Stock Accounting Controls Manager

Stock Accounting Controls Manager

Because we strive to put people first.  
Culture, our way. 

Finance at Primark

What’s a career at Primark all about? The positive impact you’re making, the experiences you’re having and the people you’re with. You’re our inspiration. Embrace what sets you apart, own your career and develop in ways you never expected. Leave your mark. And do it your way.  

What You’ll Get 

People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best.

Let’s talk lifestyle: Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria.  

The Stock Accounting & Controls Manager is responsible for providing financial oversight, governance and control of Primark's inventory accounting processes, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of stock balances reported in the Balance Sheet and supporting the accurate recognition of stock related impacts within the Profit & Loss account.  Working closely with the outsourced service provider, the Sales & Margin Manager, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, Technology and Internal Controls teams, the role will act as the primary inventory accounting subject matter expert within Primark.

The position will oversee the end-to-end stock accounting and reconciliation processes, challenge and support service provider outputs, drive continuous improvement, strengthen financial controls, and ensure risks are identified and resolved in a timely manner.  The role will play a key part in period end reporting, inventory governance, audit support, control compliance and the delivery of strategic inventory related projects and business change initiatives.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Financial Control & Governance

• Own the governance framework surrounding inventory accounting and stock related balance sheet accounts.
• Provide oversight of stock accounting activities performed by the outsourced service provider, ensuring compliance with accounting policies, documented procedures and control requirements.
• Review and challenge stock reconciliations, ageing items, variances, provisions and write off recommendations.
• Ensure the timely identification, escalation and resolution of inventory accounting issues and control weaknesses.
• Maintain strong financial controls over stock accounting processes and support the ongoing enhancement of the inventory control environment.
• Act as the inventory accounting lead for Internal Audit, External Audit and other internal control reviews.

Balance Sheet Ownership & Period End Reporting

• Ensure the completeness and accuracy of inventory and related balance sheet accounts at period end.
• Review reconciliation outputs prepared by the outsourced service provider and approve material balances, adjustments and write offs.
• Assess and challenge unusual movements, aged reconciling items and stock variances, ensuring appropriate action plans are in place.
• Review and approve stock related journals and accounting adjustments where required.
• Provide inventory related commentary, analysis and insight to support period end and year end financial reporting.

Profit & Loss Support & Business Partnering

• Work closely with the Sales & Margin Manager to understand and explain the impact of stock movements, inventory adjustments, provisions and write offs on trading margin and profitability.
• Support business stakeholders in the interpretation of stock losses, inventory trends and stock performance metrics.
• Provide financial insight and challenge on stock related risks and opportunities.

Outsourced Service Provider Oversight

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex inventory accounting queries and exceptions.
• Monitor service delivery performance, quality and adherence to agreed service levels.
• Provide guidance, coaching and technical support to the outsourced service provider on stock accounting matters.
• Review and approve proposed accounting treatments for complex or unusual inventory transactions.
• Drive continual improvement, standardisation and automation opportunities across inventory accounting processes.

Controls, Risk & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain ownership of inventory accounting process documentation, procedures and control requirements.
• Lead implementation of new inventory controls and ensure they are embedded into operational processes.
• Support root cause analysis and remediation of control failures, reconciliation issues and system related stock discrepancies.
• Oversee controls relating to stock losses, returns to vendors, stock recalls, freight and duty accounting, stock write offs, depot transfers, franchise inventory and other inventory related processes.

Projects & Change Management

• Represent Finance on inventory related projects, system changes and business transformation initiatives.
• Provide inventory accounting expertise and financial control input into new business processes, supply chain initiatives and technology solutions.
• Assess accounting and control implications of new operating models, inventory flows and business change programmes.
• Ensure appropriate governance and financial controls are embedded into all inventory related process changes.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with 5+ years of experience in a high volume or retail environment.
• Strong understanding of financial control, balance sheet governance and period end reporting.
• Significant experience in inventory accounting, stock control, financial reporting or financial control environments.
• Experience managing or overseeing outsourced/shared service operations
• Experience supporting internal and external audits and operating within a robust control framework.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain and Technology teams.
• Experience leading process improvement, controls enhancement and change initiatives.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem solving capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under tight reporting deadlines.
• Strong Excel and financial systems knowledge; experience with ERP (preferably Oracle).

Does this sound like you? Great, because we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring. You’ll be supported within a team of equally capable people, celebrating who you are and aiding you reach your potential. At Primark, we’re excited about our future - and we’re excited to develop yours.  

About Primark 

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business and over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we're Caring and always strive to put people first. We're also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.  

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist. 

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference education and for some roles criminal, and financial checks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our talent acquisition team to discuss. 

Req ID: JR-14117

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