Senior Finance Business Partner

Ipsum Utilities Limited; Haydock, Warrington; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Option to buy up to 5 additional days

Career development & progression with\

24/7 virtual GP and Mental health/coun

Cycle to Work scheme

Life assurance cover

Long service recognition

Enhanced Maternity Pay

Job summary

Ipsum Utilities Limited is seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to join the Water Division. You will partner with the MD and senior leadership to provide high-quality management information and commercial insight, while leading the finance team to deliver accurate reporting and robust controls.

You will drive working capital management, support system implementations, and ensure governance with external auditors.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with a professional qualification (ACCA/CIMA/ACA).
• Strong experience in management reporting, financial analysis and driving performance.
• Experience in project accounting; utilities sector knowledge is beneficial but not required.
• Analytical with attention to detail and proactive problem-solving.
• Confident in challenging the status quo and identifying improvements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the MD and senior leadership to provide high-quality management information and commercial insight.
• Lead and develop the finance team, creating a high-performance culture.
• Deliver accurate financial and commercial reporting and maintain strong financial controls.
• Drive working capital management including cashflow forecasting, WIP reduction, billing improvements and cash collection.
• Oversee payroll processes prior to finance sign-off; support divisional projects and system implementations.
• Ensure governance and best-practice processes across the business and liaise with external auditors.

Skills

Finance partnering

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA

Tools

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Data analysis tools

Job description

We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you’re not just taking a job — you’re starting a career with real support behind it.

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Option to buy up to 5 additional holidays

Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications

24/7 access to a virtual GPand Mental health support & counselling services

Cycle to Work scheme

Life assurance cover

Long service recognition

Enhanced Maternity Pay

About the role

Reporting to the Finance Director, you will be a trusted business partner to the Managing Director and senior leadership team, providing high-quality management information and commercial insight to support strategic decision-making and business performance across our Water Division. You will also lead and develop the finance team, creating a high-performance culture, building capability, and ensuring the team delivers exceptional support to the wider business.

You will be responsible for delivering accurate financial and commercial reporting, maintaining strong financial controls, driving effective working capital management, and providing strong people leadership. This is an influential role offering the opportunity to provide meaningful insight, challenge, and support that helps shape the future success of the business.

As a Senior Finance Business Partner you will

Partnering with the MD and senior leadership team to provide high-quality management information and commercial insight.

Working closely with finance and commercial teams across the Group to ensure compliance with financial controls and processes.

Leading working capital management, including cashflow forecasting, WIP reduction, billing improvements, and cash collection initiatives.

Producing accurate financial reporting and maintaining key tax control accounts.

Reviewing and overseeing payroll processes prior to finance sign-off.

Supporting divisional projects, including system implementations and business integration activities.

Ensuring robust financial controls, governance, and best-practice processes are maintained and continuously improved.

Managing relationships with external auditors and supporting the annual audit process.

Providing leadership, mentoring, and development support to junior team members while maintaining accurate financial documentation and records.

About you

Proven experience in a Finance Business Partnering or similar commercially focused finance role.

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ACA).

Strong understanding of management reporting, financial analysis, and business performance drivers.

Experience of project accounting, with utilities sector experience beneficial but not essential.

Highly analytical with strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Confident in challenging the status quo and identifying opportunities for improvement.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.

Resilient, adaptable, and able to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment while building strong relationships across the business.

You'll be a collaborative and driven individual who enjoys partnering with operational leaders, turning financial data into meaningful insight, and making a genuine impact on business performance. In return, you'll have the opportunity to shape decision-making, contribute to strategic growth, and develop your career within a supportive and ambitious organisation.

Our commitment to Equal Opportunities

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

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