At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide financial insights and support strategic decisions for a leading rail company.
- Company: Join one of the UK's busiest and award-winning rail companies.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, healthcare, and free travel perks.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Be a trusted advisor and make a real impact on business performance.
- Qualifications: ACCA/CIMA/ACA qualified with experience in finance and stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
GTR are recruiting a Finance Business Partner based out of Monument Place. This is a great opportunity for an individual with a proven track record to work for one of the country's busiest and award-winning rail companies.
Purpose of role:
Provide high-quality annual business plan, forecast, period end reporting and analysis within a defined area of the business ensuring that relevant execs, directors and managers have timely, accurate and appropriate financial information and insights to deliver financial objectives and support business decision-making. Under the NRC contract this is an important role to ensure cost budget and revenue targets are delivered and performance-based fee (PBF) is maximised through end-to-end management of the financials for the defined accountable business area. The Finance Business Partner will be sought out by the business as an internal trusted advisor/consultant for critical business decisions. Support the Senior FBPs in providing critical challenge to drive down subsidy and to support GTR in delivering the 'Spend Wisely and Work Smarter' Strategy. A trusted critical friend to budget holders and directors.
Key Accountabilities:
- Production and maintenance of accurate forecasts and business plans to meet the annual budget target and NRC requirements within a defined business area.
- Preparation of periodic end journals within defined timetable for business areas with a high level of accuracy and strong auditable supporting evidence and ensure costs/income are recognised according to accounting standards.
- Produce clear and concise financial review packs highlighting material variances and causes and proactively work with business areas to identify financial risks and opportunities and track mitigation plans.
- Present within the periodic financial review meetings and provide insights and financial guidance to the discussions to support effective decision making.
- Work actively, in collaboration with budget holders and directors, becoming a critical friend and focusing on driving efficiencies.
- Develop strong relationships with directors and budget holders to collaborate on delivery of key outputs, annual business plan and strategic objectives.
- Liaise with budget holders to identify/recommend and report cost efficiency initiations within their business activities as part of PBF evidence to DfT.
- Supports the financial audit for queries related to your specific business area.
- Providing financial inputs, support and governance within key processes across the business (e.g. supply chain, projects).
Knowledge:
- Management Accounting: Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost control.
- Financial Reporting & Analysis: Ability to interpret financial statements, KPIs, and performance metrics.
- Business Acumen: Understanding of the industry, commercial drivers, and strategic priorities of the business.
- Finance Systems: Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Netsuite), Excel, and BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
- Regulatory & Compliance Awareness: General understanding of accounting standards and relevant financial governance.
Skills:
- Stakeholder Management: Confident working with senior non-finance stakeholders, challenging decisions constructively, and influencing outcomes.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret data, draw insights, and support strategic decisions with financial evidence.
- Communication Skills: Clear, concise communication able to explain financial concepts to non-financial teams.
- Problem-Solving: Proactive mindset to identify financial risks/opportunities and suggest actions.
- Commercial Awareness: Ability to link financial analysis to operational performance and market trends.
- Project Support: Partnering on business cases, investments, cost-saving initiatives, and strategic planning.
Experience:
- ACCA / CIMA / ACA (or international equivalent) qualified.
- Ideally experience in a rail sector.
- Experience in a Business Partnering Role: Proven track record of partnering with non-finance teams (e.g., operations, marketing, supply chain).
- Budgeting and Forecasting: Experience preparing and presenting budgets, reforecasts, and long-range plans.
- Change or Transformation Projects (optional but valued): Experience contributing to finance transformation, system implementation, or process improvement.
What we can offer you:
- Final salary pension.
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Healthcare.
- Free travel on GTR and sister groups for you and your family.
- 75% off travel on other train operating companies for you, and leisure for your family.
- Discounted Oyster Card.
- GTR offers maternity, paternity and adoption leave and time off for prenatal care, as well as shared parental leave - all part of our commitment to family friendly policies.
- StarHub our great benefits package which, for example, includes discounts with many retailers.
Finance Business Partner (3564) employer: GTR
GTR is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at Monument Place where finance professionals can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive benefits including a final salary pension, generous holiday allowance, and family-friendly policies, GTR fosters a culture of collaboration and support, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the rail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner (3564)
✨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 GTR. 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.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner (3564)
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 GTR.
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 GTR'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 GTR
✨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 GTR.
✨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 GTR 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 GTR 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.
