At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Finance team to deliver accurate financial accounting and reporting.
- Company: Estée Lauder Companies, a global leader in prestige beauty.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a renowned company while enhancing your financial skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Finance or Accounting; part-qualified ACCA/CIMA preferred.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Join Estée Lauder Companies at Whitman Laboratories, where a fifth of the company’s global sales output is manufactured. As a global leader in prestige beauty, we serve over half a billion consumers annually through renowned brands such as Estée Lauder, MAC, Jo Malone London, and Clinique, across more than 150 countries.
We are looking for a Financial Accountant (FTC) to join our Finance team. In this role, you will play a key part in delivering accurate, timely financial accounting and reporting, maintaining a strong control environment, and driving continuous improvement across our accounting processes.
Key Responsibilities:- Support and deliver month-end close activities, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and adherence to timelines.
- Prepare and review journals, accruals, and prepayments, coordinating inputs with outsourced finance partners where required.
- Complete balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and clearing outstanding items.
- Produce monthly reporting outputs, including P&L and balance sheet analysis with clear variance commentary.
- Support budget and forecast processes with analysis and insight.
- Take ownership of defined accounting areas (e.g., intercompany, leases, fixed assets/capital expenditure, departmental expenses).
- Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and internal controls; support execution of SOX controls (documentation, testing, and audit support).
- Support statutory and regulatory reporting requirements, including year-end processes and external submissions.
- Lead R&D Tax and Capital Allowances claims, coordinating data preparation with internal stakeholders and external auditors.
- Partner with cross-functional teams (e.g., Operations, Engineering, Facilities/IFM) to support financial understanding, cost management, and expense tracking.
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, controls, and reporting efficiency; support system and process enhancements.
- Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Part-qualified (ACCA/CIMA) or actively studying (or equivalent experience).
- 2–4 years’ relevant financial accounting experience, including month-end close, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
- Strong Excel skills and confidence working with financial systems.
- High attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and the ability to meet deadlines.
- Analytical, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of assigned areas.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with a collaborative approach.
- Exposure to a controls environment (e.g., SOX) is beneficial.
Financial Accountant employer: The Estee Lauder Companies
At Estée Lauder Companies, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation at our Whitman Laboratories location. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and the chance to contribute to a global leader in prestige beauty, all while working in an environment that values diversity and continuous improvement.
Contact Details:
The Estee Lauder Companies Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might have insights into Estée Lauder or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial accounting knowledge and understanding the specific challenges faced by the beauty industry. We want you to show off your skills and how they can benefit the team at Whitman Laboratories!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've improved processes or solved problems in previous roles. This will help us see how you can drive continuous improvement in our accounting processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Estée Lauder.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Accountant role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in month-end close and reconciliations, and don’t forget to showcase your strong Excel skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about finance and how your background aligns with our needs at Estée Lauder Companies. Keep it concise but impactful.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail:In finance, attention to detail is key. Make sure your application is free from typos and errors. This reflects your commitment to accuracy, which is crucial for the role!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us, making it easier for us to review your credentials.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Estee Lauder Companies
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial concepts. Brush up on key accounting principles and be ready to discuss your experience with month-end close activities, reconciliations, and financial reporting. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the numbers but can also handle them confidently.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to share examples of how you've used your analytical skills in previous roles. Think about times when you identified discrepancies or improved processes. Being able to articulate these experiences will highlight your proactive approach and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for this role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with SOX Controls
Since compliance is key in this position, make sure you understand the basics of SOX controls. Be ready to discuss any relevant experience you have with documentation, testing, or audit support. This knowledge will demonstrate your readiness to maintain a strong control environment.
✨Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is vital, especially when partnering with cross-functional teams. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. This will not only help you during the interview but also show that you can collaborate well with others, which is essential for success in this role.
