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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse financial data, create reports, and support budgeting processes.
- Company: Join a dynamic finance team in Salford, driving cost efficiency and strategic decisions.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in financial performance while developing your analytical skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong Excel skills and experience with large datasets; degree in Finance or related field preferred.
- Other info: Ideal for self-starters who thrive under pressure and seek continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid/Manchester
Salary: £30-40k
Role Overview
We are looking for a Finance Analyst to join a dynamic cost finance function and play a key role in providing clear, actionable analysis and insight across a large and complex cost base. You will partner with senior stakeholders to support financial performance, identify cost efficiencies, and influence strategic investment decisions. This role is ideal for a data-driven professional with strong Excel skills, experience working with large datasets and who is calm under pressure.
Key Responsibilities
- Business Performance & Analysis
- Deliver high-quality cost reports, rolling forecasts, and variance analysis with clear narrative.
- Support month-end close including journal review, accruals, and cost investigation.
- Identify and validate cost-saving opportunities, supporting business case development.
- Track delivery of financial benefits and use KPIs to monitor cost performance.
- Contribute to budgeting and forecasting cycles for both staff and non-staff costs.
- Build effective relationships with business leaders as a trusted financial partner.
- Present data-driven insights to support operational and strategic decision-making.
- Promote ownership and accountability for cost performance across business areas.
- Maintain and enhance financial planning models (Anaplan preferred; TM1 useful).
- Perform regular checks and audits to ensure strong model governance and data quality.
- Support improvements in internal reporting and business intelligence processes.
- Drive enhancements in automation, accuracy, and insight across cost reporting.
- Provide modelling support across areas such as payroll coding and marketing campaigns (e.g. PPC, direct mail).
- Bring a calm-under-pressure mindset with a strong focus on continuous learning.
About You
Essential
- Strong numerical and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Proficient in Excel and confident handling large, complex datasets.
- Comfortable with error-spotting and working in data-heavy environments.
- Experience with month-end, budgeting and forecasting processes.
- Strong communicator, capable of turning complex analysis into clear, actionable insight.
- Self-starter, collaborative and able to manage multiple priorities.
Desirable
- Experience with Anaplan or TM1 financial planning systems.
- Familiarity with payroll processes and cost centre coding.
- Understanding of marketing expenditure (e.g. pay-per-click, direct mail).
- Degree-qualified in Finance, Economics, or a related field.
Finance Analyst in Salford employer: Gerrard White
Contact Detail:
Gerrard White Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Analyst in Salford
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Anaplan or TM1, as these are preferred tools for the role. Consider taking online courses or tutorials to boost your confidence and demonstrate your commitment to mastering these systems.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the finance sector, especially those who work in cost analysis or financial planning. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to gain insights and potentially get referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've identified cost efficiencies in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in financial analysis and reporting. Subscribe to finance-related newsletters or podcasts to gather insights that you can share during your interview, showcasing your passion for continuous improvement.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Analyst in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your numerical and analytical skills, as well as your proficiency in Excel. Include specific examples of how you've handled large datasets and contributed to month-end processes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your experience with financial analysis and stakeholder engagement. Mention any relevant tools like Anaplan or TM1 that you are familiar with, and explain how you can contribute to the company's cost finance function.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work experience, focus on roles where you delivered cost reports, supported budgeting cycles, or identified cost-saving opportunities. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improvements in financial performance or efficiency.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about how you would explain complex financial concepts in simple terms, as this role requires strong communication skills. Be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving in data-heavy environments and how you manage multiple priorities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gerrard White
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used your analytical skills in previous roles. Be ready to explain how you approached complex datasets and the insights you derived from them, as this is crucial for a Finance Analyst position.
✨Demonstrate Excel Proficiency
Since strong Excel skills are essential for this role, consider preparing a brief demonstration or discussing advanced functions you've used. Highlight any experience with data manipulation, pivot tables, or financial modelling to impress your interviewers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about times when you've successfully built relationships with stakeholders. Be prepared to share how you communicated complex financial information clearly and how you influenced decision-making processes in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement Mindset
Discuss your approach to continuous improvement and how you've driven enhancements in past positions. Share examples of how you've automated processes or improved reporting accuracy, as this aligns well with the company's focus on operational excellence.
