Financial Planning Analyst

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Job title:       Financial Planning Analyst – Corporate Overheads

Location:            Bolton – hybrid working 

Salary:                £40,000 - £45,000 per annum depending on experience

Hours:                9-5 Monday-Friday

Reports to: Head of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)

Accountable to: Head of FP&A

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Financial Planning Analyst.

About the role:

To provide high-quality financial planning and analysis to the executive leadership and operational teams to drive performance, understanding and growth.

Financial performance:

• Analyse the monthly financial results prepared by the accounting team to highlight and comment on key variances to budget or forecast, if applicable and related action plans.
• Act as a Business Partner for budget holders and Senior Leaders, guiding them on commercial matters and promoting financial understanding.
• Work with and support stakeholders to track and analysis their Corporate Overhead costs, building raptor and holding them accountable for budget delivery.  
• Work closely with the Business Intelligence team to create and distribute financial results and scorecards via systems and automation.
• Ensure financial KPIs are appropriate for the division and provide clear and accurate reporting of these KPIs, highlighting key trends to help decision making. 
• Effectively and objectively communicate performance to the business, challenging budget holders and maintaining accountability in the business.
• Lead the financial appraisal of ad-hoc projects and undertake analysis as requested by the Head of FP&A, Operations Leads, FD etc.

Budget and Forecast:

• Lead the relevant operating cost center budgeting process across all Corporate Overheads, ensuring Group alignment on timelines and relevant analysis is adhered to. 
• Maintain a budget and forecast financial model to ensure consistency of data and process across all areas, including inclusion of appropriate KPIs.
• Support the Head of FP&A and the Business Intelligence team to implement automated and system driven budgeting and modelling tools.

Leadership and Management:

• By example and encouragement of others, maintain a positive, professional and helpful ethos in the Finance team.

Customer service:

• Build strong relationships with Senior Leaders and operational teams, including relevant department Heads. 
• Be accountable and act as the main point of contact on behalf of the wider finance team for responding to queries raised directly to the job holder.
• Demonstrate strong financial business partnering skills by:

                                                         o Providing timely delivery of monthly reports and scorecards (with support from the Business Intelligence team)

Requirements:

Standard responsibilities:

There are a number of standard duties and responsibilities that all employees, irrespective of their role and level of seniority within OFG Group are expected to be familiar with and adhere to;

• Participates in an annual performance review programme.
• Works, at all times, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the OFG Group and statutory regulations applicable to the Group.
• Observes, at all times, strict rules of confidentiality appropriate to the post.
• To comply at all times with the requirements of Health and Safety Regulations, to ensure their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues.
• OFG Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all employees to work in accordance with this.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned.

Measures: 

• Measures against set objectives relevant to the role
• Set performance indicators
• Departmental Net Promoter Scores

Experience, Skills & Qualifications:

Essential

• Studying towards a relevant accounting qualification (CIMA / ACCA / ACA etc.) 
• Unqualified candidates with significant relevant experience would be considered. 
• A relevant Degree (Accounting / Finance / Maths etc.)
• Proven ability to influence financial outcomes and work closely with operational managers.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to communicate and build relationships with people at different levels.
• Advanced Excel skills critical – data manipulation (including extraction from financial ledgers), analytical and presentation skills at a level suitable for Executive review.
• Ability to present complex data and analysis in a high impact visual manner to senior stakeholders, drawing out the key messages and findings.
• Relevant management accounting experience.
• Working knowledge of MS Office including Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Experience of Access Dimensions would be advantageous, though not essential.

Why join Outcomes First Group? 

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the leading provider of specialist education in the UK. We exist to give neurodivergent children and young people access to a great education that caters to their specific needs, abilities and aspirations.

There are three brands in our Outcomes First family: Acorn Education, Options Autism and Momenta Connect. Together, we educate, care for and support children, young people, and adults across the UK, empowering them to be happy and make their way in the world.

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

We believe that with a great education, every neurodivergent pupil can thrive and make their way in the world.

Our Mission

Every day we improve the lives of our pupils, their families, and local communities through a relentless focus on wellbeing and learning.

Our Promise

We are kind to ourselves and each other...We work together... and we make things happen.

Our Promise sits alongside our Vision and Mission. It describes the sort of people we are and our commitment to how we treat each other, work together, and behave. 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• 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