Job Description

Opportunity Overview

This exciting opportunity has arisen following the acquisition of the Platform 9¾ business by Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. Are you a Qualified Accountant with experience in a similar or related role working within a fast paced, rapidly growing retail business? If so then we want to hear from you!

Platform 9 ¾ Group based in Leavesden/ Borehamwood/ Radlett is the home of Harry Potter’s Wizarding World merchandise, souvenirs, and collectibles. Every year The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾ welcomes over 1.2 million visitors. Since opening the first shop at Kings Cross Station in December 2012 we have opened additional Harry Potter Shops in Heathrow Terminal 5 and Gatwick’s North Terminal, as well as opening stores as part of The Cursed Child theatre production in London, New York and Melbourne.

Primary purpose of the job:

The position works within the Finance of the Company Business Unit and will be responsible for supporting the set up, systems, processes and reporting for the new Flagship overseeing the month end close process for the BU, calculation of KPIs, royalty reporting, analysis and control activities including monthly internal management reporting to local and Burbank management, safeguarding Company assets and ensuring GAAP and SOX compliance. The role reports into and works closely with the Financial Controller and alongside the newly established retail finance team.

The position will be the key point person for all finance-related matters in respect of the new retail POS and warehouse management system, Aptos, which is being implemented in 2020. The role will need to attend all related meetings, follow up on action items, ensure excellent communication of issues throughout the retail finance team in the UK and Burbank and co-ordinate resources across the teams to ensure the appropriate level of testing before implementation.


Accountabilities

• Key point person for Aptos implementation, including attending all meetings, communication and follow up on key finance-related issues as well as co-ordination of testing
• Work closely with the Finance Director and wider finance retail finance team to establish the set up and support the month end process to generate accurate P&L results for all cost/profit centres within the Retail BU, in particular Flagship
• Assist the Finance Director during the budget and planning process to enable comparison of monthly financial results budget/ forecast and provide to Burbank and management in line with other WB businesses
• Ensure all royalties calculations are prepared accurately and on a timely basis and payments made appropriately as required
• Work closely with the Finance Director and Burbank Finance team to oversee the day to day operational finance activities
• Work closely with both the Financial Controller and Flagship team to present the monthly results to Senior Management in Burbank at various meetings
• Support the retail finance team on Balance Sheet reviews and reconciliations as required
• Perform and maintain SOX reconciliations and Internal Controls documents as required
• Work closely with auditors as required
• Ad hoc analysis (e.g. margin analysis, new business development) as required

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Retail and systems technology implementation experience
• Able to manage conflicting priorities and tight deadlines to ensure key deliverables are met
• Detail oriented with the ability to keep focused on the big picture
• Good knowledge of SAP
• Excellent Excel skills
• Previous experience of US GAAP desirable
• Previous experience of SOX audit and compliance is preferable.
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to interact successfully with all levels of staff, management and customers

Education/Qualifications:

• Qualified Accountant - Minimum of 2 years PQE or equivalent
• Demonstrated technology/systems expertise

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Retail and systems technology implementation experience • Able to manage conflicting priorities and tight deadlines to ensure key deliverables are met • Detail oriented with the ability to keep focused on the big picture • Good knowledge of SAP • Excellent Excel skills • Previous experience of US GAAP desirable • Previous experience of SOX audit and compliance is preferable. • Strong analytical skills • Ability to interact successfully with all levels of staff, management and customers