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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Track and report Urban costs, manage Capex reporting, and support budgeting and forecasting.
- Company: Join a dynamic finance team in a leading organisation with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, flexible working, private healthcare, and shopping discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by providing insights that drive financial decisions and governance.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified or qualified accountant with strong analytical and Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 ÂŁ per year.
What You’ll Do
- Urban Cost Base Ownership: Take ownership of tracking and reporting the Urban cost base, including headcount, controllable non-payroll costs, overheads, GP/central allocations, discretionary spend and project support costs. Maintain a clear view of run‑rates, cost trends and key drivers across Urban. Provide reliable data and insight to support cost governance and decision‑making.
- BAU Capex Reporting: Manage the end‑to‑end monthly BAU Capex reporting process across Urban. Monitor spend against budgets, phasing and forecasted cashflows. Track project progress, completed works and timing implications. Support governance processes including approvals, reviews and post‑completion assessments.
- Forecasting, Budgeting & Planning: Support the development of annual budgets and the three‑year capital plan, consolidating inputs and validating assumptions. Lead the preparation of Urban cost forecasts, budgets and multi‑year planning models. Analyse variances between actual and planned costs, providing clear explanations. Provide insight into risks, opportunities and emerging pressures to senior stakeholders. Maintain robust assumptions for both operating cost and capex forecasting. Lead scenario analysis and cost sensitivity modelling to support decision‑making.
- Reporting, Insight & Governance: Produce high‑quality dashboards and reports covering Urban costs and BAU Capex. Highlight risks and opportunities ensuring early and proactive escalation. Ensure compliance with cost controls, capital governance and approval processes. Maintain accurate financial data across ERP and reporting systems, ensuring correct coding and adherence to governance standards. Support the transition of BAU Capex reporting onto digital tools, identifying opportunities to streamline and enhance reporting. Ensure compliance with financial policies and joint venture agreements.
Benefits
- 28 days paid holiday, 2 volunteering days and the option to purchase additional holiday.
- Flexible and hybrid working policies.
- Market‑leading family‑friendly policies.
- Competitive salary, pension and performance‑related bonus.
- Private healthcare; life and critical illness cover.
- Additional benefits including shopping discounts in the West End.
Qualifications
- Part‑qualified, qualified or PQ accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) or equivalent finance experience.
- High level of analytical capability with advanced Excel proficiency; Power BI experience preferred.
- Excellent attention to detail with curiosity to understand cost drivers and operational trends.
- Clear communicator able to explain financial information simply to finance and non‑finance colleagues.
- Experience in cost reporting, capital reporting or complex P&L environments is advantageous.
- Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
Capabilities & Attributes
- Positive, adaptable and collaborative working style.
- Analytical mindset with a problem‑solving approach.
- Meticulous attention to detail with awareness of broader business impacts.
- Comfortable working with complex datasets.
- Able to build effective relationships across finance and non‑finance teams.
- Confident contributor who supports continuous improvement.
- IT skills including high proficiency in Excel.
Ready to grow your impact in a dynamic, analytical, and high‑visibility role?
Finance Analyst - Portfolio Operations and Cost Governance in City of Westminster employer: The Crown Estate
Contact Detail:
The Crown Estate Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Analyst - Portfolio Operations and Cost Governance in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance industry, especially those who work in portfolio operations or cost governance. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s financials and recent projects. Show that you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their cost base and can contribute from day one. Bring your analytical mindset to the table and be ready to discuss how you can help with budgeting and forecasting.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role and highlighting a key point from your conversation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Finance Analyst role! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your understanding of our values and how you fit into our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Analyst - Portfolio Operations and Cost Governance in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance Analyst role. Highlight your experience with cost reporting, budgeting, and any relevant analytical skills. We want to see how your background aligns 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 finance and how your skills can contribute to our Urban Cost Base Ownership. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires a high level of analytical capability, don’t shy away from showcasing your Excel prowess or any experience with Power BI. We’re keen to see how you’ve used these tools to drive insights in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get your journey started!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Crown Estate
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Analyst, you'll be dealing with a lot of data. Brush up on your financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you track and report costs. Familiarise yourself with key terms like run-rates, overheads, and capital expenditure so you can speak confidently about them.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical capabilities. Bring examples of how you've used Excel or Power BI to analyse data in the past. Be ready to explain your thought process when it comes to forecasting and budgeting, as this will show your problem-solving approach.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to explain complex financial information to both finance and non-finance colleagues. Practice simplifying your explanations and think of ways to make your insights accessible. This will highlight your communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively.
✨Be Proactive About Governance
Understand the importance of compliance and governance in finance roles. Prepare to discuss how you've ensured adherence to financial policies in previous positions. Showing that you can maintain accurate financial data and support governance processes will set you apart.