Finance Business Partner (2 job opportunities available - Cardiff (Canton)/Cardiff St. Patrick's Hou

Network Rail; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a Finance Business Partner to support financial operations across different Cardiff locations. The role involves providing proactive financial guidance, managing governance, and aiding business leaders with insights into financial performance. Ideal candidates will have significant finance experience, relevant qualifications, and strong analytical skills.

Benefits

75% discount on leisure travel

Subsidy on rail season tickets

Discounted healthcare club membership

35-hour weekly contract

5 days paid volunteering leave

Family-friendly support

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of business needs.
• Significant experience in relevant finance disciplines.
• Ability to translate regulations into accessible language.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial advice to senior budget holders.
• Manage corporate governance and compliance.
• Deliver accurate business review reports.

Skills

Accounting Standards

Financial Analysis

Excel

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Risk Management

Education

Membership or working towards CIMA/ACCA

Degree or equivalent in finance, accounting, or business management

Tools

Oracle Systems

Job description

Finance Business Partner (2 job opportunities available - Cardiff (Canton)/Cardiff St. Patrick's House)

About Network Rail
At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people, and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network.
Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!

The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway, serving communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula.

Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day. We are empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices, take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

• Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel, including family members.
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
• GWR ticket alliance - Heavily discounted all-day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family across the GWR network.
• Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and various discounts on childcare, healthcare, and online shopping.
• A range of pension schemes to choose from.
• Work-life balance with a 35-hour weekly contract, hybrid working, and family-friendly support.
• 5 days paid volunteering leave.
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.

In Wales and Western region, you can join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme, to appreciate colleagues demonstrating outstanding values and behaviors.

To find out more about the benefits at Network Rail, click here.

We aim to deliver a railway that is safe, reliable, affordable, and provides excellent customer service. For more information about Network Rail, 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-added finance support to business leaders across the function/route.

Please note there are 2 job opportunities available (Cardiff (Canton)/Cardiff St. Patrick's House)

Role Responsibilities (External)

1. Lead and provide financial advice and guidance to senior budget holders, helping them understand the impact of results and forecasts against budgets.
2. Be the expert on accounting practices within the function, advising on financial results, forecasts, and preparing period accruals, transfers, and adjustments.
3. Manage corporate governance across cost centres, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
4. Deliver accurate business review reports, highlighting significant issues for informed decision-making.
5. Engage with senior team members to improve their understanding of financial positions and guide initiatives to enhance performance.
6. Develop detailed bottom-up plans for business planning and budgeting, ensuring good governance and value addition.
7. Identify and manage commercial risks proactively, including assessing new customers or suppliers.
8. Oversee central accounting functions to ensure efficient service delivery.
9. Prepare investment appraisals and business case analyses to support business decisions.
10. Model and analyze cost bases, identifying opportunities for efficiency and target achievement.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Strong understanding of business needs and accounting standards.
• Membership or working towards membership of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA).
• Experience in creating and maintaining accounts and budgets.
• Significant experience in relevant finance disciplines.
• Strong Excel skills and data manipulation abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret technical regulations into accessible language.
• Effective influencing skills at senior levels.
• Understanding of financial control and risk management.
• Excellent technical finance and accounting knowledge.

Desirable Qualifications

• Understanding of project management principles and experience managing complex projects.
• Membership of a relevant accounting body.
• Experience with Oracle systems.
• Degree or equivalent in finance, accounting, or business management.

How to apply (External)

Salary: £43,588 to £50,018 per annum.

Closing date: 13th June 2025.

Please submit your application as soon as possible; the advert may close early if enough applications are received. Late applications will not be considered.

Click 'apply now' to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer valuing diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. More info.

Diversity and inclusion are core to our values. We work with regional networks to support under-represented groups and ensure an inclusive environment.

If you need support with your application or interview, contact [e-mail] or visit the Connect page. For other support, contact your HR Business Partner.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and will make reasonable adjustments to support applicants with disabilities. Visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for accessibility advice. Add notes for adjustments in your application if needed.

All employment offers are conditional on pre-employment checks. More info.

Some roles require passing a drugs and alcohol test; a positive result will lead to rescinding the offer and a 5-year ban from safety-critical roles.

Safety is fundamental at Network Rail. Demonstrate your commitment to safety in your application.