Senior Finance Analyst - Tech (6-month FTC) in London

Selfridges is a successful luxury retailer, and is continuing on a Tech transformation journey, which includes continued investment in its digital offerings and investment in underlying applications, infrastructure and processes.

Scope

Part of the above, in supporting the Senior Finance Manager, may involve ensuring the accurate financial accounting and recharging (inclusive of transfer pricing where relevant) of major Group or Banner Contracts and Projects, along with effective communication and education of the finance communities in Group and in other banners. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are needed in this role, along with an acumen for contracts understanding and interrogation (particularly IT / Software contracts), Project accounting and some Transfer Pricing exposure.

Responsibilities

• To lead the management accounting and business partnering responsibilities within the Tech, non core finance and HR functions; holding effective month end reviews, planning budgeting and forecasting meetings, and being a first point of contact for the teams.
• To work closely with the Tech team, to help navigate the impact of changes to the Tech architecture and landscape on the overall Operating Model.
• To support the Senior Finance Manager with Tech and other material central contracts, to support (and challenge where relevant) the Tech Procurement department on deals, financial terms, and contractual discussions.
• Deliver to the 5YP, Budget and Forecast Process set by FP&A for the function.
• Business partnering, month end management accounting processes, and monthly P&L review with the leadership team.
• Complete Month End Process proactively and efficiently.
• Operating model from a P&L and cash perspective. Requires close working with the wider Finance Team.
• Have a solid understanding of the budgeted costs by area, and challenge for delivery when appearing off track.
• Help deliver a rolling forecast with proactive call out of risks and opportunities.

Specific Financial Support - Contracts

• To analyse the Group or Selfridges Tech Contracts being considered from a financial and risk management angle in terms of software /Tech costs, the ranges of products being considered for the group (number of licensed users, number of server environments, metrics such as revenue or costs). This is in partnership with the Commercial / Procurement contract team.
• To produce the anticipated costs of the contract, and the allocation of these costs to the Banners based on their needs (from a fair accounting perspective), providing effective recharge split so AP can recharge effectively with backup.
• To review the incoming costs from these suppliers to ensure they are in line with the agreed contract with the supplier, and to assist IT in ensuring the services or products have been delivered before payments are made.
• To assist with the Year End audit process in this area, enabling external and internal audit to understand the methodologies and documentation.
• To regularly review and update procedures, policies and process documentation relating to this area.

A Bit About You

• Have a recognised accountancy qualification, ideally ACCA or CIMA.
• Ability to work to a high standard of accuracy with excellent attention to detail.
• Highly organised and efficient, with an ability to work under pressure.
• Knowledge and experience in IT Contracts and Transfer Pricing.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.
• PC skills – excellent Powerpoint and Excel skills sought.
• Receptive to change with a desire to continuously improve processes and outputs.
• Proactive.

Wider Relationships

• Tech Director and their leadership team.
• HR Director and their leadership team.
• Head of FP&A.
• Financial Control team.
• Programme Managers (where applicable).
• Commercial / Procurement Department.