Specialist, Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis in Belfast

At Pearson, we are committed to a world that's always learning and to our talented team who makes it all possible. We are bold thinkers and standout innovators who motivate each other to explore new frontiers in an environment that supports and inspires us to always be better.

We are recruiting this role within Pearson Finance Services (PFS) to support Pearson Higher Education Division. This is a hybrid role and candidates will be expected to work from home as well as from our office in Belfast. We will also consider candidates based in Manila who can access the central office in Mandaluyong City.

To undertake this role the following will be required:

• Complete all deliverables in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner.
• Understand data sources and data flows and how financial and non-financial data is presented.
• Apply judgement and analytical skills to ensure the accuracy and relevance of outputs needed by the business to make the right decision.
• Help to create a work atmosphere conducive to collaborative working.
• Maintain customer satisfaction by promptly following up on customers' requests for information.
• Identify opportunities for continuous process improvement and innovative solutions and communicate these to your line manager.

Activities / Tasks:

• Prepare comprehensive financial analysis and commentary for one or more sub-divisions within the Higher Education vs Budget/prior period.
• Support in the Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting cycles through preparation of analyses and system loads working with the BPM/Business to complete in line with strict deadlines.
• Input into the annual strategic planning process through preparation of analysis; sales margin plans and other information to enable collation of the plan.
• Prepare key month end management reporting to senior business leadership packs for decision making.
• Assist monthly and quarterly consolidation of management information packs across business areas and roll up to group level showing performance against budget, forecast and prior year.
• Support local business partners in providing targeted quality commercial analysis.
• Assist in providing value add financial analysis to Finance Business Partners or business.
• Manage the preparation of accruals / other adjustment journal entries as required and review financial data during the month to provide timely corrections.
• Prepare ad hoc analysis as required.
• Champion continuous improvement within PFS to deliver tangible benefits and engage in wider standardisation and streamlining initiatives.
• Ensure team performance targets are met and service is delivered to end users as expected.
• Perform other necessary administrative activities relevant to the role.

Skills / capabilities:

• A self-starter who is motivated to work under own initiative when required demonstrating initiative and sound judgement.
• Analytical/variance analysis skills, proven ability to review and analyze financial data and explain results.
• Providing analysis to support decision making.
• Accounting knowledge.
• Part qualified or qualified accountant (or part/fully qualified by strong relevant experience).
• Advanced user of Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel (v-lookups, sum-ifs, pivot tables etc.).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with both finance and non-finance professionals.
• Experience of finance ERP systems (Oracle preferred but not essential).
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and to be able to prioritise to meet those deadlines.
• Ability to manage stakeholders effectively.

Desirable skills / capabilities:

• Experience of planning, budgeting and forecasting and producing management information for decision making.
• Experience working with and partnering with stakeholders in a large organisation.
• Ability to multitask; coordinating the delivery of multiple priorities in parallel across disparate teams and locations.
• Experience using Oracle and Hyperion systems and Smartview tools.

Your Reward & Benefits:

We know you'll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We understand that one size doesn't fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams and their families too. There are a range of options, too many to list here, but when you join our Pearson family you can look forward to:

• Starting holiday of 25 days plus UK public holidays and you'll earn 1 additional day's holiday per year you work with us.
• A generous pension scheme where we match and double what you contribute.
• Maternity, paternity, and family care leave as well as flexible work policies.
• Stock/share purchase options.
• Healthcare and dental plans, and an employee well-being assistance program for you and your family to help balance work, family, and personal life.
• Cycle to Work Scheme, gym membership concessions in selected office locations, along with retail and leisure discounts.

Who we are:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are.