At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver financial reporting, forecasting, and performance analysis to support strategic decisions.
- Company: Join Pearson, the world's leading learning company with a global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and enhance your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education by providing insights that drive business success.
- Qualifications: Strong accounting knowledge and experience in financial reporting and analysis required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Deliver financial reporting, forecasting, and performance analysis that supports strategic decision-making across Pearson's Enterprise Learning & Skills division.
About the Role
At Pearson, we are the world's learning company operating in more than 70 countries. We combine world-class educational content and assessment with services and technology to enable more effective teaching and personalised learning at scale. We believe that wherever learning flourishes, so do people. We are seeking an Advanced Specialist, Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis person to join Pearson Finance Services and support the Enterprise Learning & Skills (EL&S) division. This role is responsible for delivering financial planning, forecasting, and performance reporting that provides business leaders with a clear view of financial performance and enables informed decision-making. Working closely with finance business partners and operational stakeholders, this role supports budgeting and forecasting cycles, prepares management reporting, and provides financial insight to support commercial performance across the division.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Planning & Forecasting
- Support the budgeting and forecasting process for one or more business areas within the EL&S division.
- Partner with business stakeholders to develop compensation, discretionary spending, and capital expenditure plans.
- Contribute to the annual strategic planning process through financial modelling, sales margin planning, and supporting analysis.
- Financial Reporting & Performance Analysis
- Prepare monthly management reporting packs to support internal decision-making and performance tracking.
- Consolidate financial performance across business areas and provide analysis against budget, forecast, and prior year.
- Review financial data throughout the reporting cycle to identify and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Commercial Insight & Decision Support
- Provide financial analysis to support business decisions, identifying key drivers of performance, risks, and opportunities.
- Interpret financial and non-financial data to deliver meaningful insight to stakeholders.
- Present financial outcomes and analysis to finance and business partners to support decision-making.
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Build effective working relationships with stakeholders across finance and the wider business.
- Respond promptly to requests for financial information and maintain high levels of stakeholder satisfaction.
- Support collaboration across teams and geographies to ensure consistent financial reporting and analysis.
- Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting, and data accuracy.
- Support the transition of finance activities into Pearson Finance Services where required.
- Ensure processes and documentation are maintained and aligned to corporate standards.
Skills & Experience
- Strong accounting knowledge, ideally supported by a recognised accounting qualification or equivalent experience.
- Experience in financial reporting, planning, budgeting, and forecasting within a commercial environment.
- Strong analytical and variance analysis skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and explain results clearly.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, SUMIFs, and financial modelling).
- Experience working with finance ERP systems (Oracle experience preferred but not essential).
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain financial concepts to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- A proactive, self-starting approach with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Experience working with stakeholders across multiple locations and time zones is advantageous.
Advanced Specialist, Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis in Lisburn employer: Pearson Education Limited
At Pearson VUE, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. As a Test Centre Administrator in Armagh Town, you'll enjoy flexible working hours, competitive pay, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on candidates' lives while working alongside passionate colleagues. We are committed to your professional growth and offer a supportive environment where you can thrive in your role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Specialist, Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis in Lisburn
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Pearson through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into financial reporting and analysis topics. Brush up on your Excel skills, especially those advanced functions, so we can impress them with our expertise!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our analytical skills during the interview. Be ready to discuss how we've used financial data to drive decisions in past roles. Real-life examples will make us stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re genuinely interested in joining the Pearson team!
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced Specialist, Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis in Lisburn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Advanced Specialist role. Highlight your financial reporting, planning, and analysis experience to show us you're the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about financial analysis and how you can contribute to our mission at Pearson. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention your strong analytical skills and any relevant tools you've used, like Excel or ERP systems. We want to see how you interpret data and provide insights!
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’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pearson Education Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your financial reporting and analysis skills. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've supported budgeting and forecasting processes in previous roles. This will show that you understand the key responsibilities of the Advanced Specialist position.
✨Master Excel Like a Pro
Since advanced Microsoft Excel skills are crucial for this role, make sure you're comfortable with pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and financial modelling. Consider doing a quick refresher course or practice exercises to ensure you can demonstrate your proficiency during the interview.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to present financial outcomes or insights, so being able to communicate effectively with both finance and non-finance stakeholders is key. Try role-playing with a friend to build your confidence.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with various stakeholders, so be ready to share examples of how you've built effective working relationships in the past. Highlight any experience you have collaborating across teams or locations, as this will demonstrate your ability to thrive in Pearson's diverse environment.
