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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our finance team to deliver insights and support strategic decisions.
- Company: Be part of a fast-growing retail business in North Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact with your analytical skills in a dynamic, award-winning environment.
- Qualifications: Solid understanding of finance; degree or part-qualified preferred.
- Other info: Ideal for self-starters who thrive in fast-paced settings.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 51000 £ per year.
Forge Talent are partnering with a fast growing retail business based in North Manchester to recruit an analytical and driven Finance Analyst to join an award winning finance team within a fast-paced, data-focused environment. This role plays a key part in supporting strategic and operational decisions by delivering financial insight and performance analysis across a key area of the business.
You’ll work closely with commercial teams to drive financial understanding and challenge assumptions, helping to ensure informed, value-led decision-making.
The Role
As a Finance Analyst, you will work alongside the finance team to provide accurate reporting, analysis, and forecasting to stakeholders. The role offers a great blend of analysis, business partnering, and financial planning responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver actionable insights and make recommendations to improve outcomes
- Contribute to forecasting cycles and support annual planning activities
- Analyse variances against forecast and budget, identifying key trends and drivers
- Prepare timely weekly and monthly financial updates with commentary and insights
- Build relationships with non-finance stakeholders to understand business performance
- Track and report on financial KPIs, ensuring clarity and accuracy for senior management
- Support improvements to financial processes, tools, and reporting automation
- Assist in scenario modelling and other ad hoc analysis as needed
Experience & Skills
Essential:
- Solid understanding of financial planning, analysis, and reporting
- Confident communicator, able to explain financial concepts clearly to non-finance stakeholders
- High proficiency in Excel, with strong data handling and analytical skills
- Self-starter with excellent attention to detail and ability to prioritise in a fast-moving environment
- Prior experience in commercial or corporate finance, preferably in a business partnering context
Desirable:
- Degree in a relevant subject (Finance, Economics, Business, etc.)
- Actively studying or part-qualified (ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)
- Experience in retail or FMCG sectors, particularly in multi-site or operational finance
- Familiarity with business intelligence tools (especially Power BI) and financial process automation
Contact Detail:
Forge Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the retail sector, especially the financial aspects. Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in retail will help you engage more effectively with stakeholders during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your Excel skills, particularly advanced functions and data analysis techniques. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in Excel during discussions can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you've previously contributed to financial planning and analysis. Be ready to share specific examples of how your insights led to improved decision-making or outcomes in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the finance and retail sectors. Engaging with industry contacts can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial planning, analysis, and reporting. Emphasise your proficiency in Excel and any experience you have in commercial finance or business partnering.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you're interested in the Finance Analyst role specifically within the retail sector. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as delivering actionable insights and building relationships with non-finance stakeholders.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Provide examples of past experiences where you've successfully analysed financial data or contributed to forecasting cycles. Highlight any specific tools or methodologies you used, especially if you have experience with business intelligence tools like Power BI.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. Ensure that your application is clear, concise, and free of mistakes, as attention to detail is crucial for a Finance Analyst role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forge Talent
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Finance Analyst, your ability to analyse data is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used data analysis to drive business decisions or improve financial outcomes in previous roles.
✨Communicate Financial Concepts Clearly
Since you'll be working with non-finance stakeholders, practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your communication skills and your ability to bridge the gap between finance and other departments.
✨Demonstrate Proficiency in Excel
Excel skills are essential for this role. Be ready to discuss your experience with advanced Excel functions, data handling, and any relevant projects where you utilised these skills to deliver insights or reports.
✨Prepare for Scenario Modelling Questions
Given the role's focus on forecasting and scenario modelling, anticipate questions that assess your approach to these tasks. Think about how you would model different financial scenarios and what factors you would consider in your analysis.
