At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Practice Owners with financial analysis and drive commercial performance.
- Company: Join Pets at Home’s Veterinary Group, a leader in pet care.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, study support, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of our nationwide practice network.
- Qualifications: Studying towards ACA/ACCA/CIMA with strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join us in Pets at Home’s growing Veterinary Group as a Commercial Finance Accountant on a fixed-term contract, where you’ll play a key role in supporting Practice Owners, driving commercial performance and shaping the future growth of our nationwide practice network.
About the Role
As part of our Regional & Strategic Finance team, you’ll be a trusted business partner to Operational Teams and Practice Owners. You’ll provide insightful financial analysis, build robust business plans and support new openings, extensions, relocations and succession planning. This is a hands‑on and varied role with real scope to make an impact. The role offers an 18 month fixed-term contract and hybrid working (two office days per week) from our Support Office in Handforth, Cheshire.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Resolving financial queries from Regional Finance Managers, Business Development Partners and Practice Owners within agreed Service Level Agreements
- Leading periodic practice reviews and highlighting key financial risks and opportunities
- Attending regional meetings and providing clear commercial insight
- Analysing practice performance to support improvements
- Producing high‑quality business plans for new and existing practices
- Working with internal teams to model accurate revenue and cost forecasts
- Managing multiple ongoing projects with clear communication to stakeholders
- Partnering with Treasury on bank loan options
- Reviewing surplus cash positions and recommending loan repayments and dividend declarations
- Supporting practices through annual budgeting and testing of financial data
- Managing the relationship with external valuation advisors
- Gathering, coordinating and validating financial information for valuation processes
- Challenging and refining financial model assumptions
- Identifying ways to improve modelling and reporting processes
About You
- Studying towards / part‑qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA (study support available)
- Strong Excel skills and confident with wider MS Office tools
- Skilled at explaining financial concepts to non‑finance colleagues
- Experience in financial modelling or similar commercial analysis (desirable)
- Comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment with competing deadlines
- Experience in a franchise or practice‑owner model is beneficial
- SAP knowledge is helpful but not essential
What You Bring
- Clear, confident communication at all levels
- Strong ownership, organisation and attention to detail
- A passion for accuracy, improvement and delivering high‑quality work
Pets just see people. They aren’t biased and they don’t discriminate. We take our inspiration from pets, and we value and respect difference in all its forms. Our aim is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and every colleague can help us achieve this. We encourage our people to be themselves so even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you!
Commercial Finance Accountant employer: Pets at Home
At Pets at Home, we are not just building a pet insurance business; we are creating a vibrant and innovative environment where your contributions truly matter. As a Senior Pricing Analyst, you will enjoy the unique opportunity to work with unparalleled data assets while being part of a passionate team dedicated to improving outcomes for pets and their owners. With a supportive culture that values diversity and encourages personal growth, this role offers a chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic start-up atmosphere backed by the stability of a leading brand.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Pets at Home or in similar roles on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research the company’s values and recent news. Be ready to discuss how your skills can drive commercial performance and support practice owners.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your Excel skills! Bring examples of financial models or analyses you've done in the past. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to provide insightful financial analysis.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Commercial Finance Accountant. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in financial modelling and analysis, and don’t forget to showcase your strong Excel skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your skills can help us drive commercial performance. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves working with various teams, emphasise your ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with non-finance colleagues in the past.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pets at Home
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Finance Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the veterinary industry and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive commercial performance in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Excel Skills
Strong Excel skills are a must for this role. Prepare to discuss specific functions or models you've created in Excel that have helped in financial analysis or forecasting. If possible, bring examples of your work to illustrate your capabilities.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll be working with non-finance colleagues, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated financial insights to stakeholders and be ready to share those stories.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
This role involves resolving financial queries and identifying risks. Prepare to discuss a time when you faced a financial challenge and how you approached it. Highlight your analytical thinking and how you contributed to improving processes or outcomes.
