Finance Business Analyst

Finance Business Analyst

Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
AXIS (AXIS Capital)

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support COO with cost insights and Anaplan modelling for operational performance.
  • Company: Join AXIS Capital, a leader in specialty insurance and reinsurance.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, health plans, tuition reimbursement, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and development.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in finance while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Part-qualified accountant or degree in finance; strong Excel and data skills required.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital – a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance. We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture. As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry. At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves.

Job Description: Finance Business Analyst

About The Team Corporate FP&A partners with the CEO, CFO, ExCo and senior leaders across Corporate Functions, Reinsurance and ACS to translate financial plans, forecasts and performance insights into clear decisions, funded strategic options and disciplined cost ownership. The team is strengthening its business partnering, strategic planning, modelling and operational excellence capability so FP&A is a forward-looking adviser to the business, not just a reporting function.

How does this role contribute to our collective success? The Finance Business Analyst will play a key role in supporting the COO organisation, partnering on cost, headcount and operational performance insight, while also owning a significant component of Anaplan modelling, configuration and ongoing maintenance. The role also supports routine month- and quarter-end close and the data foundations behind them, helping ensure COO cost reporting and planning models are accurate, timely and well controlled. This role builds the Anaplan and automation capability the team requires by supporting model design, configuration, data loads, validation, maintenance and user adoption. It also supports delivery of the development of an Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) framework and develops the commercial exposure needed to move from generating data to interpreting it.

What will you be doing in this role?

  • A large component of the role will be dedicated to supporting the COO organisation, alongside a key focus on Anaplan modelling, configuration and maintenance.
  • Broader Corporate FP&A support and coverage across other functions will be delivered in addition.

Close, controls and data foundations:

  • Automate simple run-rate BTS entries and other routine postings wherever inputs allow.
  • Complete reconciliations across fixed-asset WIP, project validation and go-live confirmation.
  • Maintain actual-to-budget mapping (OBI extract) by GL, LOB and vendor, keeping the data trusted and consistent.
  • Support COO organisation cost partnering by maintaining clean cost centre, vendor and project-level actuals that enable reliable discussion of spend, run-rate and investment decisions.

Reporting, dashboards and headcount:

  • Deliver report refreshes, rolling templates and G&A dashboard security and maintenance.
  • Run monthly headcount uploads and headcount walks, working closely with HR data sources.
  • Provide ad-hoc support to Group FP&A and broader Corporate FP&A stakeholders across reporting and analysis requests, as secondary coverage to the primary COO organisation focus.
  • Carry out preliminary variance research by GL, LOB and vendor, building toward a clear "so what" and recommendation.
  • Prepare recurring COO organisation cost packs and variance commentary, highlighting movements in headcount, vendor spend, run-rate costs and transformation investment.

Modelling, Anaplan and EPM support:

  • Support development, configuration and maintenance of the Anaplan Workforce model and other Anaplan-based models, including modules, lists, line items, formulas, dashboards, imports and user access.
  • Maintain Anaplan model integrity through controlled structural changes, data-load checks, mapping updates, version management and regular validation against source systems.
  • Translate planning, headcount and cost partnering requirements into practical Anaplan model enhancements, ensuring outputs are intuitive, reliable and aligned to FP&A reporting needs.
  • Act as backup to the model owner and progressively take ownership of routine Anaplan maintenance, enhancement testing and issue resolution, reducing key-person risk across core planning models.
  • Prepare the data, reporting and modelling inputs that deliver the Enterprise Performance Management framework and corporate-function performance assessment, working to the Head of Corporate FP&A.
  • Adopt AI and automation tools to reduce manual effort and improve data accuracy.
  • Support COO planning and forecasting inputs by maintaining driver-based assumptions for workforce, vendor cost, technology run-rate and operational initiatives.

Scope and ways of working:

  • Apply solid professional proficiency and good knowledge of the group's finance systems and products, handling most standard close and reporting issues independently.
  • Work closely with COO organisation stakeholders as the primary customer group, while supporting other internal customers and business partners where required to pin down issues and apply practical solutions.
  • Handle problems of moderate scope, weighing a variety of factors and recommending process improvements.
  • Build trusted working relationships with COO budget owners, helping them understand cost drivers, forecast risks and practical options to manage spend.
  • Take general direction on routine work and detailed guidance on new projects, with work reviewed routinely.
  • Deliver as an independent contributor - execute projects and processes, implement process changes and recommend larger ones for review; may act as day-to‑day lead for outsourced providers.

You may also be required to take on additional duties, responsibilities and activities appropriate to the nature of this role.

About You: We encourage you to bring your own experience and expertise to the table. While there are qualifications and experiences we need you to have, we are open to discussing how your individual knowledge could lend itself to fulfilling this role and helping AXIS achieve its goals.

What We're Looking For From You:

  • Part-qualified or newly qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent), or a degree in finance, accounting or a related discipline.
  • 3+ years of experience in a finance, accounting and reporting role, or business partnering.
  • Strong Excel and data-handling skills, with a keen interest in adopting Anaplan and automation tools.
  • Foundational Anaplan model-building experience across modules, lists, line items, formulas, dashboards, imports, model configuration and ongoing maintenance.
  • Familiarity with enterprise finance and HR systems such as Workday, Oracle, SAP, Hyperion or similar, and reporting tools such as Power BI.
  • Accurate, organised and curious, with a developing "so what" mindset and clear written and verbal communication.
  • Interest in cost partnering with operational functions, including the ability to understand cost drivers, headcount movements, vendor spend and project or transformation investment.
  • Comfortable giving clear, simple answers to routine queries from function stakeholders.

Role factors:

  • This is an office-based professional role, with hybrid working expectations consistent with AXIS policy and business needs.
  • The role may require occasional business travel for planning or stakeholder meetings.
  • No regular driving or manual lifting requirement is expected beyond normal office-based activities.
  • The role requires flexibility during month-end, quarter-end, forecast and planning cycle deadlines.

Success measures - first 12 months - a snapshot Outcome What Good Looks Like:

  • COO cost partnering: Recurring COO cost insight, headcount analysis and variance commentary delivered with clear drivers and practical recommendations.
  • Analytical growth: Variance research increasingly self-directed, ending with a clear recommendation.
  • EPM inputs live: Work with Head of Corporate FP&A to establish and launch a meaningful Enterprise Performance Management Framework, ensuring reliable data, reporting and modelling feeds supporting performance assessment under the EPM framework.
  • Anaplan modelling: Confident support for Anaplan modelling, configuration and maintenance, with the ability to own routine model updates, validate outputs, test enhancements and begin building models independently.
  • Readiness: Ready to take on higher-level analytical work in a reasonable timeframe, spending more time interpreting data than generating it.

What we offer: You will be eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for you and your family, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid annual leave, and much more. For this position, we currently expect to offer a base salary in the range of $100 - 130,000. Your salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors including your specific experience and work location. In addition, you will be offered competitive target incentive compensation, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance.

Where this role can either be based in our NYC office in the United States of America or in our London office in the UK, this role is Exempt for FLSA purposes. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Finance Business Analyst employer: AXIS (AXIS Capital)

AXIS Capital is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where actuaries can thrive as strategic partners to senior leadership. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, AXIS provides a competitive benefits package and fosters a collaborative culture that encourages innovative thinking and impactful contributions to business planning.

AXIS (AXIS Capital)

Contact Details:

AXIS (AXIS Capital) Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance Business Analyst

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 AXIS (AXIS Capital). 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 Finance Business Analyst

Anaplan Modelling
Financial Analysis
Cost Partnering
Data Handling
Excel Proficiency
Variance Analysis
Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)

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 AXIS (AXIS Capital).

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 AXIS (AXIS Capital)'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 AXIS (AXIS Capital)

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 AXIS (AXIS Capital).

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 AXIS (AXIS Capital) 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 AXIS (AXIS Capital) 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.