Position Overview:
We have an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded and proactive Management Accountant to join our Global Finance team on a temporary Maternity Cover basis based at our Head Office in South Shields. Reporting directly to the Group Management Accountant, you will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Finance department and the wider business to provide timely, insightful management information that supports informed strategic decision-making.
In this role, you will act as a trusted Finance Business Partner for designated business channels. You will combine your technical accounting expertise, data proficiency, and commercial acumen to take ownership of financial performance, drive process improvements, and maintain a robust financial control framework.
*The role is based at our Head Office in South Shields and the expectation is 4 days in the office and 1 day of home work*
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Management Accounting & Reporting
-
Prepare and review monthly management accounts to ensure complete accuracy and timely delivery.
-
Deliver insightful variance analysis comparing actual performance against budget, forecast and prior years.
Finance Business Partnering
-
Act as a strong Finance Business Partner and embedded finance expert for your designated business channel and senior operational stakeholders.
-
Provide constructive challenge and commercial insights to support performance improvement and decision-making.
-
Support cost centre owners in identifying cost drivers, variances, and opportunities for financial optimisation.
-
Help channel leaders deeply understand revenue, margin, cost and overall profitability drivers.
-
Build strong, collaborative relationships across the organisation to position the Finance team as a value-adding partner.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Planning
-
Take ownership of the budgeting and forecasting processes for your specific channels.
-
Collaborate closely with Channel Owners to build robust, realistic financial plans and assumptions.
-
Monitor performance closely against targets to identify potential risks and commercial opportunities.
-
Support long-term strategic planning, financial forecasting, and investment appraisal activities.
-
Review orderbooks and prepare flash forecasting to ensure financial plans reflect changing business conditions.
Other Responsibilities:
-
Support the wider Finance team with ad-hoc financial analysis and projects as required.
-
Assist with statutory audits and external financial reporting requirements.
-
Actively drive continuous improvement, simplification, and automation across our internal finance processes.
-
Conduct all activities in line with Barbour Values and Health & Safety guidelines to ensure a safe, collaborative working environment.
Skills and Experience:
Required (Essential)
-
Education & Qualifications: Degree-level education and a professional accounting qualification (CIMA / ACCA / ACA).
-
Experience: Proven experience working within a management accounting environment.
-
Technical Skills: Advanced Excel skills, experience with Power BI, and strong numerical and analytical capabilities.
-
Systems: Experience handling complex systems and manipulating data extracted from multiple sources.
-
Business Acumen: A strong baseline of accounting knowledge combined with a genuine desire to understand operational business processes and the cost drivers behind the numbers.
-
Collaboration & Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally.
-
Personal Attributes: A proactive attitude, a growth mindset, strong operational discipline, absolute integrity and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards.
Preferred (Desirable)
-
Prior experience working within the retail or clothing sector.
-
A broad range of accounting software experience, specifically a working knowledge of Infor ERP systems and reporting.
-
A strong mindset for process improvement, simplification, and working with a high degree of autonomy.
Benefits:
- Discretionary Company bonus scheme
-
Staff discount
-
Staff shop
-
Healthcare cash plan
-
25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata'd to contract length)
-
Access to training and development activities to support your career development
-
Free onsite parking
-
Subsidised canteen
-
Operate hybrid & flexible working
-
4pm finish on a Friday
-
Wellbeing support
-
Refer a friend bonus scheme
-
Reward & Recognition program
-
Length of Service rewards
Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.
