At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial planning and analysis for a £300m operations cost base.
- Company: Join The AA, a leading organisation in roadside assistance and insurance.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, and discounts on AA products.
- Why this job: Make an impact in finance while collaborating with diverse teams and enhancing your skills.
- Qualifications: AAT qualified or part-qualified ACCA/CIMA; strong Excel and analytical skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for personal development and career progression.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Join to apply for the Finance Analyst Roadside Operations role at The AA in Basingstoke, England, United Kingdom. This is a hybrid role (3 days per week in the office). Employment Type: Full-time/permanent. Salary: Competitive. Hours: 36.25 hours per week, Monday–Friday.
We’re looking for a Finance Analyst to join the AA Operations Finance team based in Basingstoke. In this role, you’ll support the Senior Finance Manager across key financial planning cycles, including the annual budget and quarterly forecasting processes. You’ll be responsible for populating forecasts using business inputs and managing variance analysis tools to identify anomalies or significant changes that require challenge. You’ll maintain and develop the Operations finance forecast models, helping the business understand and explain the c£300m annual Operations cost base. Working closely with the Financial Reporting and Business Partnering teams, you’ll contribute to performance analysis and provide insight into both historical and projected results. This role also offers the opportunity to collaborate directly with our Analytics & MI teams, ensuring a strong link between financial planning and data-driven decision-making.
What will I be doing?
- Producing accurate and timely weekly and monthly trackers aligned to Budget and Forecast cycles
- Collaborating with the Financial Reporting team to ensure precise month-end reporting, while continuously improving speed, accuracy, and insight
- Reviewing and challenging operational costs independently to influence spend behaviour and drive efficiencies
- Enhancing and maintaining financial models to improve forecasting accuracy, identify risks and opportunities, and support decision making
- Streamlining manual reporting processes and transitioning outputs to PowerBI requiring technical expertise in automation and proven experience in PowerBI
- Supporting forecasting cycles with analytical insights to highlight trends, anomalies, and provide clear explanations of financial performance
- Delivering robust planning assumptions for annual budgets and monthly/quarterly forecasts
- Assisting the Senior Finance Manager and wider finance team with ad hoc projects and tasks
- Operating within a defined scope under limited supervision, with occasional travel expected
- Demonstrating and upholding the AA’s values and behaviours to deliver outstanding service to our customers
What do I need?
Skills & Experience
- Strong Excel skills (including VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables); experience with PowerBI is desirable
- Working knowledge of MS PowerPoint, SAP, and BPC (preferred but not essential)
- Experience with stock management processes beneficial
- Solid understanding of financial processes and performance analysis
- Proven experience in an accounting or finance role, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy
- Confident working with data to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities
- Comfortable streamlining manual processes and implementing automation solutions
- Numerate and computer literate, with a passion for continuous improvement
Education & Qualifications
- AAT qualified or part-qualified ACCA/CIMA
- Degree-level education in Finance or a related subject (2:1 or above preferred)
Personal Attributes
- Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure
- Self-motivated with strong initiative and a drive to deliver results
- Clear and confident communicator with a collaborative approach
- Enthusiastic, positive, and solutions-focused
- Organised and able to work independently within a defined scope
- Committed to personal development and open to change
- Analytical thinker with sound judgement and attention to detail
- Able to build strong relationships across teams and functions
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme
- Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution
- Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends
- Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family
- Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
- Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more
- Company funded life assurance
- Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career
Plus, so much more! We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best and feel like you truly belong. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.
As part of the onboarding process, we complete several pre-employment checks including work reference, credit and criminal record checks.
We may close the vacancy sooner than the advertised date if we get a high volume of applications, please apply now if you are interested.
Seniority level: Not Applicable
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Finance and Sales
Industries: Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, Financial Services, and Insurance
We may close the vacancy sooner than the advertised date if we get a high volume of applications, please apply now if you are interested.
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Finance Analyst Roadside Operations employer: The AA
Contact Detail:
The AA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Analyst Roadside Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at The AA on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common finance-related questions. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you showcase your skills effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your Excel and PowerBI skills during the interview. Bring examples of how you've used these tools in past roles to solve problems or improve processes. It’ll demonstrate your hands-on experience and make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role and mentioning something specific from your conversation can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows you're keen!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Analyst Roadside Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Analyst role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in financial planning and analysis, and don’t forget to showcase your Excel and PowerBI skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the team at The AA. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with the job description.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, be sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles. We love seeing how you can identify trends and anomalies!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at The AA.
How to prepare for a job interview at The AA
✨Master Your Excel Skills
Since strong Excel skills are crucial for the Finance Analyst role, make sure you brush up on VLOOKUPs and Pivot Tables. Practise using these functions in real-world scenarios to demonstrate your proficiency during the interview.
✨Know Your Financial Processes
Familiarise yourself with financial planning cycles, variance analysis, and forecasting. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these processes in previous roles, as this will show your understanding and capability in handling the responsibilities of the position.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Thinking
The role requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to identify trends and anomalies. Prepare examples from your past experiences where your analytical skills led to significant insights or improvements, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Automation
With a focus on streamlining manual processes and using PowerBI, come equipped with ideas on how you've implemented automation solutions in the past. This will highlight your technical expertise and your commitment to continuous improvement, which is highly valued in this role.