Finance Business Partner JD The Role Reporting to the Senior Finance Manager, the Finance Business Partner will be the key liaison with budget holders to proactively and collaboratively support functions including financial planning, month end reporting, budgeting, forecasting and year end processes. They will also develop a comprehensive understanding of core finance processes to facilitate the conveying of key principles to budget holders and enable them to deputise for the Senior Finance Manager when required. They will assist in reviewing and developing processes to strengthen financial management practices We are looking for a fully or part qualified accountant. We will consider candidates qualified by experience.

Key responsibilities Finance Business Partnering Proactively liaise with departments to explain financial concepts and assisting to build financial acumen to optimise financial sustainability and organisational effectiveness. Be the lead finance contact for budget holders to prepare budgets, forecasts and provide finance support. Communicate key issues to the Senior Finance Manager or Director of Finance as appropriate to mitigate financial risks. Continuously review, suggest and implement process improvements to financial procedures.

Budgeting and forecasting Support the Senior Finance Manager in the creation of reports for budget holders and the finance team to collate information, reflecting finance requirements and budget holder needs. Collate budgets and forecasts with comprehensive variance analysis for review with the Senior Finance Manager. Assist in developing and reviewing the annual budget setting and periodic forecasting processes. Project finance reporting Assist budget holders and project teams with the provision of financial data for external funders and stakeholders.

Attend project meetings to ascertain the financial information needed and the most appropriate mechanism for providing it. Identify and escalate any risks associated with this reporting as appropriate. Financial operational management Support the team in all aspects of the monthly closedown. Understand the payroll process, supporting with control checks and improvement suggestions.

Support the Senior Finance Manager in reviewing cash flow and managing the payment run process, highlighting risks and areas for improvement. Support with the quarterly VAT return process, suggesting refinements. Develop an in depth understanding of the finance software system to be able to perform key functions, including reporting and reconciliations. Person specification Professionally qualified or part qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA) or qualified by experience with a strong grounding in financial management and reporting.

Extensive experience in business partnering, budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis, ideally gained in a multi-stakeholder environment. Proven ability to drive process improvements and efficiencies. Understanding of the practicalities of working in a small finance team within a small to medium sized organisation. Ability to engage confidently with colleagues at all levels, and to communicate financial information clearly and persuasively to non-finance audiences.

Excellent IT skills, particularly advanced Excel. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a team, while also being capable of working independently. Experience of using different finance software packages and capable of learning new systems. (Desirable) Experience of working within healthcare, research, or the not-for-profit sector.