At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a B2B marketing agency as a Finance Business Partner, driving financial insights and collaboration.
- Company: Dynamic marketing agency in Reading with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Part-time hours, hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance in a creative environment and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, strong Excel skills, and a passion for collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 € per year.
Role: Finance Business Partner
Sector: B2B Marketing Agency
Location: Reading
Part-Time: 20 hrs per week over 4 or 5 days
Hybrid: 2 days in office
Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 FTE
Reports to: Operations Director
Ref: VFR 3287
VisionFR is working with a B2B Marketing Agency to find them their first Finance Business Partner. This is an exciting new role, with a great opportunity to grow and make it your own. The ideal candidate for this role will have proven experience in establishing great business partnerships and collaboration with the rest of the agency, so having sufficient face-to-face time is crucial.
Role Responsibilities of the Finance Business Partner
- Financial Reporting & Processing
- Produce management accounts and maintain regular reporting rhythms for the wider business and board reporting.
- Ensure revenue, cost and margin data is captured consistently and accurately.
- Maintain clear and reliable financial information to support business planning and performance review utilising agency software Team leader Orbit.
- Own month-end processes and support timely, accurate financial close.
- Manage invoicing, payroll, expenses and reconciliations across the agency.
- Ensure financial records are accurate, compliant and kept up to date.
- Forecasting, Analysis & Commercial Insight
- Produce forecasts, budget tracking and financial analysis across revenue, margin and cashflow.
- Provide clear visibility of performance at project, account and business level.
- Analyse profitability and margin performance, identifying risks, trends and opportunities.
- Support leadership with practical financial insight to inform decision-making.
- Enable teams to understand the drivers of financial performance and how their delivery decisions impact commercial outcomes.
- Translate data into actionable recommendations that support stronger planning and better commercial performance.
- Work closely with the Director of Operations & Finance to ensure financial insight supports wider business priorities and governance objectives.
- Controls, Governance & Compliance
- Own financial controls, compliance processes and reporting standards across the agency.
- Lead improvements to financial processes, clarity and consistency across the business in line with industry system advances.
- Main owner and expert of the finance module of the agency software Team leader Orbit.
- Ensure consistency between operational and financial data and challenge discrepancies where needed.
- Maintain adherence to statutory requirements, internal policies and financial procedures.
- Support tax requirements and external reporting obligations in partnership with external accountants.
- Maintain robust financial documentation, approval processes and audit trails.
- Continuously improve the reliability, consistency and control of financial processes across the business.
- Support the Director of Operations & Finance in upholding the agency’s overall financial governance framework.
- Cashflow, Working Capital & Revenue Recognition
- Maintain clear visibility of cash position, cashflow forecasting and working capital performance.
- Monitor WIP, billing schedules and debtor positions to support healthy cash conversion.
- Help ensure invoicing happens accurately and at the right time against agreed scopes and delivery milestones.
- Support teams in understanding revenue recognition, delivery recognition and the financial impact of project timing.
- Flag risks relating to aged debt, unbilled work, overservicing or margin erosion and work with teams to resolve them.
- Improve predictability and discipline around cash collection, revenue timing and commercial recovery.
- Business Partnering, Collaboration & Capability Building
- Act as a trusted finance partner, helping teams understand financial performance and improve commercial outcomes.
- Upskill non-finance colleagues in invoice timing, delivery recognition, scoping and project profitability.
- Work closely with the Director of Operations & Finance to provide insight and support business decision-making.
- Collaborate with the Delivery & Performance Director so that financial priorities, reporting expectations and operational delivery remain joined up and practical.
- Align and connect with external accountants for statutory and business reporting requirements.
- Provide guidance to the Operations Executive on financial data quality and reporting standards.
- Culture, Process & Agency Contribution
- Lead by example in bringing diligence, accountability and commercial awareness into day-to-day ways of working.
- Encourage teams to see the connection between delivery quality, commercial performance and agency success.
- Follow company ways of working guidelines and encourage strong cross-functional collaboration.
- Help individuals understand how their work contributes to the wider performance and sustainability of the agency.
- Take an active role in supporting a culture of commercial ownership, curiosity and continuous improvement.
Key Experience and Qualifications of the Finance Business Partner
- XERO – main finance software
- Team leader Orbit – agency project management and financial software (full commercial lifecycle of the project)
- TLO would be used as tool for processing external timesheets, suppliers as well as generating month end invoices.
- Majority of project related commercial reporting will be done in TLO
- Management reporting via XERO or bespoke dashboard.
- Highly proficient use of Excel – data analysis and dashboard reporting
- ACA or ACCA or CIMA qualified with minimum 2 years post qualified experience (happy to get guidance on this)
- Previous marketing or creative agency experience or service based (timesheets)
VisionFR is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, inclusion and eliminating unlawful discrimination within our workforce and whilst fulfilling our Clients’ recruitment needs.
Due to the high level of applications being received if you do not hear from us within 5 working days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion, usually due to other candidates having more relevant sector exposure, qualifications or required skills. We thank you for your interest.
Finance Business Partner in Reading employer: VisionFR Limited
At VisionFR, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Finance Business Partner in our Reading office, you'll enjoy flexible part-time hours, competitive salary, and the opportunity to shape a new role while contributing to the agency's success. We are committed to your professional growth, providing resources for continuous learning and development in a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend finance or marketing events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its culture, and think about how your skills as a Finance Business Partner can add value. Practice common interview questions and come up with examples that showcase your experience in financial reporting and business partnering.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Finance Business Partner position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications and updates all in one place!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in financial reporting, analysis, and collaboration, as these are key aspects of the job. 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 the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've established great business partnerships and contributed to financial success in previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Relevant Experience:When filling out your application, make sure to showcase any relevant experience you have with financial software like XERO or Team Leader Orbit. If you've worked in a marketing or creative agency before, don't forget to mention that too – it’s a big plus for us!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at VisionFR Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the agency, such as cash flow, revenue recognition, and margin analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics in past roles to drive business decisions.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires strong partnerships across teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with non-financial colleagues in previous positions. Highlight any instances where your financial insights led to improved commercial outcomes or operational efficiencies.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Tools
Get to know the software mentioned in the job description, particularly XERO and Team Leader Orbit. If you have experience with similar tools, be prepared to discuss how you’ve leveraged technology to enhance financial reporting and analysis in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in financial reporting or cash flow management and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
