Finance Analyst

There’s plenty about Topps Group that might surprise you. Like the scale of our Support Office in Leicester. We have Finance, Marketing, Buying, Central Operations, HR, Property, Customer Service and IT all under one roof. Tight-knit teams of talented people working together and working hard to get things done and drive results. But then, would you expect anything less from an ambitious, dynamic, market-leading, multi-million-pound retail business? 

We are currently looking for a Finance Analyst to join our team! Reporting into the Finance Business Partner, you will support various financial planning activities for Topps Tiles and Tile Warehouse, e.g. store/company budgeting cycle, forecasting, central functions budgeting and forecasting etc. You will assist in the completion of monthly management accounts, reporting, and performance reporting, for both brands.

Customer / Strategy / Plan

• To ensure there is timely and accurate reporting and analysis to business managers, ensuring accuracy and relevancy of insight.
• To work with the finance team to ensure that key aspects of the monthly management accounting and financial accounting processes are appropriately administered, and information is available in a timely fashion.
• Ensure there is an open communication within the finance team around the period end accounts preparation – including any areas of judgement.
• Communication with other departments who either feed information to the accounts or utilise information generated.
• Close off the ledgers within agreed timescales and ensure that all key balance sheet control accounts have been reconciled and approved on a monthly basis.
• Supporting the wider FP&A team to deliver a five-year financial plan, one year budget, and annual reforecast which will help the business deliver its strategy and goal. 
• Supporting with various other financial activities as required, e.g. financial analysis, commercial opportunities that may drive performance, reviewing performance against plan, etc.
• Supporting Topps Tiles stores with queries in relation to their P&Ls.

Financial / Commercials

• Support in the preparation of month end management accounts and presentation key stakeholders monthly.
• Ensure that the Finance Business Partner is well appraised of the financial performance (e.g. variances vs budget) and emerging long-term trends.
• Supporting in the preparation of information for presentations across the business, for example weekly reporting (including KPIs, etc.), Board reporting, etc.
• Support financial control and ensure that key balance sheet control accounts have been reconciled monthly.

Risk and process

• To ensure appropriate processes exist both within finance and across the organisation and to identify key areas of risk and agree with the Finance Business Partner and Senior FP&A Manager appropriate plans to manage those risks. 
• To ensure that appropriate controls exist across the businesses (e.g. Balance Sheet reconciliation, analysis of key control accounts), including compliance with key regulatory areas.
• Look to drive improvements where possible to increase the reliability and robustness of information and controls.  This will include process simplification and automation initiatives across the finance function

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

Essential                                                

• Good working knowledge of core finance processes – monthly management accounts (including commentary on variances), weekly reporting, budgeting & planning, decision / commercial support.
• Good working knowledge of accounting systems – general ledger, purchase ledger, sales ledger, bank recs etc.
• Good level of commerciality – be able to participate in commercial / operational discussions.
• Effective communication skills
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to influence and support non-finance teams.
• Ability to prioritise, multi-task and manage deadlines.

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Dynamics or Bright Pearl.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including the use of formulas, VLOOKUP, pivot tables etc.
• Experience of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Good working knowledge of other business areas e.g. commercial, operational and supply chain.
• Part qualified accountant  

In a culture where hard work is recognised and great results are rewarded, you can look forward to a company bonus that will give you a share of our success - up to 20% of your base salary! Then there’s a generous staff discount, a Share Save scheme, pension and life assurance, a holiday allowance that increases with length of service and a wide range of other benefits. Plus, flexible working, free on-site parking, generous discounts on products and services and more. A lot more. We’re committed to promoting talent from within too, which means you’ll be well-supported to build a rewarding career with an individual development plan and lots of training on offer. We offer a comprehensive study package to support your accountancy development!