Finance System Specialist

Finance System Specialist

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Smiths Detection

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Own and optimise our divisional consolidation platform using Oracle Hyperion.
  • Company: Join Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection technology.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on financial systems that support critical decision-making.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with deep HFM expertise and strong consolidation experience.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with autonomy to drive change and excellent career growth.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.

Location: Hemel Hempstead (HQ) or London Blackfriars — hybrid

Business Unit: Smiths Detection – Business Solutions

Make your mark owning our divisional consolidation platform. We’re looking for a hands‑on Oracle Hyperion (HFM) expert to own, optimise, and govern our divisional consolidation and reporting process at Smiths Detection. You’ll be the process owner and SME for HFM, shaping the roadmap, leading continuous improvement, and supporting local finance teams to deliver accurate, timely, and insightful reporting every month. You’ll partner closely with the Head of Business Solutions, Divisional Financial Controller, Global Finance, and IT to ensure our consolidation process is robust, efficient, and future‑ready.

What you’ll do

  • Own & Govern the Consolidation Process
  • Act as process owner & functional lead for HFM across the Division.
  • Define what “good” looks like for consolidation and financial reporting, ensuring global deliverables are met.
  • Establish governance: metrics, review forums, change control, and standard ways of working.
  • Create and maintain policies, controls, documentation, and desktop procedures.
  • Enhance data flows and mappings to eliminate manual adjustments in monthly and half‑year reporting.
  • Design and manage functional dimensions and consistent granularity across entities for harmonised reporting (e.g., other payables/receivables splits, bonus analysis, full KPI suite).
  • Embed budgeting, forecasting, and actuals processes (leveraging approvals, version control, trend/driver‑based planning, target setting, and what‑if analysis).
  • Implement the strategic planning process in HFM to improve long‑term planning quality and enable scenarios/sensitivities.
  • Identify and deliver improvements that speed up consolidation, rebuild forms for usability, and strengthen financial integrity.
  • Evaluate all changes to ensure no adverse financial impact and maintain system integrity.

Month‑End Leadership

  • Be the go‑to SME during close; support all entities, resolve validation issues, and ensure on‑time submissions.

Business‑As‑Usual (BAU) Support & Change

  • Provide functional HFM support outside close (mapping queries, data investigations, fixes, and re‑runs where necessary).
  • Validate BAU change requests against the HFM strategy, ensuring correct setup of new accounts, functions, and hierarchies.
  • Plan and execute testing for any change; manage releases so they land cleanly and don’t create unintended consequences.
  • Support ad hoc projects and reporting enhancements, including KPI definition updates and analysis improvements.

Stakeholder Engagement

  • Work closely with local finance teams to understand pain points and opportunities; influence and coach stakeholders at all levels.
  • Hold partners accountable for agreed actions, ensuring alignment with the process roadmap.

What you’ll bring

  • Education & Qualification
  • Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) - Desirable
  • Degree (or equivalent experience).

Experience

  • Deep HFM expertise and strong group consolidation experience across multiple entities (Oracle Hyperion EPM highly desirable).
  • Proven track record of owning and improving financial systems and processes.
  • Strong accounting knowledge and comfort moving between primary statements, supporting schedules, and double entries; able to explain direct/indirect flows.

Skills & Attributes

  • Systems‑accountant mindset with the ability to understand design/structure so data is captured and reported correctly.
  • Structured, logical problem solver with excellent written and verbal communication.
  • Confident engaging and challenging senior stakeholders; able to build strong, trust‑based relationships.
  • Self‑starter: organised, curious, high energy, and committed to continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
  • Team player who can coach others and work effectively in a matrix.

Nice to have (desirable, not essential)

  • Exposure to Hyperion Planning, Essbase, Smart View, or EPM Cloud (e.g., FCCS).
  • Experience with KPI frameworks, driver‑based planning, and scenario modelling.
  • Familiarity with data/BI tools (e.g., Power BI) or light SQL for diagnostics.

Why Smiths Detection?

Join a global leader in threat detection technology and help shape the finance systems that support critical decision‑making across our organisation. You’ll have the autonomy to own the platform, the support to make change happen, and a team that values continuous improvement.

Finance System Specialist employer: Smiths Detection

At Smiths Detection, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and continuous improvement. Located in the vibrant areas of Hemel Hempstead and London Blackfriars, our hybrid working model provides flexibility while you take ownership of our divisional consolidation platform. With opportunities for professional growth, a commitment to employee development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the field of threat detection technology, joining our team means being part of a forward-thinking organisation that values your contributions.
Smiths Detection

Contact Detail:

Smiths Detection Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance System Specialist

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Smiths Detection on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might just get your foot in the door.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Brush up on Oracle Hyperion and consolidation processes. We want to see you shine as the SME they need!

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in financial systems before. We love hearing about real-life examples.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate candidates who want to make a difference.

We think you need these skills to ace Finance System Specialist

Oracle Hyperion (HFM)
Financial Reporting
Consolidation Process Management
Data Flow Enhancement
Budgeting and Forecasting
Change Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Accounting Knowledge
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Team Collaboration
Continuous Improvement
KPI Frameworks
SQL for Diagnostics
Business Intelligence Tools

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance System Specialist role. Highlight your experience with Oracle Hyperion and any relevant financial systems you've worked with. We want to see how your skills align with 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 passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience in improving financial processes, as that’s key for us.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We love a structured, logical problem solver, so share specific instances where you’ve improved processes or resolved issues effectively.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Smiths Detection!

How to prepare for a job interview at Smiths Detection

✨Know Your HFM Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your Oracle Hyperion (HFM) knowledge before the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific features, functionalities, and how you've used HFM in past roles. This will show that you're not just familiar with the system but are also ready to take ownership of it.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Be ready to share examples of how you've tackled challenges in financial reporting or consolidation processes. Think about times when you identified inefficiencies and implemented improvements. This will demonstrate your structured, logical problem-solving approach that the role requires.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Since stakeholder engagement is key for this position, prepare to discuss how you've built relationships with finance teams and influenced senior stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you've coached others to align with process roadmaps.

✨Prepare Questions About Continuous Improvement

Show your enthusiasm for continuous improvement by preparing thoughtful questions about the company's current processes and future goals. Ask about their roadmap for HFM and how they envision enhancing data flows. This will reflect your proactive mindset and commitment to making a positive impact.

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