At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and manage financial models to guide business decisions and strategies.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking finance team in a dynamic environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team that values innovation and insight.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance with your analytical skills and insights.
- Qualifications: Qualified or part-qualified accountant with strong Excel modelling skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
An FP&A Analyst — Financial Planning and Analysis Analyst — is a finance professional whose primary responsibility is to produce the financial modelling, planning, forecasting and analysis that enables a business’s management team to make better commercial decisions. The FP&A Analyst sits within the FP&A function, which is distinct from the financial reporting and accounting function in its forward‐looking orientation.
The role has grown in prominence as businesses have recognised that the finance function’s most valuable contribution is not in recording the past accurately but in shaping the future intelligently. FP&A Analysts are the professionals who build and maintain the financial models that translate business strategy into numbers—the budget model that sets the annual financial plan, the rolling forecast that updates the business’s expectations through the year, the scenario model that quantifies the financial impact of a potential acquisition or market entry, and the investment appraisal model that supports a capex decision.
In smaller businesses the FP&A Analyst may be the only dedicated planning and analysis professional in the finance function, working directly with the CFO or Finance Director. In larger businesses the FP&A Analyst is part of a team with an FP&A Manager or Head of FP&A above them and sometimes FP&A Directors at the most senior level. The common factor across all contexts is the analytical orientation—the FP&A Analyst’s measure is the quality of the insight they generate, not the volume of transactions they process.
Core responsibilities
- Maintain and develop the business’s integrated financial model, ensuring it accurately reflects the current understanding of revenue drivers, cost structure and cash flow dynamics.
- Update the rolling forecast each month with actuals from the management accounts and refreshed forward assumptions, producing a revised full‑year view for the CFO and management team.
- Lead or support the annual budget process—building templates, coordinating departmental input, consolidating submissions and producing the board‑ready budget pack.
- Prepare the monthly variance analysis report, providing clear commercial commentary on the drivers of over and under performance against budget and prior year.
Commercial analysis
- Build financial models to support specific business decisions—investment appraisals, pricing analysis, new market entry modelling, acquisition target analysis and scenario modelling for strategic options.
- Work with the commercial team to develop and maintain the sales pipeline model, translating commercial activity into revenue forecasts.
- Develop the unit economics model for new products or business lines, tracking CAC, LTV, payback period and gross margin at the product and customer cohort level.
Reporting and dashboards
- Own the KPI dashboard—ensuring metrics are defined, calculated consistently and updated accurately each month.
- Prepare the financial sections of the investor or board reporting pack, including management accounts commentary, KPI analysis and the forward outlook.
- Develop and maintain data pipelines that automate the flow of financial data from the accounting system into the planning model and reporting dashboards, reducing manual rekeying and improving reporting speed.
Qualifications and experience required
- Qualified or part‑qualified accountant—CIMA, ACCA or ACA preferred.
- Strong Excel modelling skills—ability to build clean, structured, multi‑scenario financial models from scratch.
- Experience of the full FP&A cycle including budgeting, rolling forecasting and variance analysis.
- Commercial curiosity—genuine interest in understanding the business drivers behind the numbers and using financial analysis to support better decisions.
- Clear communication skills—ability to present complex financial information to non‑finance audiences in a clear and accessible way.
- Experience of a dedicated planning platform (Adaptive Insights, Anaplan, Vena, Planful or equivalent) is advantageous but not essential for analyst‑level appointments.
FP&A Analyst Tools and Systems
- Excel remains the dominant tool for FP&A Analysts in UK businesses, particularly at smaller scales where the complexity and cost of dedicated planning platforms is disproportionate.
- Dedicated planning platforms are increasingly common in growth‑stage and mid‑market businesses.
- Business intelligence tools—Power BI, Tableau and Looker most commonly—are increasingly part of the FP&A Analyst’s toolkit.
- ERP systems—NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Sage—are the source of the financial data that feeds the FP&A model.
FP&A Analyst employer: FD Capital
As an FP&A Analyst at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that values analytical insight and strategic decision-making. We offer competitive benefits, a collaborative culture that encourages professional growth, and opportunities to work with cutting-edge financial modelling tools. Located in a vibrant area, our workplace fosters innovation and teamwork, making it an ideal setting for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FP&A Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in FP&A. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio of financial models or analyses you've done in the past. When you get an interview, bring it along to demonstrate your expertise and how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get comfortable with common FP&A scenarios and questions. Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you articulate your thought process and showcase your analytical skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic FP&A Analyst roles waiting for you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace FP&A Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the FP&A Analyst role. Highlight your financial modelling skills and any relevant experience in budgeting and forecasting. We want to see how your background aligns with what we do at StudySmarter!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about FP&A and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any specific tools or systems you’re familiar with that could benefit us.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:As an FP&A Analyst, analytical skills are key. In your application, provide examples of how you've used data to drive decisions or improve processes. We love seeing candidates who can think critically and creatively!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter family!
How to prepare for a job interview at FD Capital
✨Know Your Financial Models
As an FP&A Analyst, you'll be expected to build and maintain financial models. Brush up on your Excel skills and be ready to discuss how you've created structured, multi-scenario models in the past. Be prepared to explain your thought process behind the assumptions you make.
✨Understand the Business Drivers
Show genuine curiosity about the business's financial drivers. Research the company’s recent performance and be ready to discuss how different decisions could impact their financial outlook. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and commercial awareness.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to present complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders. Practice explaining your previous analyses in simple terms. Use examples from your experience where you successfully communicated insights that influenced decision-making.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools
While Excel is key, being aware of dedicated planning platforms like Adaptive Insights or Anaplan can set you apart. If you have experience with any BI tools like Power BI or Tableau, mention it! Highlighting your tech-savviness can show you're ready to hit the ground running.
