At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial forecasting and analysis to drive impactful business decisions.
- Company: CloudFactory, a mission-driven tech company focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, personal development opportunities, and a vibrant team culture.
- Other info: Join a global movement that connects people and technology for a better world.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with cutting-edge technology in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in finance, strong modelling skills, and a passion for technology.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Our Culture
At CloudFactory, we believe in building a workplace where everyone feels empowered, valued, and inspired to bring their authentic selves to work. We are:
- Mission-Driven: We focus on creating economic and social impact.
- People-Centric: We care deeply about our team’s growth, well-being, and sense of belonging.
- Innovative: We embrace change and find better ways to do things together.
- Globally Connected: We foster collaboration between diverse cultures and perspectives.
If you’re passionate about innovation, collaboration, and making a real impact, we’d love to have you on board!
About the Role
CloudFactory is looking for a Senior Financial Analyst who enjoys moving between modelling and serving as the embedded finance business partner for our Operations and Technology orgs. You will report to the Sr. FPA Manager and work closely with the CFO in a private equity-backed environment where pace, rigor, and accountability are the norm.
Responsibilities
- Architect of the Company-wide rolling forecast.
- Collaborate with Finance Leadership on building and maintaining the consolidated financial forecast (P&L, Cash, Headcount Planning).
- Prepare executive-ready reporting packages (P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow) that highlight key performance drivers and risks to the annual plan.
- Conduct deep-dive variance analysis (Actual vs. Forecast vs. Budget) and trend analyses to provide leadership with actionable insights into margin fluctuations and OpEx spending.
- Develop scenario and sensitivity analyses to stress-test assumptions around growth, client concentration, margin, and hiring.
- Assist in producing the financial narrative and supporting materials for board meetings, investor updates, and leadership reviews.
- Assist with the fiscal year planning and own the long-range models.
- Act as the team's subject matter expert on Abacum, owning model structure, data integrations, driver logic, and new use cases.
- Serve as the go-to resource for other FP&A team members working in the tool.
- Finance business partner to SLT and Management.
- Partner with cross-functional partners and leadership on forecasts, budgets, margin improvement plans, workforce planning, capacity models, and operating cost structure that sits underneath Delivery and S&T.
- Partner with the engineering leadership on the technology budget, platform costs including cloud and infrastructure spend, SaaS and tooling, and capitalized vs expensed effort.
- Translate operational metrics into financial impact and vice versa, so operations leaders can see the P&L consequences of staffing, tech efficiency, and other delivery decisions.
- Review operating expense budgets, flag risks and opportunities.
- Support client and workstream-level reviews by pairing margin analysis (led by the workstream analyst) with the broader operations cost picture.
What We Are Looking For
- 3+ years of experience in FP&A, corporate finance, or strategic finance experience, ideally in a SaaS, or tech-enabled services company.
- Strong three-statement modeling skills and a track record of owning a consolidated forecast or a meaningful slice of one.
- Comfortable with operational and engineering cost drivers and working with SLT: you do not need to have been a COO or CTO partner before, but you should be energized by the prospect.
- Excellent Excel / Google Sheets skills. Experience with business intelligence software is a plus.
- Adept at using AI to avoid complexity in models.
- Hands-on experience with forecasting tools is strongly preferred. Candidates without direct Abacum experience should have deep proficiency in a comparable planning tool (Anaplan, Pigment, Adaptive, Cube, or similar) and the appetite to become our internal subject matter expert on Abacum quickly.
- A communication style that works with both finance and non-finance audiences. Ability to tell a clear, concise financial story to executives and also non-financial people.
- Proactive and can infer the finance leadership’s intent and progress confidently with low supervision.
Mindset & Skills
- Critical and analytical thinker: you solve problems, challenge assumptions, connect patterns across data sets, and bring structure to ambiguity.
- Advanced financial modeling skills and experience building integrated three-statement models.
- Technology-forward: genuine enthusiasm for AI, automation, and modern finance tooling, with a track record of reducing manual work and improving output quality.
- Commitment to accuracy: You care about getting the numbers right and building processes that make precision the default, not the exception.
- Strong communicator: ability to translate financial complexity into clear, actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.
- Comfortable in a hands-on role within a fast-growing, PE-backed business where pace and accountability matter.
Benefits
- Great Mission and Culture.
- Meaningful Work.
- Market competitive salary.
- Quarterly variable compensation.
- Comprehensive medical cover.
- Group life insurance.
- Personal development and growth opportunities.
- Periodic team building and social events.
At CloudFactory, we believe that work should be more than just a job—it should be a platform for growth, impact, and community. Here, you’ll earn with purpose, learn every day, and serve a mission that truly matters. If you're looking for a career where you can develop professionally, contribute meaningfully, and be part of a global movement, we’d love to have you on this journey! Join us today and be part of our mission to connect people and technology for a better world!
Principal Financial Analyst in Reading employer: CloudFactory
At CloudFactory, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive both personally and professionally. With a strong focus on meaningful work, competitive compensation, and opportunities for growth, we encourage innovation and collaboration in a dynamic environment. Join us in our mission-driven approach to connect people and technology, where your contributions will make a real impact in a globally connected team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Financial Analyst in Reading
✨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 CloudFactory. 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 Principal Financial Analyst in Reading
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 CloudFactory.
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 CloudFactory'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 CloudFactory
✨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 CloudFactory.
✨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 CloudFactory 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 CloudFactory 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.
