Finance Analyst

WH Smith PLC; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

4pm Friday finish

Flexible working

24 days holiday + birthday

Family friendly leave

Company pension

Annual bonus

Cycle to work

Staff discount card

Job summary

WHSmith Europe is seeking a Finance Analyst to ensure accurate stock reporting and support loss prevention across the business. You will analyse audit data, investigate anomalies and produce monthly KPIs, working closely with internal teams and contractors.

This is a detail-focused role suited to someone who enjoys working with data, solving problems and making informed decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent IT and PC skills, with confidence using standard business systems and software
• Good understanding of store operations and processes
• Basic understanding of financial ledgers and accounting principles
• Results-driven with a strong focus on achieving objectives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities
• Proactive approach to identifying issues and developing practical solution

Responsibilities

• Producing accurate Stock Audit balances
• Owning the identification of audit result anomalies and resolve them through further investigation
• Production of monthly Loss Prevention KPI's
• Trial to final balance decisions particularly in areas of ambiguity
• Data collection from outsourced contractors and internal systems to produce stock audit balances
• Producing trial stock audit balances
• Producing and publishing final balances following a quality assurance checking process
• Curating monthly Loss Prevention KPI's and deal with queries from Field Loss Prevention team

Skills

Analytical thinking

IT skills

Store operations

Accounting basics

Communication skills

Adaptability

Problem solving

Job description

PLEASE NOTE: As part of our organisational changes, our ongoing structure and roles continue to be reviewed. While this role is being advertised, circumstances may change and the role could be withdrawn/amended.

At WHSmith Europe our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers, the ones that enable our growth. As a Finance Analyst you'll play a key role in ensuring accurate stock reporting and supporting effective loss prevention across the business. You'll analyse audit data, investigate anomalies, produce accurate stock balances and monthly KPIs, and work closely with internal teams and contractors to ensure high-quality results. This is a detail-focused role suited to someone who enjoys working with data, solving problems and making informed decisions in a fast-paced environment.

What you will be doing:

• Producing accurate Stock Audit balances
• Owing the identification of audit result anomalies and resolve them through further investigation
• Production of monthly Loss Prevention KPI's
• Trial to final balance decisions particularly in areas of ambiguity
• Data collection from outsourced contractors and internal systems to produce stock audit balances
• Producing trial stock audit balances
• Producing and publishing final balances following a quality assurance checking process
• Curating monthly Loss Prevention KPI's and deal with queries from Field Loss Prevention team.

What we are looking for:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent IT and PC skills, with confidence using standard business systems and software
• Good understanding of store operations and processes
• Basic understanding of financial ledgers and accounting principles
• Results-driven with a strong focus on achieving objectives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities
• Proactive approach to identifying issues and developing practical solution

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model from home and in the office
• 4pm Friday Finish
• Flexible Working
• 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
• Family Friendly Leave
• Company Pension scheme
• Annual Bonus based on company and personal performance
• Competitive Salary
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff Discount Card for railway stores (subject to policy)

About us:

Celebrating over 230 years, we're proud to have grown into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries - the air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey. As a diverse group of over 6,000 colleagues, we're all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

Our business operates from two key locations, In a vibrant area of London, close to Aldgate and Liverpool Street Station, while the other is located at Swindon's International Business Park, just off the M4 with excellent transport links and over 100 on-site parking spaces.

For WHSmith Europe, our mission is simple - to create value for our stakeholders by providing a platform for global brands across airports, hospitals, rail stations and other markets. Our operational environment is fast-paced and highly regulated, requiring exceptional standards of maintenance, compliance, health & safety and colleague welfare across every location.

We're all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you-you're welcome here.

We're also open to flexible working where possible, so if that's something you need, let's chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know-we're happy to help!