At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse financial data and partner with teams to drive smart business decisions.
- Company: Join an award-winning big-five publisher in a dynamic finance team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and generous leave policy.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance with AI tools and impactful insights.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 61000 £ per year.
Department: Finance
Contract: Full-time, 9-month fixed-term contract (to commence at the end of August)
Are you a qualified accountant looking for a role where you can combine strong financial analysis with the opportunity to shape how AI transforms finance? We are seeking a reliable Finance Analyst to work alongside our Finance Manager and commercial stakeholders. You will be responsible for managing promotional and marketing accounting, partnering with Sales and Marketing teams and delivering meaningful financial insight that supports better business decisions. You will be instrumental in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of budgets for our financial planning. If you are detail-oriented, ready for hands-on responsibility and enjoy improving processes, we encourage you to apply.
Your team: This is an exciting opportunity to join an award-winning big-five publisher in a fast-paced, dynamic and supportive finance team. The Finance team works with each department in the business on budgeting and forecasting revenues and costs, and then tracking how we perform against these targets by producing management information and analysis, and helping teams with cost control. We support all commercial decisions such as acquiring the rights of the books we publish and negotiating our contractual terms with our customers and suppliers.
Your role: Reporting to the Finance Manager – Overheads, International & Promotion, you’ll become a trusted finance partner to our Sales and Marketing teams. This role combines financial control, business partnering and analysis, while giving you the opportunity to help introduce AI tools and smarter ways of working across Finance. You’ll work with colleagues across the business, giving you excellent exposure and the opportunity to influence how decisions are made. The work you will undertake will have a direct impact on key business decisions both in the short and the long term.
Your key responsibilities:
- Promotion & marketing finance: Manage promotional and marketing cost accounting, ensuring accuracy across actuals, budgets and forecasts. Prepare promotion budgets and forecasts alongside Sales and Communications teams. Partner with budget holders to monitor spend, challenge costs and provide meaningful financial insight. Analyse promotional performance against budgets and forecasts. Manage accruals, balance sheet reconciliations and support invoicing queries. Help improve reporting and identify opportunities to simplify financial processes.
- Business partnering: Build strong relationships with Sales and Marketing teams. Support the Finance Manager in providing commercial insight that helps drive better business decisions. Produce clear, accurate management information and financial analysis.
- AI & digital innovation: Identify opportunities to automate repetitive finance activities using AI and digital tools. Explore technologies such as Gemini, Claude and other emerging tools to improve reporting and analysis. Share ideas that help the Finance team become more efficient, innovative and data-driven.
Essential experience, abilities and knowledge you’ll need to succeed:
- Technical expertise: Fully qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA or ACCA or international equivalent), preferably with relevant industry experience.
- Analytical skills: Analytical and financial modelling experience with excellent Excel skills.
- Process improvement: Proven ability to proactively review existing financial workflows and investigate opportunities for efficiency gains.
- Organizational skills: Organized and proven ability to meet multiple deadlines.
- Commercial acumen: Commercially minded and adaptable to change.
- Communication: Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Inclusion and representation: An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
- Community: A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
- Curiosity: A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
- Integrity: A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.
Desirable skills we’d love you to have:
- Systems and tools: Knowledge of SAP, Tableau and exposure to AI tools such as Gemini and Claude.
What you’ll get in return: In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package. Salary: £55,000 to £61,000 (pro-rated for 9 months). Note on salary: The offered salary is dependent on experience and expertise. We benchmark our ranges to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact.
Closing date: 2 August 2026. This is a full-time, 9-month fixed-term contract and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.
Some of the benefits we offer:
- 28 days’ annual leave (pro-rated for the contract duration) + bank holidays
- Health cash plan
- Group income protection scheme
- Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on a Friday during summer months)
- 2 Volunteer Days per year
- 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates)
- Discounts on shopping and gym memberships
- Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch
How to apply & eligibility: Our process: All applications must be submitted via our careers site to be considered. We are unable to accept CVs or applications sent via email. Our timelines: Because we review every application thoroughly and with care, our shortlisting process can take some time. We appreciate your patience and will be in touch as soon as we have an update on your application. Right to work: All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.
Our commitment to diversity & inclusion: At Pan Macmillan, we are committed to publishing a wide range of voices that reflect the full breadth of the communities we serve. Joining us means playing an active role in bringing our titles to life as part of a team that champions inclusion at every level. We are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and welcoming as the stories we tell, ensuring all perspectives are celebrated across everything we do. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve.
You can read our full Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pledge here. Disability confident scheme: As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long-term health conditions, aiming to offer an interview to everyone who meets the essential criteria for the role and chooses to apply under the scheme. The essential criteria can be found under our ‘Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed’ section. Please note, some of our vacancies attract an exceptionally high volume of applications. In these circumstances, to ensure a fair and focused process for everyone, we may need to limit the overall number of interviews. Where this happens, we will look closely at who most closely aligns with the requirements to select the candidates applying under this scheme who best meet the essential criteria, in line with official government guidance. Please remember that you are never required to disclose a disability to us, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable with.
Adjustment & support: We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process. If you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements, please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at kayelle.danyluk@macmillan.com. Privacy notice: All personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice here. Please read this notice before submitting your application.
Finance Analyst in London employer: Pan Macmillan
Macmillan Children’s Books is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises collaboration and professional growth. With generous benefits such as flexible working hours, extensive leave, and a commitment to diversity, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to the success of beloved children's literature. Located in Farringdon, London, the company provides a dynamic environment where creativity flourishes and team members can make a meaningful impact on global storytelling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Analyst in London
✨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 Pan Macmillan. 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 in London
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 Pan Macmillan.
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 Pan Macmillan'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 Pan Macmillan
✨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 Pan Macmillan.
✨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 Pan Macmillan 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 Pan Macmillan 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.
