Company Overview
Forbidden Planet is a specialist pop culture retailer operating 19 stores across the UK and Ireland and a majority owned joint venture in New York, with group turnover of £32m. The business operates across multiple legal entities, including UK and Irish operations, and has international exposure.
Following a period of significant growth and transformation, the business is focused on strengthening its financial controls, reporting capability, governance, and systems, while maintaining a lean and commercially disciplined operating model.
Role Summary
The Management Accountant will play a pivotal role in delivering accurate financial reporting, insightful analysis, and performance metrics to support commercial decision-making in a high-volume retail environment. The role will drive improved financial control, reporting efficiency, and business performance visibility across multiple retail locations and cost centres.
Key Responsibilities
Management Accounts & Reporting:
· Prepare full monthly management accounts including P&L, balance sheet, and cashflow statements.
· Produce detailed variance analysis (actual vs budget, YoY, week-on-week trends).
· Maintain robust accruals, prepayments, intercompany, and fixed asset journals.
· Ensure timely and accurate balance sheet reconciliations for all control accounts.
· Develop and improve monthly board reporting packs, dashboards, and commentary.
· Support stock accounting, shrinkage reporting, cost-of-sales accuracy, and margin analysis.
· Produce weekly sales, margin and KPI reporting for senior leadership.
· Partner with operations to analyse store performance and identify profit drivers.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Planning:
· Assist with the annual budgeting process and quarterly reforecasts.
· Build forecasting models for sales, margins, overheads, and cashflow.
· Identify financial risks and opportunities with mitigation or action plans.
Commercial & Operational Support:
· Provide financial insight on promotions, pricing, and category performance.
· Support business cases for new store openings, refurbishments, or operational investments.
· Monitor cost-saving initiatives and track benefits realisation.
Controls, Compliance & Audit:
· Strengthen financial controls and uphold compliance with accounting standards.
· Lead audit queries relating to management accounts.
· Proactively drive improvements in reporting processes and system automation.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Reporting Accuracy & Timeliness:
· Management accounts delivered by Working Day 5 each month.
· Zero material errors identified in internal or external reviews.
· 100% completion of balance sheet reconciliations monthly.
Commercial Value & Insight:
· Delivery of monthly insight commentary highlighting key drivers and recommended actions.
· Accuracy of forecasts within ±3–5% of actual outcomes.
· Demonstrable support to commercial teams resulting in margin improvement or cost savings.
Operational Efficiency:
· Reduction in reporting time through automation (target: 10–20% time saving per quarter).
· Improvement of data integrity KPIs (e.g., reducing data discrepancies by 20% YoY).
Stakeholder Satisfaction:
· Positive feedback from Financial Controller, Store Managers, and Operations team measured via periodic stakeholder review.
Requirements
Qualifications:
· Part-qualified or finalist: ACCA / CIMA / ACA.
· Strong management accounting experience ideally within retail or multi-site environment.
Technical Skills:
· Highly proficient in Excel (lookups, pivot tables, Power Query).
· Experience in ERP systems such as SAGE 200 or Dynamics 365 BC.
Personal Attributes:
· Analytical and commercially minded.
· Strong communicator across financial and non-financial stakeholders.
· Able to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Reports To: Financial Controller
37.5 hours per week
CV and cover letter must be provided.
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
Pay: £37,500.00-£42,500.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Brentwood CM13 3FR
