Financial Planning Analyst

Acorn Care and Education; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education provider in the UK is seeking a Financial Planning Analyst to enhance financial planning and reporting processes. This role includes responsibilities for management reporting, budget participation, and performance analysis. Ideal candidates will have financial analysis experience, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Excel. An attractive salary of up to £55,000 per annum is offered, along with a flexible benefits package and the potential for remote work arrangements.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme with enhancement options

Access to mental health support services

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Flexible Benefits Platform

Qualifications

• Experience in financial analysis, FP&A, management accounting or commercial finance within a fast-paced organisation.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Ability to present financial information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Support monthly management reporting and performance analysis.
• Participate in annual budgeting and forecasting cycles.
• Monitor and analyse financial performance against budgets.

Skills

Financial analysis

Strong analytical skills

Advanced Excel capability

Strong communication skills

Collaboration

Curiosity and proactive learning

Education

Part-qualified or fully qualified (e.g. CIMA/ACCA/ACA)

Tools

ERP systems

Power BI

Job description

We’re reimagining work/life balance – and you could be part of it. At OFG, we're proud to be part of the 4-Day Working Week trial – a bold step toward giving our teams more time to recharge, refresh, and enjoy life outside of work. That means you could be working 80% of your usual hours, while still earning 100% of your pay. If the trial proves successful, we’ll roll out the 4DWW across the Group – making now the perfect time to join #TeamOFG and help shape the future of work.

Job Title: Financial Planning Analyst

Location: Remote (Travel to Manchester office 1-2 days a week)

Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm

About us

At Outcomes First Group, we believe every child can thrive when given the right environment for success. As one of the world’s leading providers in our sector, we deliver exceptional, research‑led education tailored to each individual, with smaller class sizes and personalised learning plans.

Our vision is to empower every child with a world‑class education that nurtures potential and inspires lifelong learning, our mission is to unlock that potential through personalised learning and opportunity, and our promise is simple: we listen, we work together, and we are accountable to one another to make the remarkable happen.

Job purpose

To provide high‑quality financial planning, analysis and reporting to the finance leadership and operational teams to drive business performance, foster understanding and support growth.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Group FP&A function with monthly management reporting, performance analysis and preparation of board‑level insights.
• Participate in the annual budgeting process and periodic re‑forecast cycles, partnering with finance and operational teams to ensure accurate and aligned plans.
• Monitor and analyse financial performance vs. budget/forecast, highlighting key trends, risks and opportunities.
• Produce and develop regular reporting packs, KPIs and dashboards to support business decision‑making.
• Assist with cashflow forecasting and working capital analysis.
• Work closely with UK and international finance teams to gather data, validate assumptions and ensure consistency of reporting.
• Support continuous improvement across FP&A processes, reporting tools and automation.
• Contribute to financial models to support business cases and strategic initiatives, including occasional support for M&A evaluation.
• Provide ad‑hoc financial analysis to senior leadership.

Experience, skills & qualifications

Essential

• Experience in financial analysis, FP&A, management accounting or commercial finance within a fast‑paced organisation.
• Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail.
• Advanced Excel capability (comfortable working with large data sets, lookups, index‑match, pivot tables, etc.).
• Strong communication skills, able to present financial information clearly and confidently.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and manage competing deadlines.
• Curious, proactive, and eager to learn with a “hands‑on” approach.

Desirable

• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Exposure to financial modelling or willingness to learn.
• Experience with ERP systems, Power BI or similar tools is advantageous.
• Part‑qualified or fully qualified (e.g. CIMA/ACCA/ACA).

Why join Outcomes First Group?

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the largest independent provider of high quality special needs education and care. We are a vital part of local communities in England, Scotland and Wales with a renowned reputation for quality and positive outcomes for the people we educate and care for.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Our vision

Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world‑class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world.

Our mission

We commit to unlocking our pupils’ potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations.

Our promise

We Listen.
We never assume.
We work together.
To make the remarkable happen.
We are accountable.
To each other and for one another.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) allowing you to choose from a range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits, hundreds of discount options, cycle to work schemes, electric car purchase scheme, critical illness cover, and more.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Please note: 4DWW is subject to successful completion of your probation period and is not a contractual benefit.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.