At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis while influencing key business decisions.
- Company: Dynamic multi-site organisation with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with exposure to senior leadership and strategic projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by challenging assumptions and driving strategic financial decisions.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong FP&A and commercial finance experience.
£75K - £85K plus bonus
West London
Want a commercial finance role where you're actually expected to have an opinion? This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible finance role where you'll work closely with senior leadership, challenge operational performance and influence some of the organisation's biggest planning and investment decisions. I'm working with a complex, growing, multi-site organisation looking for a Commercial Finance Manager to take a leading role across planning, performance and business partnering. This isn't a role centred around producing reports and explaining variances after the event. You'll be expected to understand what is driving performance, challenge the assumptions behind the numbers and help the business decide what to do next.
What you'll be doing:
- Owning key areas of budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
- Partnering senior operational and commercial leaders across the business.
- Analysing revenue, volume, labour, headcount and operational performance.
- Identifying what is driving performance and turning the analysis into clear recommendations.
- Challenging stakeholders on forecasts, assumptions, costs and proposed actions.
- Evaluating Capex and Opex investment cases, including payback and benefit realisation.
- Identifying and tracking cost-saving and revenue-growth opportunities.
- Supporting senior management and Board reporting.
- Building and improving financial models across revenue, labour, headcount and cash flow.
- Working across Operations, Procurement, Financial Accounting and Transactional Finance.
- Supporting strategic and commercially focused projects.
- Improving forecasting, reporting, systems and automation across finance.
What we're looking for:
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong experience across FP&A, commercial finance or finance business partnering.
- More importantly, someone who can take a business problem, get underneath the numbers and confidently form a view.
- You'll ideally have:
- Strong budgeting, forecasting and performance analysis experience.
- Excellent commercial finance and business partnering capability.
- Strong Excel and financial modelling skills.
- Experience partnering operational or commercial teams.
- The confidence to challenge senior stakeholders.
- Strong presentation and communication skills.
- The ability to simplify complex financial information.
- Experience within a high-volume, operational or multi-site environment.
- An interest in improving finance systems, processes and automation.
Why this role stands out:
The opportunity here is influence. You'll have an established finance team around you, meaning your role can focus much more heavily on understanding performance, challenging the business and supporting better decisions. You'll work closely with the Head of Finance and senior operational leadership, with exposure to major planning, investment and strategic decisions. For someone who wants to build towards a broader Head of Finance, Commercial Finance or senior finance leadership role, it offers a very strong next step.
You'll get:
- Genuine exposure to senior leadership.
- Ownership of major planning and forecasting activity.
- Direct influence over commercial and operational decisions.
- Exposure to strategic projects and investment cases.
- The opportunity to modernise FP&A processes and systems.
- A role where you are encouraged to challenge rather than simply report.
- Strong longer-term career progression.
Commercial Finance Manager - Planning & Performance in London employer: Akkodis
As a Power Platform Architect with us, you'll join a forward-thinking organisation in London that values innovation and collaboration. We offer a dynamic hybrid work environment, competitive daily rates, and a culture that fosters professional growth through challenging projects and continuous learning opportunities. Our commitment to employee development and a supportive atmosphere makes us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in business intelligence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager - Planning & Performance in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Akkodis. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Manager - Planning & Performance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Akkodis.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Akkodis's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Akkodis
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Akkodis.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Akkodis will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Akkodis employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
