Finance Analyst - Retail

Our Finance function isn't just about championing internal audits and controlling risks. It's about transforming our Finance systems and processes to make sure we're set up for success in the ever changing world of retail. It's generating crucial insights for our business, keeping costs under control and maximising our cashflow. Here you'll see strategic decision making at its finest. We're changing the face of retail. And you can be a driving force

A key member of the Retail Financial Planning team with primary responsibility for providing the business with high quality Cash & Balance Sheet performance analysis, Latest Views, Budgets, forecasts and five year Corporate Plan and coordinating and tracking cash generating initiatives.

What you need to do

Support the preparation of the corporate budget, forecasts and the corporate plan covering cash flow and balance sheet and other KPIs for the Retail business, which will involve:

• Working closely with Finance teams, developing an understanding of trends in performance, and key issues, activities, and timetables
• Coordinating the development of cash generating initiatives and providing necessary challenge and insight
• Consolidating submissions into the corporate picture, providing constructive challenge to relevant Finance teams
• Assisting in the production of executive summaries and board papers which distil the data and focus on the key issues
• Support the production of timely, accurate, and insightful periodic Retail management accounts
• Coordinate and consolidate the Cash & Balance Sheet Latest View process by working closely with stakeholders on their latest expectations, tracking through cash generating initiatives and monitoring the risks and opportunities
• Provide Treasury with robust weekly Retail cash forecasting and analysis of any reported variances, with more frequent views provided in the run up to the half year and full year reporting dates
• Produce accurate and timely management reporting information for various senior forums including insightful commentary to support the key summary documents
• Work closely with Finance teams to establish consistency and develop best practice
• Support the Group Finance and Investor Relations teams on the corporate interim and preliminary financial reporting process
• Assist in the production of a high quality internal and external financial / business review in addition to producing the supporting Q&A document for the CFO answering queries raised to support external reporting
• Responsible for cross-referencing and producing accurate documentation in all areas
• Perform a high standard of ad hoc analysis supporting the Head of Retail Financial Planning
• Deputise for the FP&A Cash & Balance Sheet Finance Manager as appropriate
• Provide leadership support for the Cash Flow & Balance Sheet team

What you need to know and show

• Qualified accountant (or studying towards an accounting qualification)
• Effective communicator with stakeholders, ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders & build trusted relationships
• Team player, able to work effectively within frameworks without direct supervision
• Strong Excel and numerical skills, with an aptitude for turning data into analysis and insight and being able to clearly articulate this through your communication
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to understand key business performance drivers
• Understanding of the importance of strong financial controls
• Strong planning and prioritisation skills
• Strong presentation and communication skills (both verbal & written)
• Resilience (flexible and able to cope with time pressure, risk & ambiguity)
• A desire for continuous improvement to be best in class
• Experience in a business-facing Finance role, preferably Retail
• Delivery of process improvements

Support we will provide

• Line management support
• Access to personal development tools inclusive of Bitesize talks, online self-development tools, internal mentoring
• On the job coaching

What we offer

Work-life balance is important to us, so we offer our colleagues as much flexibility as possible in line with the needs of their role. We trust them to decide how, where and when they work, combining remote and collaborative working with a flexible approach to hours, giving them plenty of time and space for life outside of work whilst delivering against our business goals.