Strategic Finance Analyst / Corporate Finance

Strategic Finance Analyst / Corporate Finance / London

A leading private equity-backed Africa-focused infrastructure business is looking for a London based Strategic Finance Analyst. This Financial Accounting Graduate (ideally from Big 4 looking for 1st Industry role) will be responsible for calculating debt related cash flows (repayments, interest, margin and swaps) on a variety of facilities. The calculation will be used at Group level, so it has to be timely and accurate. You will also be responsible for tracking and managing financial covenants. For this, technical skills include good understanding and working of accounting principles and basic financial calculations (Cash Flow) in addition to debt and interest calculations. The group has significant plans for expansion within the next 3 - 6 months which will see it double in size and move into a number of new markets.  Reporting directly to the Strategic Finance Manager, the role involves being Strategic Finance’s Department periodical liaison with all Local Operating Companies (“OpCos”) on debt related matters.

You should ideally have experience in Corporate Finance / Project Finance but the client would also consider and train someone willing to change from  Big 4 Audit or Back/Middle Office. As a Strategic Finance Analyst, your main responsibilities will involve:

Administration and management of an expanding loan portfolio, comprising significant facilities across African countries:

•             Arranging interest payments and loan repayments for the facilities, including updating financial models

•             Monitoring lender covenants and providing information as required by the facilities agreements

•             Administering interest rate swaps and providing information and valuations for financial reporting

•             Maintaining the loan and interest records for the OpCos

Assisting with the analysis, negotiation & completion of new debt financing facilities:

•             Analysis of lenders' financing bids, including the manipulation of financial models (in conjunction with the Strategic Finance Manager)

•             Reviewing legal documentation;

•             Managing the conditions precedent list in the run up to financial close

•             Keeping abreast of African Finance developments in our core markets

Experience:

• Minimum Graduate level with major in Finance
• Ideally a previous experience of corporate debt financing
• Strong Excel technical skills and attention to presentation
• Good communicator who can effectively manage and own relationships with Facility Agents and other internal stakeholders
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and Power Point essential
• French language skills desirable but not essential