• Support internal audit processes and maintain J‑SOX reporting requirements.
• Assist with corporation tax compliance in partnership with external advisors, including transfer pricing and capital allowances.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns and manage other local compliance requirements, including employment taxes, environmental reporting, plastic packaging tax, and statistical filings.

Strengthen the Control Environment

• Drive a robust governance and control environment through the definition of accounting policies, risk controls, and compliance processes.
• Monitor the effectiveness of internal controls and system workflows across end‑to‑end finance processes to support retail business functions.
• Safeguard data integrity by ensuring adherence to group accounting policies and J‑SOX control and reporting requirements.

Team Engagement & Improvement

• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, with a focus on streamlining month‑end close activities and implementing more effective, systemised controls.
• Contribute to ad‑hoc analysis and project work for the Financial Reporting and Commercial Finance teams.
• Assist senior team members in maintaining a culture of curiosity and continuous improvement.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performing team through proactive communication, knowledge sharing, and positive team engagement.

Qualifications

• Part‑qualified accountant status (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Background in management accounting with exposure to month‑end reporting including journals, reconciliations and P&L reviews.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with SAP S/4 and Power BI.
• Understanding of financial control environments and how they can be improved.
• Technical Excellence in Finance & Reporting – strong command of accounting standards, month‑end processes, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Analytical & Problem‑Solving Skills – ability to interpret complex financial data, identify issues quickly, and develop practical solutions.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement – works effectively with cross‑functional teams, external advisors, and auditors to drive alignment and shared outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement Orientation – proactively seeks opportunities to streamline processes, enhance systems, and improve the efficiency of the finance function.
• Systems & Digital Capability – leverages digital tools to improve reporting accuracy, generate insights, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Team Development & Engagement – e.g., wants to grow within the team, embracing development opportunities while actively contributing to a supporting and high‑performing team culture.

Benefits

• Day off when you get married or move house.
• Generous contributory pension scheme – match up to 8%.
• Private medical insurance with Vitality.
• Enhanced parental allowance.
• Generous product allocation & discount.
• Life Assurance up to 4× your salary.
• Flexible Friday finish.
• Flexible & hybrid working.
• Wellbeing programmes.
• Annual performance and development reviews so you know your career is going in the right direction.

At Shiseido, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that a diverse workforce enhances our creativity, innovation, and overall success. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and ensuring that our hiring practices reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Together, we can build a vibrant and dynamic team that reflects the diverse world we serve.