At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting for a dynamic European business.
- Company: Join a leading Japanese manufacturing company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Opportunity for occasional travel across Europe and to enhance your finance career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by providing financial insights that drive business success.
- Qualifications: Fluent in English and Japanese, with experience in FP&A and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
Company: Japanese manufacturing company
Location: Berkshire (hybrid work)
Salary: Depending on experience
The FP&A team plays a central role in analysing monthly financial results, coordinating budgeting and forecasting (both short- and long-term), and providing commercial finance decision support to the European business. The team supports both Head Office and regional stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of maximising profitability and improving budget accuracy across the organisation. This position supports the delivery of financial insights, budgeting and forecasting activities, monthly reporting, and ad‑hoc analysis for Head Office functions. The role also works closely with regional operations planning teams and acts as a liaison between operational stakeholders and the FP&A function. Due to frequent interaction with international stakeholders, strong business‑level English and Japanese are essential for this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Analysis of Actual Results
- Support the Department Manager in delivering timely and insightful performance analysis and reporting to senior stakeholders.
- Analyse divisional results for both Head Office functions and consolidated European operations, including revenue, cost structures, and balance sheet items.
- Collaborate with business teams to understand financial performance, identify improvement opportunities, and highlight key risks and issues.
- Work with the broader Finance team to ensure high data quality and consistency to support accurate analysis.
- Interpret financial results and translate them into actionable insights to support business decision‑making.
- Partner with business operations teams to identify root causes of performance issues and propose improvements.
- Contribute to the preparation and analysis of the Monthly Operating Report.
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Coordinate the European budgeting process in collaboration with FP&A and other finance teams, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Support Head Office indirect business functions in preparing annual budgets and forecasts.
- Monitor and communicate budget performance against agreed targets.
- Review SG&A budgets for quality, including phasing and level of detail, and critically challenge assumptions where appropriate.
- Support balance sheet budgeting, including loan and funding forecasts.
- Assist in the preparation of budget packs and presentations for leadership review.
- Work with the central FP&A team to produce final consolidated budget materials for the European region.
- Analyse previous budget variances to improve forecasting accuracy.
- Provide accounting guidance on the appropriate treatment of items within budgets.
- Promote the use of tools and methodologies to improve budget accuracy (e.g., activity‑based budgeting, risk and opportunity logs).
- Systems and Process Improvement
- Support the Department Manager in driving continuous improvement across forecasting, reporting and analysis processes.
- Enhance existing financial models and reporting structures, including automation initiatives and self‑service reporting where appropriate.
- Stay informed of best practices, industry trends, and regulatory developments in FP&A.
- Proactively recommend and support enhancements to FP&A systems and processes, including the use of digital and analytical tools.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
- Experience in FP&A, management reporting or commercial finance roles.
- Strong analytical mindset with a keen attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to non‑finance stakeholders.
- Fluent English and Japanese (spoken and written) at business level.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) are highly desirable.
- Qualified accountant (CIMA / ACCA / ACA) preferred but not essential.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Well organised, flexible, and collaborative team player.
- Comfortable working with stakeholders across Europe and bridging the finance / non‑finance gap.
- Proven experience in driving process improvements, particularly within FP&A.
- Pan‑European experience is advantageous.
- Interest in industry, products, or commercial operations is a plus.
- Curiosity and willingness to explore new technologies supporting FP&A activities (e.g., Power BI, Power Query, RPA, AI).
- Occasional European travel may be required.
(Japanese Speaking) Financial Planning & Analysis Lead in London employer: JAC Recruitment (UK) Ltd.
Join a leading Japanese manufacturing company in Berkshire as a Financial Planning & Analysis Lead, where you will thrive in a dynamic hybrid work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, the company offers extensive training opportunities and encourages continuous improvement, ensuring that you can develop your skills while contributing to impactful financial insights that drive business success. Experience a supportive work culture that values diversity and promotes meaningful engagement with international stakeholders, making it an excellent place for professionals seeking rewarding careers in finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land (Japanese Speaking) Financial Planning & Analysis Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the finance industry, especially those who have experience in FP&A roles. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial analysis skills and understanding the latest trends in FP&A. Be ready to discuss how you can improve budgeting accuracy and provide actionable insights, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your language skills! Since this role requires fluency in both English and Japanese, be sure to highlight your proficiency during interviews. Practice explaining financial concepts in both languages to demonstrate your communication skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace (Japanese Speaking) Financial Planning & Analysis Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Planning & Analysis Lead role. Highlight your experience in FP&A, budgeting, and forecasting, and don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills. 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 the perfect fit for this role. Mention your fluency in English and Japanese, and how your previous experiences align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Let us know what excites you about working with us!
Showcase Your Analytical Mindset:In your application, be sure to highlight specific examples of how you've used your analytical skills to drive improvements in past roles. We love candidates who can turn data into actionable insights, so share those success stories with us!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at JAC Recruitment (UK) Ltd.
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial analysis skills. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've analysed financial results in the past, and how those insights led to actionable decisions. This role is all about maximising profitability, so show them you can do just that!
✨Master the Language
Since this position requires fluency in both English and Japanese, practice discussing financial concepts in both languages. You might be asked to explain complex ideas to non-finance stakeholders, so being able to switch between languages smoothly will definitely impress them.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role involves working closely with various teams, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any experience you have in bridging the gap between finance and non-finance teams, as this will be crucial for the position.
✨Be Ready for Process Improvement Discussions
The company is looking for someone who can drive continuous improvement in FP&A processes. Think of specific instances where you've enhanced reporting structures or implemented new tools. Be prepared to discuss how these changes improved efficiency or accuracy in your previous roles.
