Finance Analyst

StowAg; Longborough; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-owned agricultural business in Longborough is seeking a Finance professional to lead automation in finance processes and analyze performance metrics. The ideal candidate will have AAT qualifications and strong analytical skills, contributing to financial forecasting and budgeting in a growing environment. The role offers a supportive culture with unique perks like volunteer days and team-building activities.

Benefits

Free lunch on the last Friday of each month

2 fully paid volunteer days every year

Training budget for every department

Employee recognition with monthly vouchers

Annual team-building day

Annual Christmas party

Qualifications

• Experience working in a finance environment.
• Ability to ask questions that lead to improvements.
• Experience with financial analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Implement automated supplier invoice matching.
• Prepare cashflow forecasts and communicate challenges.
• Prepare monthly accounts up to trial balance.
• Conduct monthly results analysis.
• Prepare annual budget with variance analysis.
• Complete VAT returns.
• Support daily bank reconciliations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Curiosity

Stakeholder negotiation

Excellent verbal communication

Teamwork

Education

AAT or equivalent qualifications

Tools

Integrated ERP system

Job description

About The Company

StowAg is a family-owned business that has been supporting farmers, agricultural contractors, equestrians, and rural communities across the Cotswolds and beyond since 1969. With stores in Longborough, Thame, Hereford and Alton and a 12-acre timber yard, we offer over 20,000 products, from nuts and bolts to fencing and large animal handling systems.

Our HQ is based in the beautiful Cotswold village of Longborough, surrounded by public footpaths for lunchtime walks and fresh air.

Joining us means working alongside a friendly and experienced team. Our staff includes local reps who visit farms, qualified Animal Medicines Advisors, and a dedicated logistics department that handles our in-house delivery service. Some colleagues have been with us for over 20 years, reflecting the supportive environment and the value we place on our people.

While we have strong traditional roots, we’re committed to progress. We invest in new ideas, support training and development across all departments, and continue to grow – recently launching our own brand of agricultural fencing, with more exciting projects to come.

We’re well connected: just a short drive from the M5 and M40, and within reach of Bristol, Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Banbury, Leamington Spa and Witney.

Why work with us?

• Great people and a friendly culture
• Free lunch on the last Friday of each month
• 2 fully paid volunteer days every year
• Training budget for every department
• Employee recognition with monthly vouchers that can be won
• Annual team-building day
• Annual Christmas party

If you like the idea of joining a company that’s rooted in its community, values its people, and always looks to the future, we’d love to hear from you.

Role Summary

As StowAg continues to grow there is a need to evolve the finance function to manage the increased complexity. This permanent role will initially lead those automation opportunities whilst building sophistication across the core finance tasks. Monthly analysis of departmental and company performance will help to drive change, working with stakeholders to ensure adherence to plans and targets. The role will play an integral part in the forecasting and budgeting processes, building an FP&A capability.

Responsibilities

• Work with IT colleagues to implement automated supplier invoice matching. Focus on continuous improvements to improve the completion match percentage so all supplier invoices are processed and paid to terms. Non-matched invoices or one-off suppliers to be manually processed.
• Preparation and ownership of the cashflow forecast, communicating opportunities and challenges in a timely manner.
• Month end accounts preparation up to trial balance. Focus on accurate record keeping as the company is subject to a full annual audit.
• Monthly results analysis to be prepared, together with ad-hoc investigations and reports across all aspects of the business.
• Preparation of the annual budget with regular re-forecasts. Regular variance analysis to offer insights into company performance.
• VAT returns to be completed.
• Support for daily bank account reconciliations, including ledger cash posting – both payments and receipts.
• Support for finance colleagues, taking inbound supplier/customer calls and helping with queries especially during holidays.
• Longer term opportunities exist to support other group companies’ finance teams, ensuring accurate reporting up for consolidation.

Skills

• AAT or equivalent qualifications as a preference, supported by experience of working in a finance environment.
• Experience with an integrated ERP system.
• Analytical skills and thorough attention to detail.
• Curiosity – be open to different ways of thinking and operating. Enjoy asking questions that lead to improvements and change.
• The ability to listen and negotiate with stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal communication.
• Persistence and determination.
• Ability to work well in a team.