Who we are
FirstGroup plc is a FTSE 250company and leading provider of bus and rail services in the UK. First Rail operates passenger services across four Department for Transport (DfT) contracted Train Operating Companies (TOCs); Avanti West Coast (AWC), Great Western Railway (GWR), South Western Railway (SWR) and TransPennine Express (TPE) – plus our open access passenger services, Hull Trains and Lumo. We also operate Tramlink in Croydon on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) and operate the Heathrow Express services to Heathrow Airport. In addition to rail operations we offer additional services through First Customer Contact Centre, Mistral Data, Evorail and First Rail Holdings (FRH) consultancy and IT.
First Rail is looking for a Divisional Finance Analyst to join our team
Purpose of role
The Divisional Finance Analyst roles are key to supporting the Head of FP&A and are responsible for the robust financial management and control of First Rail Holdings, Mistral & EvoRail through the accurate processing of financial transactions and the production of financial plans/forecast. In addition, the role ensures the financial performance of First Rail, and all its entities, is well understood by the management team through robust and accurate financial management reporting. Highlighting any issues and opportunities for improvement and ensuring that the reporting being delivered by the TOCs/Rail Companies is in line with the requirements of the First Rail Management team, the Group Finance team and the DfT.
Key accountabilities
* Collate and consolidate management and financial accounting outputs, KPIs, milestones, cash flows and balance sheets, Business Plan, and other financial/performance outputs
* Consolidate the financial results and plans from the First Rail Entities in SAP BPC and to submit into the Group Finance's consolidation tool (OneStream).
* Manage the co-ordination of reconciliations for intercompany posting
* Coordination of Half Year and Full Year disclosures required by Group and the collation of the entities Annual Account Reconciliation.
* Post Central IFRS16 journals and other consolidation journals in SAP.
* Support the environment disclosure reporting by Group through collation and reconciliation of data to be used in internal and external publications.
* Ensure the planning and reporting timetables and business process flows in BPC reflect the required business planning and reporting outputs
* Support the Head of FP&A and System Accountant in the development and ongoing maintenance/utilisation of SAP BPC for financial planning.
* Ensure the delivery, accuracy, and integrity of the management accounting process for FRH, Mistral and Evo rail.
* Business partner the Directors and business leads, providing interpretation and guidance in relation to financial analysis, profit centre budgets and forecasts, to enable key decisions to be made and targets met.
* The planning and production of budget and quarterly forecast, working with the budget holders to have clear view of FY projections.
* Supporting business leads with the management of affiliate work orders, ensure all services are contract correctly through the affiliate framework.
* Production of balance sheet reconciliation and ensuring appropriate actions are taken to manage key balance sheet accounts.
* Raising sales orders for affiliate works order in FRH, Mistral and EvoRail for billing by our shared service centre (FSS), working with FSS to manage credit control activities.
* Produce submission to Group or HMRC for VAT, PAYE, NI as well as process the payroll and payments runs including management of expense system SAP concur.
* Production of draft statutory accounts and dealing with and closing out audit queries both internal and external.
Qualifications and memberships
* Educated to degree standard or equivalent
* Part (working towards) or Qualified accountant (i.e. CIMA/ ACA /ACCA) or equivalent
Job specific knowledge and skills
* Excellent team working skills including the ability to contribute proactively and supportively to the delivery of team initiatives.
* The ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
* Variance and financial/budgetary analysis able to construct and communicate forecasts to business leadership.
* Prepare financial transactions, statements and information, planning and preparing for Audits
* Transactional accounting and closing processes
* Understanding and use of systems and software
* Focus on risk and robust control environments.
* Continuous development of knowledge on professional accounting principles and standards
* Sales ledger management and credit control
* Commercial acumen and mindset
Relevant experience
* Proven track record in effective business partnering, reporting and analysis to finance and non-finance colleagues through value-add insight and recommendations
* Proven track record of preparing financial statements and management accounts.
* Proven track record of strong financial accounting and financial controls.
* Experience of sales ledger and working capital management and up to date knowledge and understanding of IFRS15 Revenue Recognition.
* Experience of VAT, HMRC returns, BACS payment and Payroll.
* Experience of SAP ECC, S4Hana, BI, BPC, in addition would be advantageous but is also not essential Concur, OneStream and Hyperion.
* Experience of group consolidation would be useful but is not essential
* Experience within Rail would be useful but is not essential
* Head office / group finance experience would be advantageous but is also not essential
What you'll get in return
* Minimum of 10% contribution to your Pension (5% employer and 5% employee)
* Private Healthcare Insurance
* 25 days Holiday plus National Bank Holidays
* Travel Offers for Bus and Rail *
* Shopping Discounts including discounts and cashback on electrical goods, your weekly shop, holidays, cinema trips, car insurance, upgrading your mobile and lots more
* Buy as You Earn – allows you to buy shares each month, with 2 free ‘matching' shares for each 3 shares you buy. You can vary the amount you save or stop it at any time. You need to participate in the scheme for at least 3 years to receive the matching shares *
* Employee Assistance Helpline – free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider
* Payroll Giving – donate directly from your pay to a Charity of your Choice
*after 6 months of employment
FirstGroup plc welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age. We aspire to be a diverse and inclusive organisation because we believe that diversity brings benefits for our customers, communities and our people. Valuing our differences and drawing on our collective knowledge and experience helps us develop new services, open up new markets and broaden our customer.
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