At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Practice Owners and drive commercial performance in a hands-on finance role.
- Company: Join Pets at Home’s growing Veterinary Group with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, study support, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace that values unique contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future growth of our nationwide practice network.
- Qualifications: Studying towards ACA/ACCA/CIMA with strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ 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 a 12-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
- A collaborative, service-driven mindset
- 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 - 12 Month FTC in Manchester 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 - 12 Month FTC in Manchester
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Pets at Home.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Pets at Home might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Accountant - 12 Month FTC in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Pets at Home will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Pets at Home. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Pets at Home confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pets at Home
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Pets at Home.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Pets at Home that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
