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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyze financial performance and support strategic decisions for leisure centres.
- Company: Join Places for People, a social enterprise dedicated to building thriving communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 35 days holiday, and perks like healthcare cashback and discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values your contributions and fosters personal growth.
- Qualifications: Studying towards an accountancy qualification with practical financial accounting experience required.
- Other info: This hybrid role offers flexibility with 2-3 days in the office.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Job Description
We are Places for People Group, we're a social enterprise that believes it's people that make a community. That's why we build homes and deliver services for everyone in the community to thrive. At Places Leisure we are changing lives by creating active places and healthy people for communities to thrive, and we want to be the UK's leading health and wellbeing enabler.
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We aren't your typical company. We apply the same philosophy to our People as we do to our communities, ensuring our team is appreciated and supported. At Places for People, you're more than just a number – you're part of our cause.
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So, what are you waiting for? Join a community that cares about you!
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More about your role
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You will work closely with General Managers, Contract Managers, and Area Managers to provide insights into the performance of leisure centres. You'll analyse and interpret variances and trends in management accounts, identifying causes and correcting errors. Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure business goals are met and financial health is maintained will be a key responsibility. You'll support the Forecasting Manager in providing finance business partnering to senior management, helping with strategic decisions. You'll ensure timely information delivery, work with Power BI, and assist the Business Development team with financial support for tenders. Additionally, you'll assist with budget preparation and provide ad hoc financial reporting for business initiatives.
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This is a hybrid role with a mixture of office and home working (2/3 days office based from our Camberley office).
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For more information, please download our job profile available on our website.
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Essential Criteria
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- Practical experience of financial accounting, including preparation and posting of journals plus understanding of the key areas of the balance sheet.
- Studying towards a recognised accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or similar).
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More about you
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You should have practical experience in financial accounting, including preparing and posting journals, with a solid understanding of key balance sheet areas. Excellent numeracy, literacy, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with effective communication skills, both written and verbal. You must be a self-starter, capable of working independently while collaborating with the wider team and prioritising work to meet tight deadlines. Knowledge of Business World and its coding structures is desirable. Ideally, you are enthusiastic, ambitious, and committed, with good technical accounting knowledge, and are studying towards an accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or similar). Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel, are also required.
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If all of this sounds like you then we urge you to make an application with us today.
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Benefits
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We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.
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We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:
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- Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly
- Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
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- Excellent holiday package – 35 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave
- Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year
- A bonus scheme for all colleagues
- Training and development
- Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.
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What's next?
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If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then click apply. You will be redirected to our careers site where you can discover more about the role, read a full job description and apply directly to us.
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If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on skillsemployment@placesforpeople.co.uk.
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If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls
Finance analyst employer: Places Leisure
Contact Detail:
Places Leisure Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to leisure centres. Understanding how these metrics impact financial health will help you demonstrate your analytical skills during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your knowledge of Power BI and Microsoft Excel. Being proficient in these tools is crucial for the role, and showcasing your skills can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the finance and leisure sectors. Engaging with others in the industry can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with financial accounting and journal preparation. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Finance Analyst position. Understand the key responsibilities and essential criteria, such as financial accounting experience and accountancy qualifications.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in financial accounting, particularly your skills in preparing and posting journals. Emphasize your problem-solving abilities and any experience with KPIs or financial reporting.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention your commitment to community values and how your skills align with the company's mission of enabling health and wellbeing.
Highlight Technical Skills: Make sure to showcase your technical skills, especially in Microsoft Excel and any experience with Power BI or Business World. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the analytical aspects of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Places Leisure
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your practical experience in financial accounting. Highlight specific examples of how you've prepared and posted journals, and demonstrate your understanding of key balance sheet areas.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare to share instances where you've identified variances or trends in financial data and how you addressed them effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Since effective communication is essential for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be ready to explain complex financial concepts in a way that is easy to understand for non-financial stakeholders.
✨Familiarize Yourself with Power BI
As the role involves working with Power BI, make sure you have a basic understanding of how it works. If possible, familiarize yourself with its features and be ready to discuss how you can leverage it for financial reporting.
