Business Analyst

ACCA Careers; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Annual leave

Car allowance

Private medical

Life insurance

Job summary

Serco in Solihull is seeking a Business Analyst to support financial performance, governance and commercial success across a growing defence infrastructure portfolio. You will work closely with Finance Partners, commercial teams and operations to drive informed decisions and strong financial results.

The role offers a 12-month FTC with a hybrid working arrangement and some travel across the UK as required. You will bring IFRS knowledge, and strong analytical skills to support budgeting,

Qualifications

• Newly qualified accountant or finance professional seeking business partnering experience.
• Experience in financial governance, month-end reporting and profitability analysis.
• Ability to work with Finance Partners, commercial teams and operations.
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency with ERP systems.
• Knowledge of IFRS and technical accounting principles.

Responsibilities

• Support monthly reporting and financial governance.
• Analyse profitability and variances across contracts.
• Provide insight to commercial teams and operations.
• Assist budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Data interpretation

Education

ACCA/ACCA equivalent

Tools

SAP

Job description

Who We Are

VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.

Serco

Location: Home Based, West Midlands, GB

Contract Type: Full Time

Location: Solihull, hybrid role

12 Month FTC, Full time

Salary: £56,650 + Car allowance

What We Do

We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.

Business Analyst

Join us as a Business Analyst and play a critical role in supporting the financial performance, control and commercial success of a growing Defence infrastructure business. Working closely with Finance Business Partners, commercial teams and operational stakeholders, you'll provide the insight, analysis and financial governance needed to ensure accurate reporting, informed decision-making and strong financial performance across a complex portfolio of contracts.

This is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified accountant or finance professional looking to develop their business partnering experience within a fast-paced and commercially focused environment. You'll go beyond traditional reporting, using financial data to understand operational performance, identify risks and opportunities, and influence positive business outcomes.

You’ll be at the heart of key financial processes, supporting month-end reporting, analysing profitability, investigating variances and ensuring the integrity of financial records. By working across finance, commercial and operational teams, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how the business operates, helping to drive improvements in financial control, forecasting accuracy and commercial performance.

With a portfolio worth over £0.6bn annually and significant growth opportunities ahead, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic organisation where your contribution will have a real impact and your career can continue to develop alongside the business.

This role offers flexible working, combining home-based working with regular travel across the UK to support operational teams, business leadership and customer requirements. Flexibility to travel at short notice when required will be important to success in the role.

What You'll Bring

You’ll be a qualified accountant holding ACA, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent professional qualification. This role is ideally suited to someone who has recently qualified and is keen to build broader commercial and business partnering experience while developing their career within a complex operational environment.

You’ll have a strong understanding of financial reporting, management accounting and financial controls, supported by sound knowledge of IFRS and technical accounting principles. You’ll be comfortable analysing financial performance, interpreting complex transactions and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial records.

A naturally inquisitive mindset is essential. You’ll enjoy investigating financial data, identifying discrepancies and understanding the underlying causes of financial results. Whether reviewing billable works transactions, analysing accrual balances or investigating cost allocations, you’ll demonstrate strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

You’ll be highly confident working with large and complex datasets, using financial and operational information to provide meaningful insight and support effective decision-making. Advanced Excel skills are essential, including the ability to manipulate, analyse and present data in a clear and concise manner for a variety of stakeholders.

You’ll bring strong commercial awareness and be able to balance detailed financial analysis with an understanding of wider business objectives. You’ll be comfortable evaluating profitability, assessing financial risks and opportunities, and providing recommendations that support strategic decision-making and commercial performance.

Experience contributing to budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities will be advantageous, along with an understanding of how financial outcomes are influenced by operational delivery. You’ll be able to interpret business performance through both financial and non-financial measures, linking operational KPIs to financial results.

Strong communication skills are crucial. You’ll be able to explain financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance audiences, challenge assumptions constructively and build effective relationships across a range of stakeholders. Experience working alongside operational or commercial teams in a business partnering capacity would be beneficial.

Knowledge of SAP or similar ERP systems would be advantageous, although a strong ability to learn and adapt to new financial and operational systems is equally important. Experience working with asset management, facilities management or project-related financial environments would also be beneficial.

Previous experience within Defence, infrastructure, engineering, construction, facilities management or asset-intensive industries would be helpful but is not essential. What matters most is your ability to understand complex business processes, identify opportunities for improvement and use financial insight to support better business decisions.

You’ll be a proactive and solutions-focused individual who enjoys improving processes, enhancing controls and identifying efficiencies through automation and smarter ways of working. You’ll be comfortable managing multiple priorities, working independently and collaborating across teams to achieve results.

Most importantly, you’ll combine technical accounting expertise with commercial curiosity and a desire to make a difference. If you’re looking for a role where you can develop your business partnering skills, gain exposure to senior stakeholders and contribute to the success of a growing organisation, this is an excellent opportunity to take the next step in your finance career.

What We Offer

• 6% employee matched pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Car allowance (£3,600)
• Single private medical cover
• Life assurance 2x annual salary