At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial analysis and reporting to drive strategic decisions.
- Company: Join a high-growth, Private Equity-backed business in Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, competitive salary, and bonus potential.
- Other info: Opportunity for visibility across senior leadership and commercial teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a transformative environment with career progression.
- Qualifications: Experience in FP&A, strong Excel skills, and stakeholder management required.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
We are working with a high-growth, Private Equity-backed business with ambitious plans for the next phase of commercial and operational scale. As a Senior Finance Analyst, you will play a pivotal role in providing strategic financial insight, owning critical reporting processes, and partnering closely with Commercial Finance to influence performance at the highest level.
This isn’t a back-office reporting role; it’s a commercial-facing, hands-on opportunity to truly drive change, improve forecasting accuracy, and support decision-making across the business.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Take the lead on preparing monthly Board and Lender Packs working with Commercial Finance to analyse performance drivers, variances and actionable insights.
- Lead end-to-end WIP and Debt reporting for the Senior Leadership Team understanding trends, pinpointing deviations from target, and improving processes in collaboration with commercial stakeholders.
- Oversee the cash receipts forecasting cycle — working closely with Treasury to provide detailed analysis and proactive recommendations to support liquidity management.
- Own the Financial Operating Model (Excel-based) for Balance Sheet and Cash Flow forecasting, budgeting, and long-term (5-year) planning.
- Collaborate with Group Finance to develop effective working capital reporting — owning the feedback loop and improving forecast accuracy.
- Support covenant compliance reporting, including the forecasting of leverage ratios.
- Be a key player in the annual Budgeting and Forecasting cycles — across P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash.
- Work cross-functionally across Group, Commercial, Treasury, and Transactional Finance.
What You’ll Need:
- A background in FP&A, Commercial or Group Finance.
- Strong Excel modelling skills comfortable owning a complex Financial Model.
- Experience in cash flow forecasting and working capital analysis.
- Excellent stakeholder skills particularly with non-finance and commercial teams.
- Exposure to PE-backed environments is a strong advantage (but not essential).
Why Join?
- Huge opportunity to add value and build your profile in a high-growth, PE environment.
- High visibility across senior leadership and commercial teams.
- Work for a business that’s not just growing but transforming.
- Career progression, leadership responsibility, and genuine impact on the numbers that matter.
Financial Planning Analyst in Manchester employer: Forge Talent
Join a dynamic and high-growth Private Equity-backed business in Manchester, where as a Senior Financial Planning Analyst, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on strategic financial decisions. With a culture that promotes collaboration and innovation, you will work closely with senior leadership and commercial teams, gaining visibility and driving change in a hands-on role. The company offers excellent career progression opportunities, a supportive work environment, and the chance to be part of a transformative journey in the finance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Planning Analyst in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Forge Talent. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Forge Talent.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Forge Talent. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Planning Analyst in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Forge Talent and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Forge Talent how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forge Talent
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Forge Talent.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Forge Talent's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
