At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis, driving insights for impactful decision-making.
- Company: Join a mission-driven team at CloudFactory, transforming data with AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, personal development, and a vibrant community culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and meaningful work.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while growing your career in a tech-forward environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in FP&A or corporate finance, strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Description
At Cloud Factory, we are a mission-driven team passionate about unlocking the potential of AI to transform the world.
By combining advanced technology with a global network of talented people, we make unusable data usable, driving real-world impact at scale.
More than just a workplace, we’re a global community founded on strong relationships and the belief that meaningful work transforms lives.
Our commitment to earning, learning, and serving fuels everything we do as we strive to connect one million people to meaningful work and build leaders worth following.
Our Culture
At Cloud Factory, 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
Cloud Factory is looking for a Financial Planning & Analysis Lead 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
- Owner of the monthly forecast-to-actual cycle and rolling forecast
- Run the monthly forecast-to-actual report following accounting close, comparing Actual vs. Forecast vs. Budget across revenue, margin, and Op Ex.
- Analyze the variances and identify the drivers behind them, translating the numbers into a clear narrative for leadership.
Prepare the monthly reporting package for the CFO and Sr.
FPA Manager, highlighting key performance drivers and risks.
- Collect rolling forecast inputs from functional owners across Delivery, Sales, R&D and Operations each month.
Input functional owner data into Abacum and roll it up into the consolidated rolling forecast.
- Present the rolled-up rolling forecast to the CFO and Sr.
FPA Manager, flagging changes versus the prior cycle.
Maintain the integrity of forecast and actuals data, troubleshooting model issues as they arise.
- Act as the finance business partner to the Delivery and wider Operations team, identifying efficiency and gross margin improvement opportunities.
- Represent Finance on solution governance calls, providing input on the pricing and margin implications of proposed deals and delivery solutions.
Partner with other FP&A team members on scenario and sensitivity analyses to stress-test assumptions around growth, margin, and hiring.
- Support Delivery leadership with ad hoc analysis on cost drivers, staffing, and margin levers.
Requirements
- What We Are Looking For
- 3+ years of experience in FP&A, corporate finance, or a related analytical role, ideally in a Saa S, or tech-enabled services company.
- Experience running a variance analysis or forecast-to-actual process, and consolidating inputs from multiple stakeholders into a single rolling forecast.
- Comfortable partnering with Delivery and Operations leaders on cost drivers, staffing, and margin levers, including in a pricing or deal-governance setting
- Excellent Excel / Google Sheets skills, with the ability to build and maintain reporting packages under a monthly deadline.
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 proficient in Abacum quickly.
- A communication style that works with both finance and non-finance audiences, and the confidence to represent Finance in a room of Delivery and Operations stakeholders.
- Proactive and able to chase down data from multiple functional owners each month without heavy oversight.
- Mindset & Skills
- Critical and analytical thinker: you solve problems, challenge assumptions, connect patterns across data sets, and bring structure to ambiguity.
- Strong financial modelling skills, with the discipline to keep a monthly reporting and rolling forecast cadence on track.
- 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, including in live governance and pricing discussions.
- Comfortable in a hands-on role within a fast-growing, PE-backed business where pace and accountability matter.
What to Expect During the Hiring Process
Our interview process is designed to give you a well-rounded view of the role while helping us understand your experience, problem-solving approach, and how you partner with the business.
Step 1: Recruiter Conversation (30 minutes)
Your first conversation will be with our Talent team.
We'll discuss your background, career goals, and interest in the role, while giving you a chance to learn more about Cloud Factory, our culture, and what success looks like in this position.
- Step 2: Technical & Business Partnership (45 minutes)
- Next, you'll meet with our
Senior FP&A Manager .
Expect a deeper discussion around your FP&A experience, financial modelling, forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, business partnering, and how you've supported strategic decision-making.
You'll also have the opportunity to discuss your approach to solving financial challenges and working with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Step 3: Strategic Finance Conversation (45 minutes)
- Your final interview will be with our
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) .
This conversation will focus on your commercial mindset, strategic thinking, communication style, and ability to influence business decisions through financial insights.
You'll also learn more about Cloud Factory's vision, growth journey, and the impact this role will have on the business.
We're looking for thoughtful conversations, not perfect answers.
This is just as much an opportunity for you to get to know us and determine whether Cloud Factory is the right fit for your next career move. 🙂
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 Cloud Factory, 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! Apply now and bring your whole, authentic self to work. We can’t wait to meet you!
Senior Financial Analyst employer: CloudFactory
CloudFactory is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, making it an ideal place for a Senior AI Platform Product Manager. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company offers numerous opportunities for professional advancement while working in a vibrant location that encourages creativity and teamwork. Employees benefit from engaging with enterprise clients and leading cross-functional teams, all within a supportive environment that values their contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial 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 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 Senior Financial Analyst
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.