Finance Business Partner - T&L (12 month FTC) in Watford

Finance Business Partner – Tax & Legal (12-month FTC)

Base Location: Watford or Leeds

The KPMG Finance function is a cornerstone of our UK business. Operating from 20 UK locations and sitting with KPMG Central Services we do work that matters. Within Central Services we are part of a community of experts across a wide range of critical activities who help grow, run, and protect KPMG in the UK. From HR and Learning, Finance, Procurement, Facilities and Business Support, through to Risk and Legal, Corporate Affairs, and Sales and Marketing, our approach is focused on driving the improved performance of the firm, which we support with diligence and expertise. KPMG is one of the world\’s largest and most respected consultancy businesses. We’ve supported the UK through times of war and peace, prosperity and recession, political and regulatory upheaval and have proudly stood beside the institutions and businesses that make the UK what it is.

Role Purpose

The Finance Business Partner acts as a strategic advisor, combining financial insight with commercial acumen to influence decisions and drive performance. This role balances robust financial control with proactive engagement, ensuring the service line achieves its strategic and operational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a thorough understanding of the business area supported, proactively learning the services it provides, client issues it seeks to address, sectors it operates in, and key clients & contracts.
• Build strong and trusted relationships with key stakeholders, including service line leadership and others providing operational support.
• Monitor and report on business financial performance; covering all aspects of revenue, profitability, and lock‑up; including underlying non‑financial drivers. Drive accountability, and influence financial performance & decision‑making, by providing challenge and data‑driven insights/advice.
• Stewardship over the respective business’ P&L and Balance Sheet, ensuring that client engagements and the overall service line’s accounts accurately reflect the financial performance and position of the business, in line with the firm’s accounting policies and procedures.
• Initiate and execute deep dive financial performance reviews on a routine basis, to determine facts, and drive corrective action as necessary.
• Ensure that revenue recognition is in line with accounting standards.
• Manage spend, including approvals in line with the organisational policy and business’ budget. Work with the team member(s) responsible for cost accounting, to ensure that expenses are accounted for accurately and on a timely basis.
• Work with the Working Capital team to ensure that sufficient action is taken on unbilled revenue and debt items, thereby ensuring that the lock‑up for the overall business is managed adequately.
• Lead on the compilation of financial long‑term plans, budgets, and forecasts for the respective business area. Align financial plans with business objectives, to support sustainable growth.
• Prepare reports, insightful commentaries, and briefing papers; both routine and ad‑hoc, as necessary.
• Drive standardisation and efficiency in the production and use of MI, challenging exceptions.
• Day‑to‑day management of team members, including work allocation and prioritisation, understanding and supporting training needs, and dealing with performance issues.
• Play an active role in the broader finance community, including knowledge sharing, participation in meetings and ad‑hoc projects.
• Be an advocate for change programmes delivered by Finance or the wider KPMG Corporate Services function, including automation, self‑service, standardisation, and any other changes in ways of working.

Skills & Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or relevant degree.
• Strong and relevant experience, preferably gained in a service‑based organisation.
• Resilient and able to manage multiple senior stakeholders; with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to interpret, articulate, and present complex financial data clearly.
• Commercially aware, and proactive in challenging the status quo.
• A continuous improvement mindset, keen to embrace technology‑driven change.
• Experience of managing junior colleagues and providing ‘on the job’ coaching.

Find Out More

• Central Services (KBS) at KPMG: www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/experienced-professional/kpmg-business-services/
• Inclusivity and KPMG: www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/people-culture/being-inclusive/
• KPMG Workability and Disability confidence: www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/experienced-professional/applying-to-kpmg/need-support-let-us-know/

• Tips for interview: www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/experienced-professional/applying-to-kpmg/application-advice/
• KPMG values: www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/experienced-professional/applying-to-kpmg/our-values/
• KPMG Competencies: www.kpmgcareers.co.uk/experienced-professional/applying-to-kpmg/kpmg-competencies/
• KPMG Locations and FAQ: www.kpmg.com/uk/en/about/offices.html

For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.