At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial management and reporting for business divisions, aiding decision-making.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company transforming its finance operations.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days' leave, private medical insurance, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with strong career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Develop your finance skills in a dynamic, collaborative environment with real impact.
- Qualifications: Newly or part-qualified accountant with budgeting and reporting experience.
The predicted salary is between 65250 - 79750 £ per year.
Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.
At a glance:
- Location: Cirencester Office
- Workplace Type: Hybrid (2 days in the office)
- Employment Type: 12 month Fixed-Term Contract
- Seniority: Associate
About the Role
We are looking for an Assistant Finance Business Partner to join our Finance team and play a key role in supporting the financial management of designated business divisions. Working closely with a Senior or Lead Finance Business Partner, you will provide financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and analysis, helping stakeholders make informed business decisions. This is an excellent opportunity for a newly or part-qualified finance professional who is looking to develop their business partnering skills within a dynamic and collaborative environment.
What You'll Be Doing
- Producing monthly management reporting, budgets and re-forecasts for designated divisions, providing clear insight into financial performance and expenditure trends.
- Supporting month-end activities, including accruals, prepayments, reconciliations and financial controls, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Analysing financial results, identifying variances, trends, risks and opportunities, and communicating findings to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
- Partnering with divisional leaders to provide financial information that supports effective decision-making and cost management.
- Supporting the Senior or Lead Finance Business Partner with wider expense management reporting and analysis.
- Managing finance-related queries relating to invoices, expenses, purchase orders and reporting requirements.
- Acting as a subject matter expert for Group Expense Management processes and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Building strong relationships across the business and working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve team objectives.
- Ensuring compliance with financial controls, governance requirements and regulatory standards.
About You
You're a proactive and analytical finance professional who enjoys working with data and turning it into important insight. You have strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills and the confidence to establish effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels. Equally comfortable working independently or as part of a team, you're committed to delivering high-quality financial support and driving continuous improvement.
Essential Criteria
- Newly qualified, part-qualified or AAT qualified accountant (or equivalent experience).
- Experience of budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and expense management.
- Strong understanding of month-end accounting processes, including accruals, prepayments, reconciliations and financial controls.
- Ability to analyse financial information, explain variances and communicate complex financial data clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience using ERP and expense management systems.
- Previous experience working in a finance business partnering or management accounting environment.
What's in it for you?
Whatever stage of life you're in, our benefits are designed to provide the support, flexibility, and peace of mind you need to thrive both at work and beyond. In addition to our discretionary annual bonus scheme, which reflects both individual and company performance, you'll benefit from a market-leading benefits package tailored to support your wellbeing, financial security, and family life. Our benefits include:
- 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
- Private Medical Insurance – company-funded cover for you and your immediate family.
- Generous Pension Scheme – a non-contributory employer contribution of 10%, increasing with length of service up to 15%, plus the opportunity to increase this through salary sacrifice.
- Enhanced Parental Leave – up to 26 weeks' full pay to support growing families.
- Protection Benefits – company-funded critical illness cover, income protection, and life assurance.
- EV salary sacrifice scheme through Tusker.
Reasonable Adjustments
We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk.
Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.
What's next?
If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch. As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.
Assistant Finance Business Partner in Cirencester employer: St. James's Place
St. James’s Place is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in Cirencester, this hybrid role as a Data Privacy Manager not only provides competitive benefits such as parental leave and health insurance but also fosters an environment where employees can thrive through collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders in the regulated financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Finance Business Partner in Cirencester
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
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Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like St. James's Place.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like St. James's Place might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Finance Business Partner in Cirencester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at St. James's Place will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at St. James's Place. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give St. James's Place confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at St. James's Place
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with St. James's Place.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure St. James's Place that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
