Lead FP&A Analyst

ACCA Careers; London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Lead FP&A Analyst to join their team in London. The role involves financial planning, forecasting, and performance analysis, providing actionable insights to senior management. The successful candidate will have strong analytical capabilities, a professional accounting qualification, and at least 5 years of experience in financial planning within the insurance sector.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years post-qualified experience in financial planning and analysis.
• Professional accounting qualification is essential.
• Proficiency in financial modelling and forecasting techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Prepare and present financial reports to senior management and stakeholders.
• Act as a strategic partner providing financial insight to enable decision making.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Ownership

Education

Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Bachelor’s degree in a finance related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Financial planning software (e.g. Anaplan)

Accounting systems

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.