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About the role
The Assistant Finance Business Partner (AFBP) will provide accurate and timely financial information. They will support the Business Unit General Manager (BUGM) to assist with the effective running of the business unit (BU). They are required to build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the operational and other finance/administrative staff within their BU. They will possess excellent communication skills, both written and oral, have strong commercial awareness, and be able to work in a fast-paced environment. 

Competitive Salary + Pension + Share Scheme + Benefits

Key Objectives
Provide support for the financial control of the entire BU
Advises and support the Business Unit General Manager (BUGM) and operational staff by providing and interpreting analytical information to enable effective decision making
Provides support in ensuring that the rules, principles, and the internal control requirements of the Group are met
Ensure the Business Unit and Company meets all its financial reporting obligations

Main Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Regular analysis of KPI’s such as invoice lag, debtors, variances and productive hours
• Analyse and explain overhead spend and variances to budget
• Provide analysis to forecast the performance of the business against budget in order to aid decision making
• Support when appropriate the BUGM in obtaining market intelligence to facilitate strategy and budget formulation

Project Accounting and Monitoring

• Ensure sales and purchase ledger entries are entered in accurately and timely manner
• Ensure employee timesheets are entered accurately and in timely manner
• Support the Project Managers in understanding their projects
• Coach/train Project Managers on the Project Accounting Systems so they can effectively monitor their projects
• In conjunction with the BUGM perform monthly project reviews to ensure the project performance is properly and prudently assessed
• Ensure the effective contract records are kept

Cash Management

• Evaluate the credit worthiness of new and existing clients
• Make sure invoicing is always maximised
• Ensure effective and efficient credit control in the BU

Control and Reporting

• Make sure transactions are accurately recorded in a timely manner and in accordance with the group and accounting rules
• Support the BUGM to control overhead spend to be kept within budget
• Ensure all monthly and quarterly reporting is done within the set timescales
• Support with the year end audit by providing the necessary information
• Ensure the BU is in compliance with the groups Internal Control procedures

Administration & Other

• Lead and participate in the administration of the BU and the team
• Act as a catalyst to drive forward initiatives to achieve business strategy
• Manage and deliver financially related projects on an ad-hoc basis that deliver real improvements in the effective management of the BU

The Person

AAT or equivalent qualification. Working towards a professional accounting qualification is desirable.

Communication

• Outstanding oral and written communication skills are imperative for this role. The person will need to be a confident communicator, across all levels both internally and externally
• Ability to translate financial analysis into clear strategic objectives
• Friendly and approachable manner, able to build and sustain relationships based on trust at all levels

Quality and Accuracy

• An eye for detail, focused on quality and accuracy, within a face paced environment, without compromising deadlines.
• Ability to use sound judgement to ensure the appropriate messages are delivered

Financial

• Strong financial skills applied in a project costing context
• Ability to analyse and interpret variances
• Good knowledge of basic accounting functions such as Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Timesheets
• Cash Management
• Knowledge of CIS and DRC is desirable

IT

• Strong IT skills in particular, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Knowledge of SAP is desirable

Organisation and Management

• Able to plan and deliver projects within agreed timeframes
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to influence others
• A self-starter who can work on their own initiative but also be able to work effectively as part of a team.