Control Finance Analyst

A Bedfordshire based FTSE 100 company is looking for a Finance Controls Analyst to join their progressive and dynamic team.

The purpose of the Finance Controls Analyst is to assess the design and operational effectiveness of financial controls of the business. Key internal stakeholders include the Finance Director, Director of Financial control and Head of Finance on EMEA basis.

Key Responsibilities, of the Finance Controls Analyst, based in Luton are:

• Prepare and agree planning work to be carried out with the PI & R Financial Controller or Risk, Control & Process Improvement before performing controls validation over the financial controls framework (FCF) to assess both design and operational effectiveness through performance of process and control walkthroughs and/or carrying out sample controls testing
• Adequate and accurate documentation of the controls validation results carried out, maintaining a complete set of working papers to support resulting outcomes
• Reporting controls validation results to management in a timely manner, to support the quarterly FCF self-assessment by control owners
• Agreeing action plans for any identified control deficiencies with control owners, and assisting in tracking the progress of these actions, in order to report to the Controls Steering Group every month
• Monthly Controls testing and reporting
• Period end reviews that link into SOFY (Controls System)/ FCF sign off on Systems access controls, segregation of duties and assurance analysis for areas of focus
• Deviations analysis and sign off
• Perform remediation controls testing, where required
• Assisting the PI & R Financial Controller or Risk, Control & Process Improvement in preparing and rolling out training and awareness workshops to control owners and their teams, capturing feedback to continuously improve the overall FCF process
• Building effective relationships with key stakeholders, in order to work better together and identifying opportunities for improving or strengthening existing processes or controls
• Ad hoc work e.g. drafting E2E process flowcharts with MS Visio
• Engage with external auditors (Deloitte) to ensure that the controls work is positively reflected in their audit plans
• Develop an appropriate culture for the financial control environment throughout the business

The successful Finance Controls Analyst based in Luton, will ideally match the following criteria:

• Excellent academics - preferably with a degree from a leading university
• Qualified accountant (FTSE/Big Four) with 1-2 years PQE
• Deep understanding of the core principles of end to end financial processes
• A broad understanding of business processes, evaluating risks and designing and implementing controls
• Rounded technical skills - expertise across a range of accounting and financial areas
• Analytical rigour - a structured, methodical and broad-minded approach to business analysis.
• Excellent Interpersonal skills and a confident manner
• Organised, disciplined and results driven
• Challenging others - confident in challenging others, whilst maintaining a strong, professional relationship