Job Title: Interim FP&A Manager Location: Bedford - Hybrid, 3 days per week in the office Contract Duration: 6 (with potential for extension) Reports To: Finance Director Job Overview: Our client is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Interim FP&A Manager to join their dynamic finance team. This role will support the finance department during a period of transition and will provide critical financial analysis and strategic insights to guide decision-making across the business. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing financial planning processes, reporting, and performance analysis to ensure the business meets its financial goals. Key Responsibilities: Financial Planning and Forecasting: Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual forecasting and budgeting process. Work with department heads to understand their financial needs and align forecasts accordingly. Prepare detailed financial forecasts, projections, and budgets. Management Reporting: Provide regular financial analysis and reporting to senior leadership on key performance indicators (KPIs), variances, and potential risks. Prepare management reports to explain financial results and trends, ensuring they are clear, concise, and actionable. Create financial models to support business decision-making and strategic planning. Business Partnering: Partner with non-financial departments (e.g., Sales, Operations, Marketing) to enhance financial understanding across the business. Advise on cost management, pricing strategies, and profitability analysis. Financial Analysis: Perform detailed variance analysis on income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Identify financial trends, risks, and opportunities and provide recommendations to senior management. Monitor and analyze financial performance against targets and benchmarks. Process Improvement: Identify opportunities for streamlining and improving financial processes and systems. Ensure the financial planning process is robust, accurate, and efficient. Ad-hoc Financial Projects: Lead or participate in special financial projects as required by the business. Support the Finance Director with strategic decision-making by providing relevant financial data and insights. Key Skills and Qualifications: Experience: Proven experience (5 years) in a financial analysis or FP&A role, ideally within a fast-paced corporate environment. Experience in managing or coordinating budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Strong understanding of financial modelling, accounting principles, and business performance metrics. Education: ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualification (or equivalent experience). A degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field is preferred. Technical Skills: Advanced Excel skills (financial modelling, pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.). Experience with Power BI or other data visualization tools is advantageous. Communication and Leadership: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Ability to influence decision-makers and work effectively with cross-functional teams. Personal Attributes: Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy. Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines. Flexible and adaptable in a rapidly changing environment.