Commercial Finance Business Partner
About the role
Our Head Office department is in the heart of Piccadilly and occupies the 5th & 6th floor of our beautiful flagship store.
This central London location offers so much to explore including restaurants, bars, cultural sites, shopping and more, and only a short walk from the Green Park Tube Station and plenty of bus stops.
This role is a pivotal part of the Commercial Finance function, with responsibility for running core FP&A processes, producing high‑quality analysis, and partnering with multiple stakeholders across the business.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of FP&A, Buying & Merchandising, Wholesale, IT, and Head Office functions, as well as supporting the Exec Portfolio review process.
The role is well‑suited to someone analytically strong, highly proficient in Excel, comfortable with complexity, and energised by cross‑functional business partnering.
- Key Accountabilities
- Support the monthly Portfolio Review* with the Executive Team, where strategic and capital projects are assessed and approved.
- Prepare analysis, business cases, and tracking to support decision‑making.
- Maintain accurate Capital Spend Tracking*, ensuring visibility of actuals, commitments, and forecast cashflow across all projects
- Implement and deliver post‑investment reviews*, evaluating project outcomes versus original business cases, identifying learnings, and strengthening future investment decision‑making.
- Business Partnering
- Provide analysis and insight across wholesale performance, supporting the Wholesale Business Partner with reporting, forecasting, and commercial analysis.
- Work with the IT leadership team to understand cost drivers, challenge assumptions, and improve financial visibility.
- Own reporting, budgeting, and forecasting for central cost areas, ensuring clear cost control and actionable insight.
- Support the FP&A cycle, including forecasting, variance analysis, and insightful commentary.
- Support the creation and consolidation of the Monthly Board Pack, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and high‑quality storytelling.
- Support the annual Budget, Forecast, and Five‑Year Plan processes, working closely with senior Finance leadership and business units.
- Buying & Merchandising (B&M) – Margin & Inventory
- Partner with B&M to deliver robust weekly and monthly margin reporting.
- Analyse margin performance, stock positions, intake, and movements, identifying variances versus budget and last year.
- Support the continuous improvement and automation of margin and stock reporting.
- Tools, Systems, and Process Improvement
- Use advanced Excel skills to build and refine models, trackers, and analytical tools.
- Support improvements in reporting automation, data integrity, and process efficiency.
- Collaborate with BI and wider business to enhance reporting capability across the business.
- Role Specific Criteria (Experience/Behaviours/Technical Ability)
- ACCA, CIMA or ACA part-qualified
- Advanced Excel and Power Point skills
- Ability to develop data platforms and commercial reports
- Highest standards of accuracy and precision
- Highly organised, with an ability to multi task at speed
- Articulate with excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills
- Ability to think creatively, highly-driven and self‑motivated
- Use of Business Intelligence platform, such as Power BI (desired)
- Ability to manage objections and conflicts in an effective way (desired)
- Why Work For Us
- A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%
- 25 days holidays (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday
- A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum’s ingredients
- A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally
We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation.
We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.
In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards
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Your tasks
Support financial analysis and business partnering across various departments.
Your profile
Part-qualified ACCA, CIMA or ACA with advanced Excel skills.
What's also included
Enjoy up to 40% discount, 25 days holiday, and a subsidised staff restaurant.
Tech stack & ways of working
Commercial Finance Business Partner employer: Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the iconic setting of Piccadilly. With a commitment to employee growth and development, we provide ample opportunities for professional advancement alongside generous benefits such as a substantial discount and 25 days of holiday, making it a rewarding place to build your career in tax management.
Your perspectives
Make an impact in finance while collaborating with diverse teams in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
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 Fortnum & Mason. 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.
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 Fortnum & Mason.
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 Fortnum & Mason'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 Fortnum & Mason
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 Fortnum & Mason.
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 Fortnum & Mason 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 Fortnum & Mason 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.