At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver insightful financial analysis to support key business decisions.
- Company: Established organisation in Leicester with a focus on collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by translating complex data into clear insights.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and advanced Excel capabilities required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 Β£ per year.
An established organisation is seeking a Finance Analyst to support the Finance function by delivering accurate, timely, and insightful financial analysis to support business decision-making. The role focuses on management reporting, cost analysis, KPI dashboards, and data analytics, working closely with Finance, Operations, and Production teams. It is well suited to someone with a strong analytical mindset who enjoys working with ERP-derived data and translating complex information into clear commercial insight.
Responsibilities
- Financial Analysis & Reporting: Assist in the production of monthly management accounts, including variance analysis and commentary. Prepare and analyse cost of goods sold (COGS) and margin information for month-end reporting. Perform detailed cost analysis, including product costing, job costing, and investigation of variances. Support the Financial Controller with financial analysis, periodic returns, and audit requirements.
- Costing, WIP & Operational Insight: Analyse costing data from the ERP system to ensure accuracy, completeness, and integrity. Liaise with Production and Operations teams to establish accurate work-in-progress (WIP) figures. Maintain costing data throughout the month to support timely reporting and forecasting. Investigate anomalies and discrepancies in operational and financial data, providing clear explanations and recommendations.
- Data, Analytics & KPI Reporting: Design, build, and maintain Excel-based reports and KPI dashboards to support financial and operational decision-making. Extract and manipulate data from ERP and other business systems using Excel, SQL, and Power Query. Produce regular reporting, including weekly sales and orders, reconciling operational data to the general ledger. Improve the automation, reliability, and presentation of management information and analytics.
- Business Partnering & Continuous Improvement: Work closely with stakeholders across the business to understand reporting requirements and provide analytical support. Contribute to improvements in data quality, reporting processes, and financial controls. Support ad-hoc analysis and project work within the Finance team as required.
Skills & Experience
- Essential: Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy. Advanced Excel capability, including pivot tables, formulas, and data handling. Experience analysing financial and operational data within a manufacturing or similar environment. Ability to interpret ERP system data and translate it into meaningful commercial insight. Confident communicator, able to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
- Desirable: Experience using SQL / T-SQL for data extraction and analysis. Practical use of Power Query or similar data transformation tools. Costing or management accounting experience within a production environment. Exposure to KPI development, dashboarding, or business intelligence reporting.
Personal Attributes
- Curious, proactive, and improvement-focused.
- Highly organised, able to manage multiple analytical tasks concurrently.
- Comfortable working with large and complex datasets.
- Commercially minded with a strong problem-solving approach.
Finance Analyst employer: H2O Recruitment & Training Services Ltd
Contact Detail:
H2O Recruitment & Training Services Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Finance Analyst
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance industry, especially those working in roles similar to the Finance Analyst position. Attend industry events or webinars, and donβt be shy about asking for informational interviews β you never know where a casual chat might lead!
β¨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your analytical projects, Excel dashboards, or any relevant data analysis work. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the crowd.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial analysis knowledge and ERP systems. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. Practising common interview questions can also help you feel more confident when itβs your turn to shine!
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Weβve got loads of opportunities that could be perfect for you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Analyst
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Analyst role. Highlight your analytical skills and experience with ERP systems, as well as any relevant financial analysis you've done. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about finance and how your skills align with our needs. Don't forget to mention your experience with data analytics and reporting β that's music to our ears!
Showcase Your Excel Skills: Since advanced Excel skills are essential for this role, make sure to mention any specific projects or tasks where you've used pivot tables, formulas, or data handling. We love seeing real examples of your expertise in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it's super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at H2O Recruitment & Training Services Ltd
β¨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key financial concepts and metrics relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how youβve used data analysis in previous positions, especially in relation to COGS and margin information. This will show your analytical mindset and ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
β¨Excel Like a Pro
Since advanced Excel skills are essential for this role, make sure you can confidently demonstrate your proficiency. Practice using pivot tables, formulas, and data manipulation techniques. If possible, bring examples of reports or dashboards you've created to showcase your capabilities.
β¨Communicate Clearly
Youβll need to explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders, so practice articulating complex concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where you successfully communicated financial insights to different teams, and be ready to share these during the interview.
β¨Show Your Curiosity
Demonstrate your proactive nature by asking insightful questions about the companyβs financial processes and challenges. This not only shows your interest in the role but also highlights your improvement-focused mindset, which is crucial for a Finance Analyst.