Accounting Expertise Manager

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

Job Title: Accounting Expertise Manager

Location: 100VE

JOB PURPOSE

The Group Chief Accountant’s Department (GCAD) is part of the central Finance team. GCAD is responsible for Unilever’s external financial reporting and global financial reporting controls (including Sarbanes Oxley compliance), managing the global auditor relationship; determining and implementing Unilever’s accounting policies; and many other projects related to how Unilever measures its performance and presents and communicates this to the external world. GCAD are responsible for the collection of the monthly management result, the monthly financial results as well as the collection process for the forecast.

The GCAD Reporting, Accounting and Training Expertise team is responsible for:

• Expertise on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and application within Unilever:

• Determine global accounting policies, implement them and ensure compliance
• Provide timely and clear guidance on the accounting implications of business decisions.
• Assess the impact of proposed changes to IFRS and identify the actions required internally to comply with them. Where necessary act as advocate for the company with the standard setters or other governance bodies to defend its interests.
• Developing and implementing a training strategy to support Unilever's financial reporting community. Deliver the training through various mediums, to address the needs of different audiences and learning preferences (such as e-learning, guides to best practice and live meetings)
• Exclusive responsibility for developing and implementing an accounting and reporting knowledge management strategy to deliver ongoing support to Unilever's finance community

The team is responsible for reviewing all external GAAP, controls and reporting developments, lobbying on potential developments and identifying the implications and actions required internally to comply / meet all related challenges that arise.

The purpose of this role of the accounting expertise manager is to ensure the group’s accounting policies are up to date, monitor and issue advise on new interpretations. They should have extensive accounting expertise and be externally focussed to ensure that Unilever’s financial accounting policies, advisory and resources are best in class amongst our peers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounting expertise

• Tracking of external technical accounting developments, summarising for management  and support Unilever’s interpretation and implementation of the most technical accounting areas
• Ensuring Unilever’s APM and PAD remain fit for purpose through regular review of key policies
• Interpretation of new standards / legislation and ensuring readiness and actual application to the Unilever group, across all countries
• Provision of consistent, high quality accounting advice to the rest of Unilever on application of the Group’s accounting policies
• Networking with other teams and functions to solicit accounting queries where appropriate

Quarterly activities

• Responsible for preparing Audit committee paper for review and approval of Group dividends
• Preparation of immaterial items assessment on a semi-annual basis, subject to external audit review
• Hyperinflation accounting – supporting and reviewing RAO team’s work on a quarterly basis and reviewing external developments for any new additions.
• Assist in delivering the training strategy for accounting skills and capabilities throughout Unilever via supporting the RATE Senior Manager
• Validation of claims/statements made in the Annual Report and Accounts - engaging with all different parts of the business, including many outside Finance supported by short term secondees from other departments – managing them and ensuring the work is complete to a tight timetable
• Assist in the creation of year-end reports related to new accounting developments, immaterial items assessment, hyperinflationary non-adjusted countries and Note 1
• Ad hoc related assignments within the Group Chief Accountant’s Department (GCAD)

ALL ABOUT YOU

• Qualified Financial Accountant with post qualified experience
• Strong IFRS knowledge and understanding the requirements of external auditors
• Advanced organisational skills and task management
• Attention to detail
• Good interpersonal skills to build rapport with various stakeholder
• Knowledge of the UK Companies Act and experience of its application to distributable reserves (desirable)
• Corporate Centre experience of a large global listed group (desirable)
• Strong background on Unilever operations (ideally through previous experiences on finance business partnering and county operations)”.

Location

In 2020, Unilever announced the intention to build a new sustainable campus site in Kingston, London to house the employees who currently work in 100 Victoria Embankment in Blackfriars ("100VE"), Lever House in Kingston and Graze in Richmond, the build is due to be complete in early 2025. Most recently, in August 2024, we announced our intention to retain our premises in 100VE until our lease expires in 2027.

We are due to consult with our existing workforce on the new proposal to retain 100VE for the duration of our lease. Therefore, until such a time consultation has concluded as to the retention of our 100VE office, this role will be based in 100 Victoria Embankment until early 2025 and then will move to the Kingston Campus.

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

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