Finance Manager

Company Description/ Business Unit

Location: Basingstoke (Hybrid)
Employment Type: Full time / Permanent
Business Area/Function: Finance Central Services FP&A
Application Closing Date: Thursday 5^th December 2024

Thought The AA only provide roadside assistance? Think again.

For over 100 years, we’ve continued to evolve and adapt. Today, as the nation’s number one motoring organisation, we offer a range of excellent products and services to millions of customers from roadside assistance to home and motor insurance as well as providing the latest driving technologies. As we continue to expand, diversify, and modernise, joining us as our Finance Manager, you’ll play a key part to our success and join us on this exciting motoring journey.

This is the job

As our Finance Manager, you will play a key role in managing and producing the group management accounts for our PLC and executive boards. This pivotal role serves as a vital connection between our finance team and the company's executives, providing them with a consolidated monthly overview of business performance.

Your responsibilities include ensuring the timely and accurate completion of monthly group management accounts, including insightful variance analysis. It requires managing the month-end process, leading review sessions to understand financial variances, and spearheading improvement initiatives to enhance reporting processes using AI and in-house systems. 

What will I be doing?

• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of monthly group management accounts, providing relevant and up-to-date variance analysis.
• Manage the month-end process across finance, communicating timetables to the Accounting/Business Partner community and ensuring adherence to deadlines.
• Lead monthly review sessions with Business Partners to analyse P&L variances, cash flow, internal KPIs, and external competitor benchmarks. Assess future risks and opportunities to achieve full-year targets.
• Drive improvement initiatives to enhance management accounts reporting and create on-demand reporting capabilities by leveraging AI developments and in-house systems (e.g., Copilot, Power BI/Automate).
• Maintain and improve the management accounting structure, including GL accounts, cost centre to business unit hierarchy, and the overall chart of accounts.
• Investigate and resolve inaccuracies in financial results by collaborating with the Finance and systems team to address G/L reconciliations and consolidation issues.
• Oversee group-wide exceptional costs, including forecasting and analysis of actuals.
• Enhance the linkage between results reporting and forward-looking planning activities by collaborating with the FP&A and FBP community.

What do I need?

Capability, Knowledge and Experience:

• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to swiftly review information and provide accurate forecasts and comparisons.
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, including expertise in forecast modelling, building reporting suites, and presenting information clearly.
• Strong communication skills to effectively discuss financial results with non-financial senior leaders.
• A holistic approach to analysing financial and business results, considering all factors that influence the organization.
• Experience in coordinating work across a large finance team.
• Proven ability to compile Executive and Board-level reporting packs and information.

Education and Qualifications:

• Professional qualification in finance ACCA, ACA, CIMA or similar. Extensive experience in a Group / multi entity organisation with particular experience within a Management Accounts environment, in a similar size and complexity of business.

Additional information

We’re always looking to recognise and reward our employees for the work they do. As a valued member of The AA team, you’ll have access to a range of benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme
• Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution
• Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends
• Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
• Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more
• Company funded life assurance
• Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family

Plus, so much more!

We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best and feel like you truly belong. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.