At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial reporting and analysis while mentoring a dynamic finance team.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company in the real estate sector with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on innovation and process improvement.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by partnering with senior leadership to drive business performance.
- Qualifications: Experienced accountant with strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
The Senior Finance Business Partner is a key role within the operational finance team, sitting between the Finance Business Partner and the Financial Controller. The postholder provides day-to-day coordination, technical supervision and quality assurance across the Finance Business Partner team, while continuing to deliver high-quality business partnering, reporting and analysis in their own right.
The role carries greater responsibility than the Finance Business Partner role – in particular for reviewing the work of others, owning the consistency and quality of team outputs, and acting as a first point of escalation – but does not hold the full breadth of financial control, treasury, audit and team-leadership accountabilities of the Financial Controller. It is well suited to an accountant ready to take a step up into a more senior role.
The role is fast paced, encompassing a breadth of duties for which strong technical, organisational and interpersonal skills are required. The postholder must be a self-starter who works accurately and methodically, communicates effectively at all levels, and continually strives for process improvements that improve service delivery for the department and the wider organisation.
Key Responsibilities & Activities
- Management Accounts & Reporting
- Coordinate the production of monthly management accounts and Finance Packs across the team, ensuring outputs are accurate, consistent and delivered to the agreed reporting timetable.
- Carry out first-line review of Finance Business Partners’ reporting, variance analysis and reconciliations before submission to the Financial Controller.
- Provide in-depth variance analysis and clear commentary to support informed decision-making.
- Act as a point of escalation for the Business Partner team on technical and reporting queries.
- Team Involvement
- Provide support and guidance to the Finance Business Partners whilst acting as a point of reporting review across the reporting cycles.
- Monitor workload and progress to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met.
- Support the onboarding, mentoring and development of Finance Business Partners, sharing knowledge and good practice.
- Support the Financial Controller with input around objective-setting, performance feedback and development planning for the FBP team.
- Promote a collaborative, high-performing and supportive team environment.
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Coordinate and consolidate the team’s input into the annual budgeting and forecasting process, working with cross-functional teams to align financial goals with business objectives.
- Sense-check and challenge budget and forecast inputs for reasonableness and consistency.
- Support the Finance team in the delivery of budgets, reforecasts and cash flow projections.
- Business Partnering & Commercial Insight
- Act as a senior business partner to Operations, Regional and Residence teams and to Generation Partners, providing financial insight and guidance to optimise outcomes.
- Support the development of commercial strategies to enhance the financial performance of properties, evaluating trends and key drivers.
- Build an understanding of the business and translate financial information clearly for non-finance stakeholders.
- Data, Systems & Process Improvement
- Interrogate and analyse data to extract meaningful insights and produce timely, accurate reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
- Drive process, reporting and quality improvements across the Finance function, embedding consistent ways of working.
- Support finance systems and reporting development led by the Financial Controller, helping to implement and embed changes within the team.
- Quality & Controls
- Support consistent application of financial procedures, controls and quality standards across the team.
- Quality-control outputs, identifying and resolving errors and inconsistencies before sign-off.
- Escalate control weaknesses and process inefficiencies to the Financial Controller with recommendations for improvement.
- Stakeholder Support & Ad Hoc
- Deputise for the Financial Controller on defined reporting and business-partnering matters where required.
- Support ad hoc financial analysis, modelling, reporting and projects to meet the evolving needs of the business.
- Contribute to finance training for non-finance colleagues to improve financial awareness across the business.
Person Specification and Role Specific Skills and Abilities
- Education and Experience: An experienced accountant with relevant and comprehensive experience, particularly of reviewing, coordinating or supervising the work of others. Proven experience across both business partnering and traditional accounting. Familiarity with the UK real estate / PBSA sector is an advantage.
- IT: IT literate with advanced Excel skills. A working knowledge of Xero and Power BI would be an advantage.
- Leadership & Supervision: Able to coordinate, guide and develop a small team, set a positive example, and support colleagues to deliver to a high standard. Comfortable providing first-line review and constructive feedback.
- Teamwork: Excellent team player able to thrive in, and foster, a collaborative environment. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Customer Focus: Continually demonstrates enthusiasm and drive to “go the extra mile” coupled with strong client focus.
- Analytical Thinking: Strong problem-solver. Able to interpret complex financial data and trends.
- Results Focused & Commercial: Comfortable working to routine tasks and regular deadlines. Commercially minded, with the ability to align financial objectives with broader business goals.
- Planning & Organising: Demonstrates excellent prioritising and organisational skills. Manages own and others’ workload effectively against deadlines.
- Self-motivated and able to work without constant supervision.
- High attention to detail & Innovation: Able to manage change, deal with ambiguity and handle challenging situations effectively.
Reporting to: Financial Controller
Key Relationships: Financial Controller and Operational Finance Director, Head Office / Generation Partners Team, Finance Business Partners (coordination & support), Outsourced Third Party Finance Provider, Lead Asset Managers & Operations Management, Central Now Student Living team members.
Salary: 50000 - 55000 GBP (yearly)
Full-time
Senior Finance Business Partner employer: Gpl & Nsl
As a Senior Finance Business Partner in London, you will join a dynamic and supportive operational finance team that values collaboration and excellence. The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and professional development, offering ample opportunities for growth while ensuring a high standard of quality in financial reporting and business partnering. With a focus on employee well-being and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, this role provides a meaningful opportunity to make a significant impact within the organisation.
