Hybrid role - 3 days a week in the Tower Bridge office.
Zoopla is one of the UK's most instantly recognisable property brands. In fact, we're known and loved by over 91% of the nation (and we're working hard on the other 9%). Our mission is to help the nation make better home decisions - by connecting everyone to their home and giving them personalised insights to help with moving, managing or financing. Over 50 million people visit Zoopla every month to access exclusive data and information on every UK property, search over 500,000 homes for sale and rent, find the best agents and secure the latest mortgage deals. We're a growing, dynamic team that embraces innovation and isn't afraid to push the boundaries. We're only just starting our journey to redefine the digital property landscape, with much more to explore and achieve. Join us, and transform the way the nation makes home decisions.
We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented and commercially-minded Finance Analyst to join our core finance team. This is a broad and vital role responsible for the end-to-end financial management of all staff costs, our largest operational expense, while also providing key support to our commercial finance function. You will be the go-to expert for all people-related costs, from intricate month-end accounting to long-term forecasting. At the same time, you will assist in producing key performance reporting that drives the business forward. You'll partner closely with HR, Recruitment, and other leaders across the business to provide the financial insight needed to support our growth and drive informed decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Staff Cost Planning & Accounting Planning, Forecasting and ad hoc analysis: Own and manage the annual budgeting and monthly re-forecasting process for all staff costs across Zoopla, including salaries, bonuses, commission, benefits, employer taxes and capex.
- Month-End Close: Manage the complete month-end accounting process for all elements of staff costs, ensuring accuracy and adherence to deadlines. This includes preparing and posting all monthly payroll journals, bonus accruals, and capex.
- Capitalised Labour (Capex): Take responsibility for the correct accounting treatment of capitalised staff costs. You will also be expected to critically review and improve the current capitalised development expenditure process and its related reporting.
- Commercial Business Partnering HR Business Partnering: Collaborate effectively with HR and departmental heads to accurately model headcount changes, salary reviews, new hires, and attrition.
- Stream Ownership: Act as the key finance stakeholder for the HR, Tech and Marketing partnering with departmental heads to support informed decision-making.
- Trading & KPI Reporting: Assist the Head of Commercial Finance with key performance indicator (KPI) and weekly trading reporting, providing timely and accurate data to the leadership team.
- Pacing Model: Maintain the monthly pacing model, tracking actual results against forecast to monitor real time performance.
- Ad-Hoc Analysis: Support the commercial finance team with other tasks and ad-hoc commercial analysis as may be required to drive business performance.
- AI & Process Innovation: Identify and implement AI-driven analytical tools, automation technologies, and advanced data models to streamline forecasting, variance analysis, and routine reporting. Drive continuous process improvements across capitalised labour (Capex) frameworks and financial reporting systems.
- Compliance Audit Management: Manage all aspects of the external audit in relation to staff costs, acting as the primary point of contact for auditors' queries in this area.
- Tax Compliance Support: Provide support for the Tax team in annual payroll-related processes such as the preparation of P11D and PSA returns.
- General Support: Assist the wider finance team with other month-end and year-end tasks as required to ensure departmental goals are met.
Skills and Experience Essential
- Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or equivalent) or Qualified by experience
- Proven experience in a finance analyst or finance business partnering role with exposure to both management accounting/month-end and FP&A.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, with strong financial modelling skills.
- High level of accuracy and unwavering attention to detail.
- Proven track record in process improvement, particularly in relation to automation of model inputs and updates
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to partner with and challenge senior, non-finance stakeholders.
- A proactive and inquisitive mindset, with a desire to understand the \"why\" behind the numbers.
- Experience in a fast-paced, technology-driven or private equity-backed environment.
Skills and Experience Desirable
- Direct experience with the accounting and forecasting of staff costs.
- Experience with commercial finance tasks, such as KPI tracking and performance reporting.
- Knowledge of accounting for capitalised labour
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Finance Business Partner employer: Zoopla
At Zoopla, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while ensuring meaningful in-person connections, particularly in our vibrant Tower Bridge office, which is surrounded by lively neighbourhoods. With a strong focus on employee growth, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology, we empower our team members to take ownership of their work and drive impactful design solutions.
