Lead FP&A Analyst

Arch Insurance; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the insurance sector is seeking a Lead FP&A Analyst to spearhead financial planning, forecasting, and analysis. This pivotal role involves collaboration with senior management, fostering relationships, and providing actionable insights to enhance business performance. Candidates should have a professional accounting qualification and extensive experience in the financial sector. This position offers an opportunity to be a key player in driving strategic financial decisions and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of post-qualified experience in financial planning and analysis.
• Strong understanding of financial modelling and forecasting.
• Ability to communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual planning and quarterly forecasting processes.
• Provide insightful analysis and scenario planning to mitigate risks.
• Act as a strategic partner to business units for financial decision making.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Ownership

Education

Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Bachelor’s degree in finance related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Financial planning software (e.g. Anaplan)

Job description

Lead FP&A Analyst with a focus on planning, forecasting and subsequent analysis of financial information.Working as a senior member of the FP&A team to provide detailed analysis of financial trends and variances, including KPIs and providing actionable insights to senior management.Strategic Business Partner lead to a number of underwriting units.Provide technical support and coaching to a team of Financial Analysts.Build and develop relationships with key stakeholders and assist with the provision of financial analysis, both historical and forward looking.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

Financial Planning and Forecasting

• Lead the annual planning and quarterly forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Develop and maintain financial models to support forecasting and long-term planning initiatives.
• Collaborate with senior management and departmental heads to gather relevant data and assumptions for financial projections.
• Provide insightful analysis and scenario planning to anticipate potential financial outcomes and mitigate risks.

Performance Analysis and Reporting

• Lead the preparation and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to senior management and stakeholders.
• Provide in depth analysis of variances between actual and forecasted results, identifying key drivers and recommending corrective actions.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial metrics, providing actionable insights to improve business performance.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting in compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.

Strategic Business Partnering

• Act as a strategic partner to business units, providing financial insight and support to enable operational and strategic decision making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate business opportunities, investments, and potential acquisitions.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic plans, ensuring financial feasibility and alignment with business goals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance financial processes, systems, and reporting capabilities.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor a team of financial analysts, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and development opportunities to team members to enhance their skills and performance.
• Ensure adequate training and resources are available to support the team’s objectives and deliverables.
• Recruit and onboard new team members, ensuring a smooth transition and integration into the team.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Build and maintain relationships with departmental heads and other senior stakeholders, understand their financial needs and provide decision making support.
• Collaborate with department heads to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial data

Process Improvement

• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the expense management function.
• Implement best practices and new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of expense tracking and management.
• Work with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements and implement changes effectively.

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure all financial plans, forecasts and analysis comply with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the development and maintenance of internal controls related to expense management.
• Provide support to internal and external audits processes as required.

Ad-Hoc Analysis

• Lead the response to ad hoc requests for financial analysis and reporting from senior management and other stakeholders.
• Provide support to special projects and initiatives as required.

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Deep understanding of financial modelling and forecasting techniques.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey financial information to non-financial stakeholders and build relationships across the organization.
• Proactive and self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other financial analysis tools.
• Experience with financial planning software (e.g. Anaplan) is a plus.
• Familiarity with accounting systems and general ledger software.

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) is essential.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a finance related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of post-qualified experience in financial planning and analysis, or a related role within the insurance industry.