Transactional Finance Administrator

WHO WE ARE

Operating in 120 countries with 42,000 employees and 70 nationalities, Shiseido offers a unique selection of Skincare, Makeup and Fragrance brands with a projected turnover over £7.0bn in 2022.  Founded in 1872 in Japan, Shiseido Group is within the Top 5 leading cosmetics companies in the world and aims to inspire a life of beauty and culture.

Through our heritage, Shiseido constantly creates high-quality, safe and innovative cosmetics and develop brands deeply loved by people from all over the world, in line with our mission: Beauty Innovations for a Better World.  

YOUR NEXT ROLE : Transactional Finance Administrator (Apprentice)

This position sits within a team of 18 highly motivated finance professionals and supports the day-to-day running of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable across the UK&I business as a transactional finance administrator.

You will gain experience in processing transactions, supporting payments and collections, and maintaining accurate financial records.

This is a development role suited to a motivated and detail-focused individual who is eager to learn, build relationships, and grow within a finance team while contributing to accurate and efficient financial processes. 

Reporting into the Senior Accounts Payable Controller, this is a permanent position, based in our fabulous UK Head office 3 days a week office minimum.

This role is best suited to individuals who are keen to learn a base level of finance administration or is looking for a side move into a finance specialism from a general administrative position.

We also offer the opportunity to gain professional qualifications via the Apprenticeship route.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Finance Administrator, every day will be diverse. This role requires a strong organiser, someone who can handle repetition with ease elevate their excel knowledge on a daily basis and learn systems efficiently. This role will focus on:

• Monitor and manage shared finance inboxes (AR, AP, and Expenses), ensuring queries are responded to in a timely and professional manner or escalated where appropriate.

• Support daily banking activities, including cash allocation and ensuring receipts are accurately recorded against customer accounts.

• Maintain and update weekly reporting trackers (e.g. debit notes), ensuring information is accurate and up to date.

• Carry out administrative tasks relating to debit notes, including logging, tracking, and supporting communication with relevant stakeholders.

• Support the team with query resolution, taking a common-sense approach to escalating issues to achieve timely and effective outcomes.

• Assist with core transactional finance activities, including debit note processing, recharges, cash allocation, and basic reconciliations.

• Provide support during audit processes, responding to requests and gathering required documentation as directed by the team.

• Work collaboratively as part of the team, building knowledge and providing day-to-day support to colleagues where needed.

• Produce and share weekly reports to the wider business (e.g. outstanding purchase orders and approvals), helping to minimise delays in invoice processing and payment.

• Process supplier invoices, ensuring they are accurately recorded, matched to approved purchase orders, and comply with company policies.

• Support the set-up and maintenance of supplier records in the finance system, ensuring data is accurate and complete.
• Ensure all transactions are processed in line with internal controls, policies, and procedures.

• Maintain accurate and organised financial records and documentation to support audit and reporting requirements.
• Assist in identifying process improvements and support the team in implementing changes.

•  Build an understanding of end-to-end transactional finance processes across Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Expenses.

YOUR BACKGROUND

We value diversity and creativity in all that we do. Your suitability will come through arrange of experiences and backgrounds. Specifically we encourage experiences from the below:

• Experienced administrative skills, with strong numerical accuracy & attention to detail spotting discrepancies and ensuring precision
• A curious mind, using data analysis and interpreting financial data to support decision-making
• A willingness to explore and elevate your excel proficiency – formulas, pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP
• Accounting software awareness is not essential but a plus! – e.g. SAP, Oracle, Xero, Sage
• Customer service mindset – professional handling of queries and discrepancies
• Issue resolution – investigating and correcting financial errors
• Process improvement – finding efficiencies and reducing manual work

BENEFITS YOU’LL LOVE

• Generous product allocation & discount to spend on our gorgeous products!
• Supporting the delicate work/life balance with enhanced time off through 26 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday day off + time off for when you get married or move house PLUS enhanced parental allowance for those big life moments and the chance to buy more through our holiday buy scheme
• Plan for your future with our enhanced pension offering
• We operate an annual bonus scheme, based on personal development plans and business performance
• Flexible Fridays, so you can focus on what is important to you
• Flexible & hybrid work patterns to suit all backgrounds with 60% of your time being in the office 
• Wellbeing programmes including mental health first aiders, free counselling, access to digital GP’s
• Financial support via exclusive retail discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme via Wisdom – health and wellbeing, financial support at your fingertips.
• Monthly access to L&D opportunities to help your continuous development

INCLUSION HEROS

Together, we can build a vibrant and dynamic team that reflects the diverse world we serve.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that a diverse workforce enhances our creativity, innovation, and overall success.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability or religion and are proud to promote a culture which supports and appreciates people from all backgrounds. We are always open to flexible working, part time arrangements and any adjustments which you might need to get the best experience whilst at work.

We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and ensuring that our hiring practices reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

We are proud to be recognised as a  disability confident employer and have a number of internal employee forums which promote advocacy for our teams. If you need any support or adjustments during your interview or application, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to support you.

OUR HIRING PROCESS

Once you have applied for the role, our in house recruitment team will screen your CV. We will do our best to get back to all candidates who apply, however in some cases it may not be possible due to the high volume of applications. If you have not heard back from us within 30 days of your application, unfortunately this may be you have not been successful on this occasion.

If your CV is shortlisted, then you will be contacted by our recruitment team. They will arrange a pre-screening call, to explore your motivation, suitability and role expectations. After the pre-screen, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. Successful applicants will be invited to at least 1 interview. Preferably, we would like to meet you in person and give you the opportunity to test your commute as well as see your potential place of work! In some cases, we may invite you to an assessment centre or to present your ideas in the form of a business presentation.

We know there are many AI tools in the market to help candidates with interview preparation and interviews. We encourage you to limit usage of these tools during live interviews, so that we are able to encounter your own personal reflections and thought processes contributing to the discussion.

Please note: If you do not have the right to work in the UK and would require sponsorship for this role then you must ensure you meet UKVI requirements for the position. Please reach out if you need further information on this and whether we offer sponsorship.

KEEN TO KNOW MORE?

• Click here to learn more about our brands
• Click here to learn more about Our Principles and The Shiseido Philosophy