Financial Analyst: Thales in Crawley

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Hybrid working arrangement: 3 days per week on site (based on full time hours)

We are looking for a qualified Financial Analyst to join the Thales UK Corporate Finance team. This role offers the opportunity to play a key part in maintaining strong financial control across the business, ensuring compliance with Group policies and accounting standards, and providing high‑quality financial analysis to support decision‑making. Working closely with senior finance leaders and colleagues across the UK, you’ll gain broad exposure and develop your career within a complex, international organisation.

What This Role Has to Offer

• A high‑impact role within the UK Corporate Finance team, working closely with senior finance leadership.
• Broad exposure to statutory reporting, financial control and technical accounting in a complex organisation.
• Opportunities to develop technical expertise across IFRS and Group reporting requirements.
• Collaboration with finance teams across the UK and internationally, supporting career development and mobility.
• A flexible working environment that supports work‑life balance and professional growth.

Core Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Performance‑related bonus.
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00.
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata).
• 24 hours volunteering paid for.
• Private healthcare.
• Pension scheme.
• Life cover.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app.
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers.
• Gym membership discounts.

Main Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed analysis of balance sheet and income statement accounts, investigating movements and accounting treatment.
• Support strong financial control by identifying, correcting and preventing errors in the general ledger.
• Review key reconciliations, including payroll and inter‑company balances across UK and non‑UK entities.
• Support external audit activity, ensuring timely delivery of information and implementation of control improvements.
• Contribute to internal and Group reporting, budgeting activity and ad‑hoc technical accounting projects.

Ideal Experience & Skills

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with post‑qualification experience in audit, financial reporting or analysis.
• Strong understanding of statutory reporting and accounting standards, including IFRS (particularly IFRS 15 and IFRS 16).
• Proven ability to analyse complex financial data and work confidently with ERP and reporting systems.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Good commercial awareness, strong Excel skills and confidence working collaboratively across teams.

Security Clearance Requirement

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all.