Investments Business Partner (Anaplan) - Profitability

Aberdeen Standard Investments; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wealth management firm in London is seeking a qualified accountant to oversee profitability models and provide financial insights. The ideal candidate will have a financial services background, strong analytical skills, and expertise in financial modelling tools. This role offers excellent benefits including significant annual leave and a performance-based bonus.

Benefits

40 days’ annual leave

16% employer pension contribution

Discretionary performance-based bonus

Private healthcare

Gym discounts

Season ticket loans

Qualifications

• Expertise in financial modelling tools such as Excel and Anaplan.
• Proven accounting skills with accuracy and diligence.
• Ability to interpret complex financial data.

Responsibilities

• Own profitability models and manage inputs and outputs.
• Deliver quarterly profitability performance for asset classes.
• Drive automation and process optimisation in reporting.

Skills

Analytical ability

Attention to detail

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Proficiency in Excel

Understanding of investment strategies

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Tools

Excel

PowerBI

Anaplan

Job description

Overview

At Aberdeen, our ambition is to be the UK’s leading Wealth & Investments group. Strengthening talent and culture is a strategic priority to attract and retain the industry’s best talent and to provide excellent client service supported by leading technology and talent.

Aberdeen comprises three businesses, interactive investor (ii), Investments, and Adviser, each focused on meeting evolving client needs: interactive investor, the UK’s second largest direct-to-consumer investment platform; our Adviser business providing financial planning solutions and technology for UK financial advisers; and our Investments business as a specialist asset manager focusing on areas with strength and scale.

About the Department

The Finance function is led by the Chief Financial Officer and comprises four specialist centralised teams and three divisional focused commercial teams, supported by a small CFO Office to run the function.

• Group Finance Control – responsible for external reporting (group, statutory and regulatory) and for high quality reporting materials, on time and reflecting best practice. Includes oversight of the Finance control environment and relationship with external audit and the Audit Committee.
• Finance Operations – responsible for processing and production activity centralised here, with emphasis on efficiency, automation and robust controls, including all P&L, balance sheet and ledger activity, and outsourced oversight.
• Capital and Tax – responsible for all capital and tax matters centrally for the whole group as a global, specialist function.
• Performance and Planning – responsible for performance and planning activities centrally for the group, including planning, forecasting, quarterly business reviews and investor relations.

Segment CFO teams support segment CEOs and CFOs by driving the commercial agenda and rely on other areas to produce core materials.

About the Role

The role holder will work closely with colleagues across the Investments Business to ensure the commercial objectives are met through informed management information.

Key Responsibilities

• Owning the profitability models for Investments, including governance and oversight of inputs, assumptions and outputs.
• Collaborating with profitability modelling implementation partners to enhance Anaplan modelling and reporting, assumptions, and profitability KPIs.
• Owning and maintaining the profitability methodology for business and regulatory modelling, including cost classification and allocation to Asset Class, Desk, Strategies and Fund to reflect commercial reality and priorities.
• Delivering quarterly profitability performance for Asset Classes, Investment Desks and Funds, and providing clear explanations and responding to queries.
• Overseeing the offshore WNS team responsible for producing the profitability data hub each quarter with robust processes for accuracy and timely delivery.
• Driving automation and process optimisation across data inputs, handling and reporting workflows using data visualisation to provide executive reporting and insights.
• Working with the business to ensure cost centre allocation bases to Asset Classes, Desks and strategies are refreshed and aligned with costs.
• Providing swift ad hoc profitability analysis, financial modelling and scenario analysis to enable proactive management.
• Providing analysis that links financial reports to business strategies and delivering timely profitability insights and KPIs.

About the Candidate

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) – desirable
• Asset management or financial services background with knowledge of investment strategies and asset management principles – desirable
• Excellent analytical ability with strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Ability to interpret complex financial data and provide actionable insights
• Expertise in financial modelling tools (Excel, PowerBI, Anaplan, etc.)
• Data science, governance and visualisation skills
• Proven accounting skills, diligent and accurate
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to present plans to support business decisions
• Driven and assertive, able to understand the sophisticated cost drivers of the business
• Takes personal accountability for quality delivery
• Ability to manage priorities and deliver against tight deadlines within a varied portfolio
• Collaborates across Finance and the Business to develop a network for support

Our benefits

We offer an environment where you can learn, get involved and be supported. The reward includes 40 days’ annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, a discretionary performance-based bonus (where applicable), private healthcare and a range of flexible benefits including gym discounts and season ticket loans.

Our business

Our business is structured around three distinct areas focused on our clients’ changing needs. You can find out more about what we do here.

An inclusive way of working

We’ve adopted a blended working approach that combines face-to-face collaboration with the flexibility of working from home. We welcome diverse perspectives and are committed to an inclusive culture. If you need assistance with your application or an adjustment to interview arrangements due to disability or other needs, please let us know and we will help.

We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and where diversity includes, but is not limited to, educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief, ethnicity and geographical provenance. If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.