FP&A Lead
About the Business
This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing, PE-backed financial technology business at a pivotal point in its development. Following a recent change in ownership, the business is undergoing a significant transformation programme — bringing finance processes in-house and building out its reporting, analytical and modelling capabilities to better drive business performance.
This is a unique chance to play a central role in shaping the FP&A function of a well-established business with a strong heritage in financial technology, serving thousands of market participants globally.
The Role
We are looking for a senior FP&A Lead to join a busy finance team, working alongside senior stakeholders to monitor business performance and provide financial insights that deliver enhanced value to shareholders.
This role has a specific focus on the cost base, partnering the technology, client services and corporate functions. There is a significant change agenda, so this role will suit someone who enjoys variety and is naturally curious.
The successful candidate must be able to operate in the detail — ensuring data is correct and reported accurately — whilst also being adept at explaining the business rationale behind results and analysis. Strong communication skills, resilience and flexibility are essential.
This is a senior hire within the FP&A team, with responsibility for all cost accounts and an expectation of high-level understanding across the P&L, balance sheet and cashflow. The role has 6 direct reports, with team members based both in the UK and offshore.
Key Responsibilities
Business Partnering & Analysis
*Drive insight and analysis to understand and enhance performance
*Support decision making with data and insight
*Establish and review key business metrics
*Advise on the financial implications and consequences of business decisions
*Interpret and communicate financial data to non-financial managers
*Tell the story behind the numbers without getting lost in the detail
Reporting
*Support the accounting teams to deliver an accurate general ledger, including input to, review and challenge of month end journal entries
*Production and presentation of functional monthly business performance packs
*Provide business commentary and insight into drivers of performance
*Provide financial support to key budget holders and their teams to understand variances and implications
*Develop and improve reporting provided to stakeholders
Budgeting, Forecasting & Planning
*Take ownership of budgeting and forecasting processes for the cost base, including the introduction of an agile rolling forecast process
*Development of driver-based forecasting
*Support business planning by providing financial analysis and modelling
*Support wider strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting processes
Other
*Contribute to ad hoc financial projects and requests as part of the overall finance function
*Continuously look for ways to re-engineer and automate finance processes and the operating model
*Coach the team and across finance more broadly to enhance business knowledge, partnering and FP&A skills
*Assist with embedding financial literacy more broadly across the business
Skills & Requirements
*Strong and varied FP&A background with significant business partnering experience and evidence of supporting change (8+ years post-qualification experience)
*Ability to engage with a broad group of stakeholders including the senior leadership team and manage expectations appropriately
*Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
*Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
*Strong Excel skills and advanced modelling capability
*Ability to work independently, managing competing priorities for multiple stakeholders
*Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills
*Strong organisational and time management skills
*Ability to quickly gain a thorough knowledge of the business
*Experience working in a PE-backed environment is a strong advantage