Commercial Finance Analyst – FP&A And Central Costs
Commercial Finance Analyst – FP&A And Central Costs

Commercial Finance Analyst – FP&A And Central Costs

London Full-Time 28800 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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River Island

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Commercial Finance team to drive business performance and support financial planning.
  • Company: River Island is a beloved brand with a bright future and a diverse, talented team.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a 50% staff discount, free gym access, flexible working, and generous holiday options.
  • Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture that values progression and offers impactful work.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in financial modelling, advanced Excel skills, and progress towards accountancy qualification required.
  • Other info: Located at our Head Office in West London, with various social events throughout the year.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 42000 £ per year.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to join the highly respected Commercial Finance team at River Island. The team supports all the core business areas, from Retail performance to Product management and Buying support. We help manage the cost base and guide all stakeholders to help achieve our financial and non-financial objectives.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Planning:

  • Drive business performance by supporting the development of robust financial models and contributing to the ongoing management of the rolling forecast process.
  • Collaborate with the Commercial Finance team to shape and execute the Group Strategy and annual budgeting process, including taking ownership of key deliverables and contributing to modelling assumptions.
  • Maintain clear and proactive communication with the wider finance team to ensure timely delivery of all outputs, while remaining adaptable and responsive to shifting priorities and deadlines.

Reporting and Financial Analysis:

  • Ensure daily reports are delivered on time, are accurate, and effectively reflect the Group\’s performance.
  • Support the period-end process across the Group and take ownership for delivering a complete and accurate set of management accounts for the Central Overhead functions.
  • Collaborate with the Financial Accounting team to support the preparation and delivery of the Group Board report.
  • Produce clear, concise, and timely financial reports that not only reflect historical performance but also provide forward-looking insights and actionable analysis to support informed stakeholder decision-making.
  • Ensure the effective maintenance of all financial reporting and consolidation systems, collaborating with the internal IT team to log and resolve any issues.
  • Create insightful, visually compelling, and easy-to-interpret presentations that clearly convey key messages with minimal need for further clarification or analysis.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

  • Provide stakeholder support demonstrating a commercial approach through close partnership with colleagues in finance and other functional teams.
  • Assist in developing business strategies that align with the organisation\’s overall goals.

What we\’re looking for:

  • Expert-level financial modelling skills, with advanced proficiency in Excel and a proven ability to build accurate, robust models from the ground up.
  • Progress towards a professional accountancy qualification (preferably at finalist level), with the ambition to become fully qualified in the near future.
  • Strong presentation capabilities, able to produce clear, concise, and visually engaging materials that effectively communicate insights without requiring additional explanation.
  • Commercially minded and analytically curious, with the ability to interpret data, draw meaningful conclusions, and confidently make informed recommendations.
  • Detail-oriented and proactive, with a confident and approachable demeanour and strong problem-solving skills.
  • Hands-on experience with ERP systems (e.g., Oracle) and familiarity with financial software tools and applications.

About Us

We\’re a much-loved brand with an exciting future. Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do. Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions. This is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.

This role is based at our Head Office in West London. Check us out here on a map.

What we can offer you:

  • Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
  • Reducing Islanders\’ everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions, and more through Reward Gateway!
  • A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & cafe to fill your needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
  • Support for all family setups, including enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and fertility treatments. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
  • Flexible working options, plus payday and summer early finish Fridays.
  • Give as you earn scheme, a \’Giver Island\’ day each year, and matched funding.
  • Support with upskilling through on-the-job training and qualifications, with a clear succession plan for progression.
  • A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
  • 25 days paid holiday, plus the option to purchase additional days twice a year.

Keeping You Safe

At River Island, we are committed to safeguarding all employees regardless of age or job role. We uphold the Prevent duty to stop extremism and extremist views. We promote British Values including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. For more information, visit www.gov.uk.

Our diverse community fosters a sense of belonging. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion, or belief. Flexible working requests will be considered unless operational requirements prevent this.

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Commercial Finance Analyst – FP&A And Central Costs employer: River Island

River Island is an exceptional employer that values its diverse team and fosters a collaborative work culture, making it an ideal place for ambitious individuals to thrive. With generous benefits such as a 50% staff discount, flexible working options, and robust support for professional development, employees are encouraged to grow their careers while enjoying a vibrant workplace in the heart of West London. The company prioritises employee wellbeing through various initiatives, ensuring a rewarding and fulfilling experience for all Islanders.
River Island

Contact Detail:

River Island Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Analyst – FP&A And Central Costs

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with River Island's financial performance and recent strategic initiatives. Understanding their business model and current challenges will help you tailor your discussions during interviews, showcasing your genuine interest in the company.

Tip Number 2

Brush up on your financial modelling skills, especially in Excel. Consider creating a sample financial model that reflects a real-world scenario relevant to retail, as this could be a great talking point in interviews and demonstrate your practical abilities.

Tip Number 3

Network with current or former employees of River Island on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.

Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss how you can contribute to cross-functional collaboration. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully worked with different teams, as this aligns well with the role's emphasis on stakeholder support.

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Analyst – FP&A And Central Costs

Advanced Excel Skills
Financial Modelling
Management Accounting
Budgeting and Forecasting
Financial Reporting
Data Analysis
Presentation Skills
Stakeholder Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
ERP Systems Experience (e.g., Oracle)
Commercial Awareness
Collaboration and Teamwork
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your financial modelling skills and experience with ERP systems. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to support strategic financial planning and reporting.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention how your analytical skills and commercial mindset align with River Island's goals, and provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams.

Showcase Presentation Skills: Since strong presentation capabilities are crucial for this role, consider including a link to an online portfolio or a sample presentation that showcases your ability to convey complex financial information clearly and engagingly.

Highlight Professional Development: Mention your progress towards a professional accountancy qualification and your ambition to become fully qualified. This shows your commitment to growth and aligns with River Island's focus on upskilling and career progression.

How to prepare for a job interview at River Island

Showcase Your Financial Modelling Skills

As a Commercial Finance Analyst, you'll need to demonstrate your expert-level financial modelling skills. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of models you've built in the past and how they contributed to business decisions. Highlight your advanced proficiency in Excel and any relevant software tools you've used.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your ability to handle real-world scenarios related to financial analysis and reporting. Practice articulating how you would approach developing financial models or managing forecasts under tight deadlines. This will show your analytical curiosity and problem-solving skills.

Communicate Clearly and Concisely

Given the emphasis on producing clear and visually engaging presentations, practice summarising complex financial information into concise insights. During the interview, focus on communicating your thoughts clearly, ensuring that your explanations are easy to understand without requiring further clarification.

Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration

Highlight your experience working with various teams and stakeholders. Be ready to share examples of how you've partnered with colleagues in finance and other departments to develop business strategies. This will showcase your commercial mindset and ability to align with organisational goals.

Commercial Finance Analyst – FP&A And Central Costs
River Island
Location: London
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