Commercial Finance Analyst

PA Consulting; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm in the UK is seeking a Commercial Finance Analyst to support financial analysis and reporting. You will work closely with stakeholders, ensuring timely reporting and compliance. Ideal candidates have a strong financial background, excellent analytical and communication skills, and must hold a UK 2:1 degree in Finance/Accounting or equivalent. This role supports a hybrid working model with two in-office days per week.

Qualifications

• Strong data analysis and Excel skills.
• Effective communication with finance and non-finance personnel.
• Prior management accounting or financial analysis experience.

Responsibilities

• Support Monthly reporting of Business Unit results.
• Prepare forecasts and budget analysis for the Business Units.
• Ensure SOX compliance in financial activities.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Financial analysis

Technical financial skills

Data analysis

Prioritization

Education

UK 2:1 degree in Finance/Accounting or equivalent

A-level: 3 B grades

Part/Qualified Accountant

Tools

Excel

Accounting systems

Job description

Overview

The Commercial Finance Analyst (CFA) works within the Commercial Finance team, supporting Commercial Finance Managers with business partnering and real-time financial analysis. The CFA supports the CFM in providing accurate and timely reporting of weekly and monthly results with variance analysis, reviewing costs budgets, ensuring revenue is recognised correctly, maintaining SOX compliance, and handling ad-hoc analyses and projects. The team aims to maximise the financial outturn of the firm and drive best commercial practice. The role provides an opportunity to develop commercial finance skills, work closely with consulting teams managing project commercials, and expand networks within Finance, other BP functions, and consulting teams.

What does it take to be a good Commercial Finance Analyst? It is the mix of analytical, commercial, technical financial, and communication skills that underpin successful business partnering.

Key responsibilities

• Work with the Commercial Finance Manager(s) to provide financial, operational and strategic support to the Go-to-Market (GtM) leads, Partners and Leadership team.
• Complete monthly reporting of Business Unit results, including preparation and follow-up of variance analysis for the GtM Lead.
• Prepare forecasts and budget analysis for the Business Units for the GtM lead and FP&A.
• Support monthly subcontractor revenue and cost accruals by reviewing submissions from business teams for accuracy.
• Support revenue recognition reviews for Month/Quarter ends, including:
  • checking and following up FP%Complete cost budget confirmations from business teams
  • strengthening processes and documentation capture for T&M writebacks
• Produce bespoke Sub-Sector Revenue, SOW & Pipeline reports for revenue forecasting.
• Provide monthly and ad-hoc reporting for specific GTM and Capabilities Streams.
• Support the CFM in advising the partner group on financial aspects for assignments, bids, proposals, pricing, and reviewing commercial contracts.
• Prepare ad-hoc financial analyses and manage ad-hoc queries on GTM and capability financials.
• Develop key reports and ensure they are kept up to date.
• Work with the CFM to complete internal and external audit requirements.
• Perform expense and cost analysis, including investigation of out-of-policy or anomalous spend.
• Ensure all financial activities follow processes and are SOX compliant.
• Support the Project Administrator with project queries and technical accounting questions.
• Prepare IFRS templates throughout the audit cycle.
• Be a finance go-to for all GTM colleagues and take responsibility to find creative solutions to problems.
• Build and work across a network of colleagues in different functions.
• Hybrid working: minimum in-office or on client site two days per week; actual days may vary by role or assignment.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a UK 2:1 degree in Finance/Accounting or equivalent.
• A-level: 3 B grades.
• Part/Qualified Accountant or interest in starting Professional Qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA).

Experience

• Prior management accounting or financial analysis experience.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders in a busy or challenging environment.
• Strong data analysis and Excel skills.
• Strong communication skills with Finance and Non-Finance Partners.

Skills / Personal Qualities

• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, IF formulas, data manipulation).
• Ability to communicate effectively with finance and non-finance personnel at all levels.
• Enthusiastic team player.
• Knowledge of accounting systems is advantageous.
• Ability to respond swiftly to changing business and management demands.
• Strong prioritisation and time management abilities.
• Ability and interest to resolve complex commercial issues and influence stakeholders.

Additional information

Some PA Consulting UK roles require UK security clearance. All PA employees are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard; some roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, which may require at least 5 years of continuous UK residency. If unsure about eligibility, review the UK Government guidance on security vetting before applying. Please note that some content relates to company benefits and the broader Life at PA program.

Company Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future. Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists with expertise across industries and regions.