Stock Accounting Controls Manager

About the Role

At Primark, we prioritize people and foster a culture that values individuality, growth, and impact. The Stock Accounting Controls Manager is responsible for overseeing the financial governance and control of inventory accounting, ensuring accuracy of stock balances on the Balance Sheet and the related impacts on the Profit & Loss account. The role collaborates across multiple departments including outsourced service providers, Sales & Margin, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, Technology, and Internal Controls, acting as the key subject matter expert on inventory accounting.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the governance framework for inventory accounting and stock balance sheet oversight.
• Supervise stock accounting tasks carried out by outsourced providers, ensuring compliance with accounting policies and controls.
• Review, challenge, and validate stock reconciliations, variances, ageing items, provisions, and write-off proposals.
• Promptly identify, escalate and resolve inventory accounting issues and control weaknesses.
• Strengthen financial controls around stock accounting and continuously improve inventory control environments.
• Lead inventory accounting during Internal and External Audit processes and other control reviews.
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of inventory balances during period-end reporting, approve significant balances, adjustments, and write-offs.
• Analyze unusual stock movements and discrepancies, ensuring proper action plans.
• Provide financial insight and detailed commentary on inventory impact for financial reports.
• Collaborate with sales and margin teams to explain stock movement impacts on profitability.
• Guide, support, and coach outsourced service providers on complex inventory accounting matters.
• Monitor service quality, performance, and adherence to service agreements.
• Drive improvements, standardization, and automation in inventory accounting processes.
• Document and maintain processes, control frameworks, and procedures for stock accounting.
• Lead implementation of new inventory controls and ensure their integration across operations.
• Manage remediation of control failures, reconciliation problems, and stock discrepancies.
• Oversee controls related to stock losses, vendor returns, stock recalls, freight and duty accounting, write-offs, depot transfers, franchise inventory, and other inventory processes.
• Represent Finance on projects involving inventory, system updates, and business transformations.
• Provide inventory accounting expertise for new business processes, supply chain initiatives, and technology implementations.
• Evaluate accounting and control implications of new operating models and inventory flows.
• Ensure all inventory-related process changes embed strong governance and financial controls.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with over 5 years of experience in a retail or high-volume environment.
• Proficient knowledge of financial controls, balance sheet governance, and period-end reporting.
• Extensive experience in inventory accounting, stock control, financial reporting, or financial controls.
• Experience managing or overseeing outsourced/shared service operations.
• Proven track record supporting both internal and external audits within a strict control framework.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and Technology teams.
• Demonstrated leadership in process improvement, control enhancement, and change initiatives.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong stakeholder management with effective influencing skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation capabilities.
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to financial precision.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet tight reporting deadlines.
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with financial systems; ERP experience preferred (Oracle).

Additional Information

Primark places people at the core of its operations. With a heritage dating back to 1969 in Dublin, the company has grown into a multinational retailer with over 440 stores and more than 80,000 employees worldwide. Primark’s values emphasize caring, dynamism, and teamwork.

The company provides a supportive environment, including healthcare, pension, potential bonuses, 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays with an option to purchase additional days, Tax Saver Tickets, access to fitness facilities, and a subsidized cafeteria to promote healthy lifestyles.

Applicants requiring reasonable adjustments during recruitment due to accessibility needs can request accommodations. Employment offers are contingent on background checks including proof of right to work, references, education verification, and where applicable, criminal and financial checks.