The role in brief...
A Group Financial Analyst typically supports the Head of Financial Reporting/ and or the Group CFO in respect of all Group reporting requirements as well as management of the HQ Corporate entity.
Working with...
- Internal: Senior Agency leadership team and Finance teams across the Group; Human Resources/Talent Team; Finance/accounts teams across the network, if required.
- External: Regulatory bodies
- Group Financial Analyst will report to the Group CFO, Group Finance Director, Group Managing Director. They will also report to the Finance Director on account profitability and contracts.
- They will manage and motivate staff within their team, being accountable for their performance and providing them with professional development opportunities.
Responsible for...
- Extensive liaison with a variety of finance teams across the Group to collect data for consolidated analysis and resporting, working with multiple information from a range of locations and sources.
- Providing the latest forecast variances and the full yearly analysis with a narrative for the leadership to review.
- Preparing and managing the monthly, quarterly and annual reporting timetable with other finance partners in other offices and locations.
- Managing Net Working Capital performance.
- Reviewing financial packages in the group consolidation software for accuracy and completeness.
- Managing all intercompany transactions to ensure a smooth and accurate process.
- Supporting Head of Financial Reporting/CFO at quarterly Group forecast meetings including the accurate and timely preparation of the presentation deck with the supporting narrative.
- Working with the Head of Financial Reporting to integrate acquisitions into business, where appropriate.
- Identifying opportunities to improve reporting.
- Developing strong, collaborative working relationships with business partners (ie. Finance Directors, Managing Directors) across the group. Relationships may also include business leaders, client services directors of large client accounts.
- One of the finance team responsible for adhering to legal regulations.
- Other ad hoc finance projects/tasks as may arise.
HQ Corporate
- Perform month-end analysis for the corporate entity.
- Assist Head of Financial Reporting to prepare annual budget/quarterly forecasts.
- Involved in recruitment and selection decisions.
- Focused on the personal and professional development of their team, for example providing time for them to gain their next accountancy qualification.
Those who succeed are...
- Curious about the business and can apply financial analysis and legal knowledge to inform strategic business decisions.
- Proficient with accounting software such as BFC and Sage 500 and other finance packages as required. These packages will vary by agency.
- Proficient in Excel with strong attention to detail and are able to present the implications, opportunities and consequences of their financial analysis.
- Trusted to provided quality data and insight.
- Able to solve problem with the ability to synthesise information and knowledge to achieve a practical solution.
- Skilled at managing multiple information channels to meet tight deadlines: dedicated, analytical and proactive.
Where they come from, and where they go…
They will typically have started their career in accountancy and finance, working towards or completed accounting designation CIMA, ACA or equivalent. Having been in local finance team they develop their career by moving into a broader group function.