Financial Analyst (9 month contract)

The Finance Analyst will play a crucial role in analysing financial data, preparing reports, and supporting the decision-making process to ensure the organisation’s financial health. The role sits within the Finance and Risk function in the broader Corporate Services team and reports to the Senior Finance and Risk Manager, critical to the smooth running of the organisation’s operations. The ideal person is someone who, after a short onboarding process, is able to contribute meaningfully, improving reports, challenging assumptions, supporting budget holders and can independently pick up existing projects and maintain momentum with strong analytical skills. They will also need to quickly understand business models, budgets, funding streams.

The individual will collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide financial insights, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. This role requires a strong analytical mindset, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex financial information to guide the organisation’s financial strategies. The role also supports the Corporate Services Director and the wider team in relation to office managerial tasks.

Overview

To safeguard and strategically guide an organisation’s financial health this role involves overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to ensure that the company’s financial practices align with its goals. By analysing financial data and providing insights, the Finance Analyst helps senior leaders make informed decisions, guiding investments and allocating resources effectively. Additionally, they ensure compliance with financial regulations, manage risks, and maintain accurate financial records. Their work is essential to optimising financial performance, minimising costs, and maximising profitability, all of which contribute to the Secretariat’s sustainability and growth.

Purpose of role

• Payroll Processing: Oversee and support the delivery of the monthly payroll process, including preparation and review of the payroll files to the outsourcing companies, carrying out calculations around pay, etc., providing an accurate and well-controlled process, and enabling payments to be made on the pay date each month. Liaise with the suppliers and monitor outcomes to ensure accuracy with both employee costs and employee tax requirements. This will also need to be completed for the overseas employees and their payroll providers.
• Financial Analysis & Reporting: Monitor financial performance against budget, forecast and key performance indicators (KPIs), analysing variances and trends. Create regular financial reports on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Assist with the timely and accurate preparation of financial statements, reports, and disclosures in accordance with accounting principles and regulatory requirements.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Assist the Senior Finance and Risk Manager with the annual budgeting process, working closely with the department heads and senior management to ensure compliance, accuracy and understanding. Monitor performance against budget, identify variances, explore and provide explanations and highlight recommendations for corrective actions.
• Variance Analysis: Perform monthly variance analysis comparing actuals to budgets and forecasts. Provide insights into key drivers behind variances and recommend improvements where necessary.
• Cost Management: Track and analyse expenses, cost structures, and specify resource allocation to ensure financial efficiency. Explore, construct and propose cost-saving measures and evaluate the financial implications of business decisions to achieve positive returns.
• Systems and Controls: Act as champion user of Xero software, maximising features and capabilities of the software to enhance efficiencies and team working. Work with the Senior Finance and Risk manager to contribute to the implementation of procedures to ensure effective financial controls across the Secretariat. Demonstrate knowledge of risk and internal controls requirements. Initiate systems for audits/checks to identify potential trends/exceptions and highlight risks and potential solutions/route causes to the Senior Finance & Risk Manager as they arise for prompt discussions and resolution.
• Supporting External Auditors: Provide auditors with requested documentation, explanations, and access to financial systems. Assist in responding to auditor requests for specific information, clarifications, or supporting evidence during the audit process.
• Financial Support for Product Development: Collaborate with teams to provide financial analysis and budgeting for new product initiatives. Evaluate the financial feasibility of new product ideas, conducting cost-benefit analyses and providing profitability forecasts.
• Credit Trading Platform & BIF (Bonsucro Impact Fund): Set up and maintain credit trading platform user accounts, ensuring appropriate due diligence checks are performed and documentation filed as per our internal requirements.
• Delivery: Maintain accurate and up to date accounting records to support provision of timely, accurate and relevant information for colleagues, senior colleagues and governance bodies. Organise and maintain sales, purchase & general ledgers to sustain compliance and standards as per our legal obligations.

Experience

Ideally 8+ years' experience in finance, FP&A, management accounting, or business partnering roles. Proven experience supporting senior leadership teams with financial analysis and decision-making. Strong financial modeling and data analysis skills. Proficiency in financial software (e.g., Excel, SAP, Oracle, XERO or other ERP systems). Excellent written and verbal communication skills to present financial data to both financial and non-financial audiences. Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. A Master’s degree or professional certification (e.g., CIMA, ACA, ACCA) is a plus.