Finance Business Partner

Network Rail; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A key transportation firm is looking for a Finance Business Partner in Cardiff. This role focuses on providing financial advice and guidance, managing corporate governance, and supporting business leaders in understanding financial impacts. Candidates should have strong accounting knowledge and experience, be members of CIMA or ACCA, and display excellent communication skills. The salary range is £43,588 to £51,719, with a fixed-term contract ending in April 2026.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working environment

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Membership (Or working towards a membership) of a relevant accounting body.
• Significant experience within relevant finance disciplines.
• Ability to interpret technical accounting regulations into everyday language.

Responsibilities

• Lead and provide financial advice to senior budget holders.
• Manage corporate governance and compliance with financial regulations.
• Identify and manage commercial risks impacting business decisions.

Skills

Strong understanding of business needs and accounting standards

Strong excel skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Effective influencing skills

Education

Membership of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA)

Degree or equivalent qualification in finance or business management

Tools

Oracle based systems

Job description

Overview

About Network Rail

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here.

Brief Description

To work with the supported business leadership team, under the direction of the Financial Controller/Senior Finance Business Partner, to deliver professional finance and accounting advice. Provides proactive, value add finance support to the business leaders across the function/route.

Please note; this is a 6 month fixed term opportunity ending in April 2026

About the role (External)

• Lead and provide financial advice and guidance to senior budget holders in understanding the impact of the period results and forecasts against budgets so they can understand their business better.
• Be the expert in the function on accounting practices and advise on financial results and forecasts for budget holders, including preparing period accruals, transfers and adjustments to validate accounts are reflective, relevant.
• Manage corporate governance throughout the cost centres they manage, conducting deep dives and reviewing compliance with financial regulations to protect the business from legal or negative consequences.
• Deliver expert and accurate business review information and reporting, and highlight any significant issues with financial and other business results to enable informed decision making by the business area.
• Engage and influence senior members of the team to help them understand their financial position and use professional expertise to guide in initiatives to improve business performance.
• Build bottom up, detailed plans to manage and develop the production of business plans and budgets to enable good corporate governance and value add analysis for senior leaders.
• Identify and proactively manage commercial risks, including the financial suitability of new customers or suppliers reducing the potential risk impact on the business area and influencing decision makers.
• Manage the performance of central accounting functions to deliver for the cost centre area to enable an efficiently and effective accounting service.
• Collate, investigate and make recommendation for investment appraisals and business case analysis to aid business decisions.
• Model and analyse cost base and identify and drive opportunities and efficiencies to achieve area targets.

Essential

• Demonstrate strong understanding of business needs and relevant application of accounting standards
• Membership (Or working towards a membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA)
• Expert knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining accounts and annual budget
• Significant experience within relevant finance disciplines
• Strong excel skills and use of data manipulation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to interpret technical accounting regulations into everyday language
• Demonstrable effective influencing skills at a senior level
• Significant understanding of financial control and risk
• Excellent technical finance and accounting knowledge

Desirable

• Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects
• Membership of a relevant accounting body
• Extensive experience of Oracle based systems
• Degree or equivalent qualification in finance and accounting or business management or experience

How to apply (External)

Salary: £43,588 to £51,719

Closing date: 3 October 2025. - Late applications will not be accepted.

Click apply now to apply.

This is a fixed term opportunity ending on 30 April 2025

This role is based in Cardiff

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****