Finance Business Partner

A leading global engineering consultancy is looking for a Finance Business Partner to join its growing UK Water team in Warrington.

This is a great opportunity for a newly qualified or part-qualified accountant to develop their commercial finance skills, working closely with operational and project teams to drive business performance.

What you'll do:

• Act as a Finance Business Partner for designated business areas, building strong relationships with operational and commercial stakeholders.

• Support the month-end process, communicating financial performance and providing clear commentary and variance analysis to operational teams.

• Assist with annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting, identifying key assumptions, risks and opportunities.

• Work closely with project management leads to identify actions that improve financial performance and drive profitability.

• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, particularly IFRS 15 and revenue recognition requirements.

• Develop an understanding of key client contracts, using commercial terms to inform financial analysis and decision-making.

• Partner with Project Accountants to support cash flow and working capital, analysing debtor days and identifying opportunities to improve cash collection.

• Support internal and external audits, ensuring actions are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.

• Maintain robust financial controls in line with the company's risk framework and SOX requirements.

• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, controls and processes, using digital tools and advanced Excel to drive efficiency and accuracy.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to promote a positive, inclusive and supportive working environment.

What you bring:

• Newly qualified or actively studying towards CIMA, ACCA or an equivalent accountancy qualification.

• Experience in finance business partnering, management accounting or project accounting.

• A good understanding of budgeting, forecasting, management reporting and financial controls.

• Knowledge of cash flow, working capital and project financial performance.

• An understanding of revenue recognition, ideally with exposure to IFRS 15 or project-based accounting.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.

• The confidence to build relationships, influence decisions and challenge constructively.

• A proactive, commercially minded approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

• Strong Excel and systems skills; Oracle ERP and Power BI experience would be advantageous.

• Experience within engineering, consulting, professional services or another project-based environment would be beneficial.

What's on offer?

• Hybrid working, with 2-3 days a week on-site in Warrington.

• Private medical cover.

• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days.

• Life insurance.

• Up to 6.5% pension contribution.

• Additional optional benefits.

• Occasional travel to other UK offices.

If you're looking for your next step in finance and want to join a growing team where you can develop your commercial skills, take on responsibility and make a real difference, please get in touch today!

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates