Assistant Financial Controller

Company Overview

Smyths Toys is recognized as one of the leading specialty retailers in the childrens toy marketplace, operating both online and through numerous retail outlets across Europe and the UK. The company partners with a diverse range of suppliers both domestically and internationally.

Role Summary

The Assistant Financial Controller will play a critical role within Group Finance by supporting financial functions, ensuring accurate statutory and management reporting, driving ongoing process enhancements, and acting as the liaison between finance, IT, and other business units. The position demands a blend of robust technical accounting skills and strong interpersonal communication capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in compiling the Consolidated Group Annual Financial Statements under FRS102 standards, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and punctuality.
• Supervise statutory accounts preparation for subsidiaries, maintaining uniform accounting policies throughout the group.
• Lead the adoption and integration of new accounting standards groupwide.
• Coordinate audit activities and maintain effective relationships with auditors across all subsidiaries within agreed timelines.
• Manage the monthly group end-close and oversee timely, precise management reporting.
• Develop and uphold consolidation and intercompany processes aligning with group guidelines.
• Champion a strong control environment by identifying and improving financial processes continually.
• Collaborate with Tax, local finance teams, and business units to implement group policies that mitigate risks and uphold financial controls.
• Work closely with IT and system stakeholders to enhance financial systems, reporting capabilities, and automation efforts.
• Serve as the finance lead for system upgrades and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring data integrity and system consistency.
• Effectively communicate complex financial matters to stakeholders without finance backgrounds.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships across finance groups and business units.

Candidate Profile

• Qualified accountant with minimum two years post-qualification experience, preferably with a background in a Big 4 firm.
• Strong proficiency in technical accounting, particularly with FRS standards.
• Experience managing audits and statutory reporting processes.
• Familiarity with SAP or comparable ERP systems is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential.

Benefits Package

• Competitive salary accompanied by a performance bonus scheme.
• Annual leave entitlement of 33 days, inclusive of public holidays.
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme to support retirement planning.
• Life assurance coverage for employee security.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme for well-being support.
• Employee discounts available for in-store purchases.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity payments provided by the company.
• Special gifts to celebrate significant life events.
• Recognition awards for length of service.
• Participation in the Bike to Work Scheme encouraging sustainable commuting.
• Smyths Toys emphasizes equal employment opportunities, fostering a diverse workplace.