Finance Analyst

Who we are:

New, Digital, Sustainable

We are East Coast Trains Limited (ECTL), a brand-new transformational, innovative and digital open access train company who will provide regular, cost effective 100% electric train travel between London and Edinburgh from Oct 2021.  We will be an alternative to flying that is cheaper, kinder to the environment and just as time effective as taking a domestic flight.

People Focussed

Our people are our key to success.  We need an engaged, empowered, multiskilled and flexible family of colleagues who live and breathe our East Coast Trains Limited values of:

Fresh thinking and Innovation to delight customers

Service performance and excellence in everything we do

Challenging and disrupting industry norms

Collaborative and consistent in what we do

Lean and agile in our approach

Providing a healthier, safer and environmentally sustainable approach to everything we do

We value diversity. We are a progressive and inclusive employer. We value differences such as age, gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity, religion, and disability.  All our colleagues have a voice and are supported to be their authentic selves at work. There is no demarcation of roles and all our colleagues are empowered.

We  are an inclusive employer and open to considering flexibility in all our roles, from a full-time part time and flexible perspective.  Please talk to us at interview about any flexibility you need. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.

There is more information about us here.

About the role:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Finance & Reporting Analyst to join our new and dynamic organisation.  Joining the team at the point of mobilisation and assisting in leading the delivery of the project, you will provide detailed analytical support to the business.  You will act as the core interface between systems, policies, processes, and people, ensuring the daily smooth running of the company in order to deliver our shared KPIs and business strategy.

The key responsibilities of the role will include, but are not limited to:

Preparation of financial reports and perform activities related to the maintenance of a complete and accurate general ledger.

Preparation of the income statement, balance sheet and various other reports for East Coast Trains Limited

Ensure that the mapping of accounts in the general ledger (SAP) and the Group consolidation system (Hyperion) are correctly mapped and consistently used.

Complete periodic reporting process and carry out any ad-hoc reviews, reconciliations and reporting, ensuring that any issues are identified and resolved or escalated as appropriate and makes recommendations on how to improve accounting processes.

Ensuring that accounting policies follow FirstGroup Accounting Manual, delegated financial authorities are maintained and adhered to in accordance with FirstGroup policy and balance sheet reconciliations are completed each period

Responsible for the timely and accurate management of all Finance & Reporting KPI related tracking and reporting. This includes the interpretation of management information and the production of a range of accurate and timely reports and insights across the financial and accounting periodic cycle from multiple internal and external data sources to enable decision making by key stakeholders in the business. 

Responsible for creating and delivering specialised presentations and training on Finance & Reporting related topics across the business.

About you:

You will be adept at building effective relationships across all levels of the business, with strong commercial acumen.  The ideal candidate will be educated to degree standard or equivalent and have (or be working towards) an accounting qualification such as CIMA/ACA/ACCA.

Experience in preparing management accounts and reports, planning and preparing for internal/external audits and preparing business plans is vital, along with experience in forecasting and budgeting.

What you'll get in return:

Great Personal Package

The opportunity to develop and progress your career

A competitive salary

A Defined Contribution Pension with a minimum of 10% contribution (5% employer and 5% employee)

25 days Holiday plus National Bank Holidays

Travel Offers for Bus and Rail*

Payroll Giving donate directly from your pay to a Charity of your Choice

Shopping Discounts including discounts and cashback on electrical goods, your weekly shop, holidays, cinema trips, car insurance, upgrading your mobile and lots more

All employee Share Schemes*

Save as You Earn - gives you the opportunity to save a regular amount each month for three years. At the end of the savings period, you can use your savings to buy shares at a discounted price set at the start of the Scheme or take your savings as cash.

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 in order to receive the matching shares.

Employee Assistance Programme free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider

*after 6 months of employment

Interested? If you do have any questions or require a full role profile, you can contact us directly at laura.clifforde@firstgroup.com.