At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a finance team, manage financial controls, and analyse data using Excel.
- Company: Close Brothers is a leading UK merchant banking group focused on lending and investment management.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, private medical, gym discounts, and additional holiday options.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
- Why this job: Join a diverse team, develop your skills, and make a real impact in finance.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, strong Excel skills, and a relevant accounting qualification are essential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 € per year.
The Vacancy
OVERALL SUMMARY
At Close Brothers we look to recruit individuals from all different backgrounds and encourage you to apply even if you don’t tick every box. We celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity and are open to discuss flexible work options to help you balance your work and home life.
Join Close Brothers Asset Finance & Leasing Finance Team where you will support the Head of Operational Finance and the Finance Director by maintaining the key financial controls over the general ledger, specifically loan book, bank, creditor and suspense accounts and managing and mentoring a team of three in accordance with the philosophy of Group Finance.
This is a hands-on position that combines leadership, analytical problem-solving, and technical expertise to ensure the smooth operation of our finance function. Excel-skills are important as the candidate would need to be able to manage large volumes of transactions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Management
- Hold primary responsibility for Financial Control over the GL accounts that are posted to by the Alfa loan administration system, namely Loan book accounts, Creditors and suspense accounts.
- Hold primary responsibility for financial control of daily bank reconciliations to ensure they are produced accurately and that all reconciling items are investigated and cleared so that no items are outstanding beyond 1 month.
- Lead, motivate, mentor and develop a dedicated team of junior finance staff, providing guidance and support to help them grow in their professional careers.
- Review of monthly balance sheet reconciliations to ensure they are completed and fully investigated within timescales along with the review, investigation and correction of all outstanding items.
- Data Management: Leverage strong Excel skills to analyse and interpret large volumes of financial data to produce general ledger reconciliations.
- Problem Solving: Use strong analytical skills to identify issues, assess risks, and recommend solutions to improve financial processes and decision-making.
Risk & Compliance
Ensure that all Governance and Compliance requirements are adhered to and all reporting and reviewing activities required by the Regulatory Bodies are carried out to the standards required.
Developing Our People: as a line manager, you will be responsible for inspiring and motivating your team, as well as developing performance through coaching. You will encourage your team to take responsibility for their own personal development and provide support through regular feedback.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU HAVE/ARE:
- Proven experience in a finance role, with prior management experience.
- Strong Excel skills, including proficiency with formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis tools.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights.
- Willingness to get involved by performing detailed tasks such as reconciliations while maintaining a strategic outlook.
- Strong interpersonal skills; able to influence others and effective at stakeholder management
- An excellent communicator
- Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) or other relevant experience
IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL BUT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAVE:
- Background in asset finance and leasing
- Experience with ALFA lease management system
- Experience with SAP General Ledger (FICO)
- Experience with Alteryx
We are an inclusive organisation and committed to ensuring our recruitment process is as accessible as possible to everyone. We will make adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or would like to discuss the recruitment process with us, please email us at recruit.ssc@closebrothers.com or request a call back.
ABOUT US
For roles offering hybrid working: At Close Brothers we support employees to balance their work life priorities and in this role you will be able to enjoy a mixture of hybrid working.
Close Brothers is a leading UK merchant banking group providing lending, deposit taking and securities trading. We employ approximately 3,000 people, principally in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Close Brothers Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250.
To find out more about Close Brothers, please visit our careers page: https://www.closebrothers.com/careers
To find out more about life at Close Brothers:
https://www.closebrothers.com/life-close-brothers#374017299-899295541
To find out more about our benefits:
https://www.closebrothers.com/employee-benefits
To find out more about our commitment to creating an inclusive environment:
Our Responsibility - Diversity and inclusion … Close Brothers Group
The Company
At Close Brothers Group, we are all connected by our mission to be the best place in the UK for wealth professionals and their clients.
We believe that everyone should think ahead, have a financial plan and invest wisely. Our clients are professionals, business owners, individuals, charities, families, and employers, who rely on our clear financial advice and investment management services to preserve and grow their long-term savings and investments.
We are a team of about 900 people based in 15 offices across the UK. Our geographic footprint means we can combine a local approach with face-to-face services to enable strong, long-term relationships with our clients.
Sustainability is fundamental to our purpose and we have a responsibility to help address the social, economic and environmental challenges facing our business, colleagues and clients. We strive to do the right thing and are dedicated to helping the charities that matter most to our people.
Our vision is to develop an open and inclusive company that ensures everyone is valued, respected and included, so that in years to come our business will represent a diverse and inclusive workforce from the top down.
We look to recruit individuals from all different backgrounds. If this job is of interest to you but you do not meet every criteria then we encourage you still to apply as we are open to providing training opportunities. As an early adopter of hybrid working we are open to discussing all types of flexible working options, helping you to balance your work and home life.
The Benefits
Private medical
Discounted health checks
Stakeholder pension contribution
Cycle to work scheme
Gym discounts
Purchase additional holiday
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Operational Finance Manager 14 Months FTC in London employer: Close Brothers
Close Brothers is an exceptional employer that values diversity and inclusivity, offering a supportive work culture where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical care and gym discounts, Close Brothers fosters an environment where team members are encouraged to grow and excel in their careers while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Finance Manager 14 Months FTC in London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the ALFA lease management system and SAP General Ledger (FICO) if you haven't already. Even if you don't have direct experience, showing a willingness to learn these systems can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed and developed teams in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your mentoring made a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your Excel skills, particularly with formulas and pivot tables. Consider doing a quick online course or tutorial to ensure you're confident in handling large volumes of financial data.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Close Brothers and their approach to diversity and inclusion. Being able to speak about their values and how they resonate with you during your conversation can demonstrate your genuine interest in the company culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Operational Finance Manager 14 Months FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in finance roles, particularly any management experience. Emphasise your Excel skills and problem-solving abilities, as these are crucial for the Operational Finance Manager position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention how your background aligns with their values of diversity and inclusivity, and provide specific examples of how you've led teams or improved financial processes in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Clearly outline your proficiency with Excel, including any specific tools like pivot tables or data analysis functions. If you have experience with ALFA lease management systems or SAP, make sure to mention this as it could set you apart from other candidates.
Showcase Your Leadership Experience:Since the role involves mentoring a team, include examples of how you've successfully led and developed junior staff in the past. Discuss your approach to coaching and how you've inspired others to take responsibility for their professional growth.
How to prepare for a job interview at Close Brothers
✨Showcase Your Financial Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in finance roles, particularly any management experience. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed financial controls or led a team, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities of the Operational Finance Manager position.
✨Demonstrate Excel Proficiency
Since strong Excel skills are crucial for this role, be ready to talk about your experience with formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis tools. You might even want to prepare a few examples of how you've used Excel to analyse financial data or streamline processes in your past roles.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your analytical problem-solving skills. Think of instances where you've identified issues within financial processes and how you recommended solutions. This will show your ability to improve financial operations, which is key for this role.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Team Development
As a potential line manager, it's important to convey your leadership style and how you motivate and develop your team. Prepare to discuss your approach to mentoring junior staff and how you've helped them grow professionally, as this is a significant aspect of the job.
