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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage costs, prepare reports, and support forecasting for informed decision-making.
- Company: Join a dynamic finance team in a hybrid working environment.
- Benefits: Flexible work schedule, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by turning financial data into actionable insights.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant with strong reporting skills.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career advancement opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Contract role in Reading with hybrid working – 2 days in office.
We are seeking a Senior Finance Analyst to join our finance team, playing a key role in cost management, forecasting, and management reporting. This is an excellent opportunity for a part-qualified (near completion) or fully qualified accountant who enjoys working closely with the business and turning financial data into meaningful insight.
The Role
In this role, you will be responsible for month-end close and quarterly forecasting, primarily supporting People and T&O cost areas. You will work closely with Finance Business Partners and key stakeholders across the business to challenge costs, explain performance, and support informed decision-making. You will also deliver timely, accurate daily, weekly, monthly, and forecast reporting to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including shareholders and auditors.
Key Responsibilities
- Cost Management & Reporting
- Support month-end close, including preparation of journals and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Prepare management reporting packs with clear analysis and commentary to explain performance and variances.
- Support quarterly forecasting, including Smartview uploads and forecast reporting.
- Work closely with Finance Business Partners and business stakeholders to understand cost drivers and changes.
- Assist external auditors with testing and queries for supported areas.
- Maintain, refresh, reconcile, and roll forward monthly and quarterly shareholder reporting, including KPIs/KBIs.
- Collaborate with Finance Business Partners and the wider business to ensure accurate, well-understood reporting.
- Build strong working relationships to support effective cost control and forecasting.
Skills & Experience
- Part-qualified (near completion) or fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA).
- Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills.
- Ability to work to deadlines and manage multiple reporting cycles.
- Experience in management reporting and forecasting.
- Experience with Smartview and/or Alteryx.
- Understanding of business and cost drivers.
Senior Financial Analyst in Reading employer: Project People
Contact Detail:
Project People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Analyst in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in cost management or reporting. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding of cost drivers. We recommend practising common interview questions related to financial analysis and management reporting to show you're the right fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your soft skills! Being able to communicate complex financial data clearly is key. During interviews, share examples of how you've collaborated with stakeholders to drive informed decision-making.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest roles tailored to your skills and experience right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Financial Analyst in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Finance Analyst role. Highlight your experience in cost management and forecasting, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA. We want to see how your skills match what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for our finance team. Share specific examples of how you've turned financial data into insights and how you’ve collaborated with stakeholders. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: As a Senior Finance Analyst, analytical skills are key. In your application, be sure to highlight your experience with management reporting and forecasting. Mention any tools you’ve used, like Smartview or Alteryx, to show us you’re ready to hit the ground running.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to upload your tailored CV and cover letter directly. Let’s make this happen together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Project People
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Financial Analyst, you'll be expected to handle complex financial data. Brush up on your key metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This shows you can turn numbers into insights, which is crucial for the role.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
When discussing your past experiences, focus on how you’ve communicated financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Prepare examples where your analysis led to significant business decisions. This will demonstrate your ability to partner effectively with the business.
✨Get Familiar with Smartview and Alteryx
Since experience with Smartview and/or Alteryx is mentioned in the job description, make sure you’re comfortable discussing your proficiency with these tools. If you have specific examples of how you’ve used them to enhance reporting or forecasting, bring those to the table.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about their cost management strategies or how they measure success in the finance team. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
