Finance Analyst

Laing O'Rourke; Dartford; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Laing O'Rourke in Dartford is seeking a motivated Financial Analyst on a 12-month fixed-term contract to own a £117m overhead budget and work with senior stakeholders across the business. You will lead budgeting, forecasting, and monthly reporting, delivering timely insights to inform financial and operational decisions.

Responsibilities include partnering with budget holders, maintaining controls, performing scenario analyses, and supporting sustainability-related reporting and improvements.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant designation (or finalist) with strong budgeting and reporting experience.
• Proven ability to lead budgeting, forecasting and monthly reporting processes.
• Excellent analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Confident communicator capable of building relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise deadlines.
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with finance systems and tools.

Responsibilities

• Own budgeting, forecasting and monthly reporting across overhead areas.
• Monitor performance against plan and explain variances clearly.
• Provide insight to support better financial and operational decisions.
• Partner with budget holders and senior leaders to challenge spend.
• Deliver month-end reporting and maintain strong financial controls.
• Perform scenario modelling and ad-hoc analyses as required.
• Support project cost recharge processes and drive process improvements.
• Collaborate with international finance teams and support executive reporting.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Monthly reporting

Analytical skills

Stakeholder communication

Organisational skills

Advanced Excel

Finance systems

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or finalist

Tools

Power BI

Python

COINs

Tagetik

OLAP cubes

Job description

Based: Dartford

12 months fixed term contract

We're looking for a motivated and detail-driven Financial Analyst to join our team on a 12‑month fixed-term contract. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a significant £117m overhead budget, working closely with senior stakeholders across the business. You'll play an important role in shaping financial performance, improving processes, and providing valuable insight that helps teams make better decisions.

Responsibilities

• Own budgeting & forecasting processes

  • Lead annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and monthly reporting across assigned overhead areas
  • Monitor performance against plan and clearly explain variances
  • Provide insight to support better financial and operational decision-making

• Partner with stakeholders

  • Build strong relationships with budget holders, including senior leaders
  • Provide support, guidance, and constructive challenge on spend
  • Help identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs

• Ensure accurate financial reporting & controls

  • Deliver timely and accurate month-end reporting
  • Maintain strong financial controls and ensure compliance with policies
  • Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations

• Deliver meaningful insight & analysis

  • Highlight key risks and opportunities across overhead cost areas
  • Carry out scenario modelling and ad-hoc analysis to support business needs
  • Support audits by preparing documentation and responding to queries

• Support projects & continuous improvement

  • Lead project cost recharge processes, ensuring clarity and accuracy
  • Contribute to sustainability grant reporting and maximise available funding
  • Identify ways to improve processes and drive efficiencies

• Collaborate and support the wider team

  • Work closely with international finance teams during month-end
  • Support the preparation of executive-level reporting packs
  • Share knowledge and support the development of junior team members

Skills & Experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or finalist
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and monthly reporting
• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail
• Confident communicator, able to build relationships at all levels
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Advanced Excel skills and good familiarity with finance systems

Desirable

• Experience with COINs, Tagetik and/or OLAP cubes
• Experience presenting financial information to non-finance stakeholders
• Experience using data tools such as Power BI or Python

About You

You're someone who takes pride in your work and enjoys getting into the detail while still seeing the bigger picture. You're naturally curious, proactive, and always looking for ways to improve how things are done. You enjoy working with others, sharing ideas, and building strong relationships and you're comfortable communicating with a wide range of people across the business.