Stock Accounting Controls Manager

Primark · Dublin, , Ireland

  • Senior
  • Full-time
  • Posted 2026-09-17
  • Confirmed live on 25 September 2026

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Job description

Job Description
The Stock Accounting & Controls Manager is responsible for providing financial oversight, governance and control of Primark's inventory accounting processes, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of stock balances reported in the Balance Sheet and supporting the accurate recognition of stock related impacts within the Profit & Loss account. Working closely with the outsourced service provider, the Sales & Margin Manager, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, Technology and Internal Controls teams, the role will act as the primary inventory accounting subject matter expert within Primark.
The position will oversee the end-to-end stock accounting and reconciliation processes, challenge and support service provider outputs, drive continuous improvement, strengthen financial controls, and ensure risks are identified and resolved in a timely manner. The role will play a key part in period end reporting, inventory governance, audit support, control compliance and the delivery of strategic inventory related projects and business change initiatives.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
Financial Control & Governance

• Own the governance framework surrounding inventory accounting and stock related balance sheet accounts.

• Provide oversight of stock accounting activities performed by the outsourced service provider, ensuring compliance with accounting policies, documented procedures and control requirements.

• Review and challenge stock reconciliations, ageing items, variances, provisions and write off recommendations.

• Ensure the timely identification, escalation and resolution of inventory accounting issues and control weaknesses.

• Maintain strong financial controls over stock accounting processes and support the ongoing enhancement of the inventory control environment.

• Act as the inventory accounting lead for Internal Audit, External Audit and other internal control reviews.
Balance Sheet Ownership & Period End Reporting

• Ensure the completeness and accuracy of inventory and related balance sheet accounts at period end.

• Review reconciliation outputs prepared by the outsourced service provider and approve material balances, adjustments and write offs.

• Assess and challenge unusual movements, aged reconciling items and stock variances, ensuring appropriate action plans are in place.

• Review and approve stock related journals and accounting adjustments where required.

• Provide inventory related commentary, analysis and insight to support period end and year end financial reporting.
Profit & Loss Support & Business Partnering

• Work closely with the Sales & Margin Manager to understand and explain the impact of stock movements, inventory adjustments, provisions and write offs on trading margin and profitability.

• Support business stakeholders in the interpretation of stock losses, inventory trends and stock performance metrics.

• Provide financial insight and challenge on stock related risks and opportunities.
Outsourced Service Provider Oversight

• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex inventory accounting queries and exceptions.

• Monitor service delivery performance, quality and adherence to agreed service levels.

• Provide guidance, coaching and technical support to the outsourced service provider on stock accounting matters.

• Review and approve proposed accounting treatments for complex or unusual inventory transactions.

• Drive continual improvement, standardisation and automation opportunities across inventory accounting processes.
Controls, Risk & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain ownership of inventory accounting process documentation, procedures and control requirements.

• Lead implementation of new inventory controls and ensure they are embedded into operational processes.

• Support root cause analysis and remediation of control failures, reconciliation issues and system related stock discrepancies.

• Oversee controls relating to stock losses, returns to vendors, stock recalls, freight and duty accounting, stock write offs, depot transfers, franchise inventory and other inventory related processes.
Projects & Change Management

• Represent Finance on inventory related projects, system changes and business transformation initiatives.

• Provide inventory accounting expertise and financial control input into new business processes, supply chain initiatives and technology solutions.

• Assess accounting and control implications of new operating models, inventory flows and business change programmes.

• Ensure appropriate governance and financial controls are embedded into all inventory related process changes.

Qualifications
Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with 5+ years of experience in a high volume or retail environment.

• Strong understanding of financial control, balance sheet governance and period end reporting.

• Significant experience in inventory accounting, stock control, financial reportin

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