At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial reporting and analysis for technology operations and indirect costs.
- Company: Dynamic publishing company focused on technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and work in a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Join a team that values growth and offers exposure to diverse financial challenges.
- Why this job: Perfect opportunity to enhance your finance skills while working with tech teams.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified accountant with experience in FP&A or management accounting.
The predicted salary is between 46688 - 57063 £ per year.
The Finance Analyst - Technology & Indirect Costs Support will provide analytical and reporting support to the Senior Finance Business Partner covering technology operations and indirect cost base. This is an excellent opportunity for a part-qualified finance professional to develop their FP&A and business partnering skills in a dynamic publishing environment, working closely with Technology, IT, and Operations teams and gaining exposure to diverse cost structures including technology investment analysis, software licensing management, cloud services, IT infrastructure costs, and indirect cost management across facilities, professional services, and corporate overheads.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Reporting: Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts, variance analysis, and financial reports for technology cost centres (including software licences, cloud services, IT infrastructure, and digital platforms) and indirect costs, highlighting key trends and variances for stakeholder review.
- Budget & Forecast Support: Support the annual budgeting process and monthly forecasting cycles by gathering data from Technology, IT, and operational teams, preparing detailed cost centre budgets, and maintaining forecast models across all technology and indirect cost lines.
- Data Analysis: Conduct detailed analysis of technology costs (software subscriptions, cloud services, infrastructure spend, digital platform costs), facilities expenses, professional services fees, and corporate overheads, identifying trends, anomalies, and opportunities for cost savings or efficiency improvements.
- Performance Metrics: Maintain and report on key performance indicators including technology spend efficiency, cost per user, platform utilisation rates, software licence optimisation, cloud service consumption, and indirect cost management metrics, providing regular updates to the Senior Finance Business Partner.
- Variance Analysis: Prepare detailed variance analysis comparing actual costs to budget and forecast, investigating significant variances and working with Technology and operational teams to understand drivers and develop explanations.
- Cost Tracking: Monitor and track costs across technology projects, software implementations, cloud migrations, infrastructure upgrades, and indirect cost centres, ensuring accurate cost capture and allocation in the financial systems.
- Technology Investment Analysis: Support the analysis of technology investment business cases, including ROI calculations, benefit tracking, and post-implementation reviews, providing data to support decision-making on new platforms, system upgrades, and digital tools.
- Vendor & Contract Analysis: Support the analysis of technology vendor performance, software licensing arrangements, cloud service provider costs, and service contracts, providing data to support procurement negotiations and contract reviews.
- Indirect Cost Allocation: Assist with the allocation and reporting of indirect costs across the business, supporting transparent cost distribution methodologies and accurate product and customer profitability analysis.
- System & Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting processes, automate routine tasks, and enhance the quality and timeliness of financial information related to technology and indirect costs.
- Ad Hoc Analysis: Respond to ad hoc requests for financial analysis and business case support from the Senior Finance Business Partner and Technology/operational stakeholders, developing analytical skills across diverse topics including digital transformation initiatives.
Required Qualifications
- Education Requirements: Part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) - Essential. Actively studying towards full qualification with clear progression plan.
- Professional Experience: Demonstrable experience in FP&A, commercial finance, management accounting, or business partnering roles. Experience with financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, or cost analysis. Exposure to working with operational or non-finance teams (desirable). Experience in technology finance, IT cost management, or indirect cost analysis (desirable but not essential).
- Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, formulas, data analysis). Working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar). Familiarity with financial reporting and data visualisation tools (Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent) - desirable. Understanding of management accounting principles including cost allocation, variance analysis, and accruals. Strong numerical & analytical skills with high attention to detail.
- Industry Knowledge: Interest in or awareness of technology operations, digital transformation and IT infrastructure. Understanding of cost accounting and overhead allocation principles (desirable). Familiarity with SaaS, cloud services and software licensing models (desirable).
- Key Competencies and Skills: Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills.
Finance Analyst - Technology & Indirect Costs Support in Abingdon employer: Informagroupplc
As a Finance Analyst in our dynamic publishing environment, you will thrive in a culture that values collaboration and innovation, working closely with cross-functional teams to enhance your FP&A and business partnering skills. We offer a supportive atmosphere for part-qualified finance professionals, with ample opportunities for growth and development, alongside competitive benefits that promote work-life balance. Join us in a location that fosters creativity and engagement, making it an excellent place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Analyst - Technology & Indirect Costs Support in Abingdon
✨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 Informagroupplc. 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 Analyst - Technology & Indirect Costs Support in Abingdon
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 Informagroupplc.
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 Informagroupplc'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 Informagroupplc
✨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 Informagroupplc.
✨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 Informagroupplc 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 Informagroupplc 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.
