Cost Controlling Analyst

Manpower UK Ltd; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 45,142,574 - 61,080,028; Full time

Job summary

Manpower UK Ltd in Milton Keynes is seeking a Cost Controlling Analyst to drive financial performance through budgeting, cost control and forecasting. You will partner with senior stakeholders to deliver high-quality analytical insights and recommended actions to mitigate financial risks.

The role involves managing month-end processes, developing cost reports from SAP, and supporting various finance projects while maintaining strong cross-functional relationships.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in finance, controlling or cost management roles.
• Strong financial analysis, reporting and forecasting experience.
• Advanced MS Excel skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical capability.
• Ability to manage workload, prioritise effectively and work under pressure.
• Confident communicator, able to challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager - Change Controlling and the wider Controlling function in accurate forecasting, budget management and benefit delivery
• Monitor and analyse cost centre budgets against the latest HQ forecast, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions
• Maintain a strong understanding of overhead and capital expenditure, holding regular review meetings with cost centre managers
• Drive and track cost optimisation initiatives against agreed targets
• Develop and maintain the monthly total company overheads report using SAP data, ensuring material variances are clearly explained
• Manage month-end processes to strict deadlines, providing insightful commentary on movements
• Process month-end and year-end journals in SAP, ensuring costs are accurately recorded by project, cost centre, account and period
• Identify and implement process efficiencies, particularly around month-end close and automation
• Prepare structured presentations and insights to support effective storytelling and decision-making
• Support ad-hoc finance projects, analysis, investigations and IT/Finance system testing as required
• Build strong working relationships across Finance, Controlling, HQ and the wider business to share best practice

Skills

Finance experience

Cost management

Forecasting

Advanced Excel

Attention to detail

Stakeholder communication

Work under pressure

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Cost Controlling Analyst

Department: Controlling

Location: Milton Keynes

Salary: £19.77 PH

Contract: Temp, until end of 2026.

We are looking for a Cost Controlling Analyst to join our team in Milton Keynes. This role plays a key part in driving financial performance through effective budget management, cost control, forecasting and insightful business partnering across the organisation. You will support senior stakeholders by delivering high-quality financial analysis, improving cost efficiency, and providing actionable insights that support informed decision-making at all levels of the business. You will provide recommended action plans to budget holders and resource managers, supporting mitigation of financial risks and issues and influencing decision-making across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager - Change Controlling and the wider Controlling function in accurate forecasting, budget management and benefit delivery
• Monitor and analyse cost centre budgets against the latest HQ forecast, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions
• Maintain a strong understanding of overhead and capital expenditure, holding regular review meetings with cost centre managers
• Drive and track cost optimisation initiatives against agreed targets
• Develop and maintain the monthly total company overheads report using SAP data, ensuring material variances are clearly explained
• Manage month-end processes to strict deadlines, providing insightful commentary on movements
• Process month-end and year-end journals in SAP, ensuring costs are accurately recorded by project, cost centre, account and period
• Identify and implement process efficiencies, particularly around month-end close and automation
• Prepare structured presentations and insights to support effective storytelling and decision-making
• Support ad-hoc finance projects, analysis, investigations and IT/Finance system testing as required
• Build strong working relationships across Finance, Controlling, HQ and the wider business to share best practice

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Proven experience in finance, controlling or cost management roles
• Strong financial analysis, reporting and forecasting experience
• Advanced MS Excel skills
• Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical capability
• Ability to manage workload, prioritise effectively and work under pressure
• Confident communicator, able to challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels

Desirable

• Experience with SAP
• Data visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau)
• Working towards a professional qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) or equivalent experience

About our client:

A leading provider of financial services and mobility solutions, supporting vehicle finance, leasing and related financial products. Our focus is on delivering strong financial performance, innovation and high-quality service within a fast-paced, commercial environment.