Finance Systems & Reporting Specialist

AQA Recruiting; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

AQA is seeking a Finance Systems & Reporting Specialist on a 12-month FTC in Manchester. You will manage Workday Adaptive Planning, develop budgets, forecasts and monthly reports, and build dashboards to enable data-driven finance decisions.

This hybrid role combines finance, systems, automation and AI-enabled finance initiatives across the organisation. Reporting to the Financial Planning and Analysis Manager, you will partner with stakeholders to deliver practical system solutions and

Qualifications

• Experience administering, developing or supporting Adaptive Planning or similar enterprise planning systems.
• Strong FP&A experience including budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Ability to translate business requirements into system solutions with data-driven insights.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day administration of Adaptive Planning and related financial reporting systems.
• Maintain system structures, models and hierarchies to ensure data quality and accuracy.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, medium-term planning and month-end reporting processes.
• Develop and enhance dashboards, reports and visualisations for business insights.
• Collaborate with finance and business stakeholders to translate requirements into practical system solutions.
• Identify opportunities for automation, process improvement and AI-enabled efficiencies.
• Support continuous improvement projects and build internal systems capability.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder communication

Dashboards & reporting

Automation & AI awareness

FP&A processes knowledge

Budgeting & forecasting

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA desirable

Tools

Workday Adaptive Planning

Job description

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Finance Systems & Reporting Specialist FTC 12 Months - covering increased project work and planned leave Manchester £45,000 - £51,000 Working arrangements: Hybrid – two days a week in the office

Help shape the future of finance systems, reporting and planning at AQA. Upon joining AQA, you will play a key role in enhancing the systems and reporting that support business decision‑making across the organisation.

Reporting to the Financial Planning and Analysis Manager, you will be responsible for the ongoing development, optimisation and support of our financial planning and reporting tools, helping colleagues access meaningful insights and improve financial performance.

This is an exciting opportunity to combine finance, systems expertise and innovation, including the use of automation and AI-enabled solutions.

Key responsibilities:

• Supporting the day-to-day administration of Adaptive Planning and related financial reporting systems.
• Maintaining system structures, models and hierarchies to ensure data quality and accuracy.
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting, medium-term planning and month-end reporting processes.
• Developing and enhancing dashboards, reports and visualisations that provide valuable business insight.
• Working with finance and business stakeholders to translate requirements into practical system solutions.
• Identifying opportunities for automation, process improvement and AI-enabled efficiencies.
• Supporting continuous improvement projects and helping build internal systems capability.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience administering, developing or supporting Workday Adaptive Planning or a similar enterprise planning system.
• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, financial planning or management reporting processes.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with complex datasets.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, translating complex information into clear and accessible insights.

What’s in it for you?

• Exposure to a broad range of finance and business stakeholders.
• Opportunities to contribute to systems enhancements, automation initiatives and AI-enabled finance solutions.
• A 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working.
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30), plus Christmas closure days.
• Pension - is up to 11.5 percent employer pension contribution

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy ensures that everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Need to know (to be successful in this role, you will need to know):

• Demonstrable experience administering, developing or supporting Adaptive Planning (Workday Adaptive Planning) or similar enterprise planning systems.
• Strong understanding of FP&A processes including budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Experience translating business requirements into system solutions.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with large and complex datasets.
• Experience developing dashboards, reports and visual storytelling techniques.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines.
• Continuous improvement mindset with an interest in automation, technology and AI-enabled finance processes.
• Experience working in a finance, FP&A, business systems or finance transformation environment.
• Desirable Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at [e-mail] or on 07813 724161. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non‑recruitment enquiries. If you have query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact: [e-mail]

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly. For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here.

Contact

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