Finance Business Partner

South West Water Limited; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

South West Water Limited is seeking Finance Business Partners to support its Capital Delivery Finance Team in Exeter. The role involves management accounting for a significant capital investment programme, requiring strong analytical and financial modelling skills. Successful candidates will enjoy a competitive salary, benefits, and the opportunity to work part-time remotely while contributing to essential projects.

Benefits

Discretionary company bonus

Competitive contributory pension

Generous holiday allowance plus options for buying/selling leave

Support platform for wellbeing

Discounts on supermarket purchases and travel through Perkbox

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in finance required.
• Experience in a project-oriented and/or engineering environment is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts, including accruals, prepayments, and variance investigations.
• Lead Business Partnering to the Engineering Function and key capital projects.
• Develop and prepare management information for Capital Finance Director.

Skills

Strong Excel skills

Relationship management

Analytical skills

Financial modelling skills

Knowledge of forecasting/variance analysis/scenario modelling

Education

Degree level or equivalent level of experience

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Job description

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to be leading the way in the water and renewables industries. Alongside our subsidiaries - South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power - we’re committed to delivering a sustainable future of our region. Because we know that by continually driving up our standards today, we’ll build a better tomorrow for our communities.

As a result of significant growth in the capital investment programme, an exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit 3 x Finance Business Partners to join our Capital Delivery Finance Team based in Exeter. You will join on a permanent basis at a salary of up to £50,000 depending on experience, plus benefits. You will have opportunity to work from home but will need to be in our Exeter office for three days per week.

The role

As Finance Business Partner in the Capital Delivery Finance Team, you will perform an integral role supporting the delivery of an unprecedented £3.2bn capital investment programme across the Group. You will be responsible for management accounting of the capital programme and provide financial support to business directorates and management teams, preparing insightful analysisand financial information to facilitate effective data-driven decision making.

What you’ll be doing

• Preparation of the monthly management accounts including preparation of accruals, prepayments and provisions, processing of journals and investigation of variances.
• Analysis of performance, reporting on variances to budget/forecast, undertake investigation and work with management teams to correct performance.
• Development and preparation of high-quality reports and management information for the Capital Finance Director and Programme/Project Management Teams
• Lead the Business Partnering to the Engineering Function and key capital projects, performing as the financial point of contact for senior managers and presenting analysis at monthly programme reviews.
• Preparation and ownership of journal logs and balance sheet reconciliations for approval by the Senior Finance Business Partner and Head of Business Reporting and Analysis.
• Lead continuous improvement of the reporting processes.
• Lead the production of annual detailed driver-based budgets based on business performance in coordination with business function management teams.
• Lead the production of quarterly forecasts taking into account any deviations from budget.
• Support the Senior Finance Business Partner in the preparation of financial information for Annual Performance Reporting and Price Review submissions.
• Provide support and analysis for regulatory accounting and submissions.

What we’re looking for

• Substantial experience in finance
• Relationship management
• Background in project accounting
• Experience in a project orientated and/or engineering environment
• Knowledge of forecasting/variance analysis/scenario modelling
• Strong Excel skills (Pivot tables, lookup formulas etc)
• Strong commercial/contract background
• Strong analytical skills
• Financial modelling skills
• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified
• Degree level or equivalent level of experience

What's in it for you

• We know that the support and commitment of our staff is key to our success so you will receive the opportunity for ongoing support and development for a long-term career with us. We’re one of the largest companies in the South West and are proud to have been awarded Investors in People recognition.
• In return, we offer an excellent range of benefits including:
• A discretionary company bonus
• Competitive Contributory Pension
• Invest in Pennon through our employee Sharesave scheme
• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays, with an option to buy / sell leave offering you extra flexibility
• Take up to 26 weeks’ additional maternity leave
• Shared parental leave
• Look after your wellbeing through our Champion Health support platform
• Enjoy free eye tests and discounts on frames and lenses at Specsavers
• Enjoy access to thousands of deals and discounts on supermarkets, online retailer, travel, eating out, cinema, gyms and more through Perkbox

Closing date: 2nd July 2025

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values which are essential to our success are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.