Finance Analyst

Job content

About us
We have been at the heart of the UK energy market for 25 years and are today playing a critical role in decarbonising the UK energy system. As a major energy services and smart metering company with technology, data and sustainability at the core of our ethos and business model, SMS is committed to delivering the future of smart energy.
We are proud of being both an equal opportunity employer and an accredited real living wage employer! We look out for our customers and our focus is ‘putting our people first’.

Our people enable us to do all of this by living our 5 core values: Safety, Customer excellence, Sustainability, Innovation and Pride.

Job Overview

The Financial Analyst for Utility Services will play a crucial role in SMS by performing various tasks that support major decisions of the business and will report directly into the Divisional Financial Controller.
This role will provide financial support to our Utility Services division and be the lead in moving processes and functions within this area forward.
Initially, you will undertake projects whilst managing the monthly management accounts. You will also lead in the reforecasting and budgeting for the division and be involved in any system and process improvements. The successful candidate will develop into a Business Partner for the Senior Operations Managers.

Work Schedule - 37.5 contractual hours per week , Monday - Friday between the hours of 8.30am -5pm.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Successfully deliver project work set by the FC/FD
• Prepare monthly financial reports including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow statements
• Coordinate accurate and timely month-end activities
• Balance sheet reconciliations
• Processing accruals, journals and prepayments
• Ensuring spend is in line with budgets and reviewing variances
• Assisting in short- and longer-term forecasts
• Tracking and reporting divisional risks and opportunities
• Develop and implement divisional MI packs
• Suggesting and implementing new processes with the Operations Teams
• Business Partner for the Senior Operations Managers
• Assisting with audit preparation (internal and external)
• Provide additional general support and complete ad-hoc tasks as required by the FC/FD
• To comply with all SMS plc Health, Safety and Environmental requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS

• Studying towards finance related qualification – ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
• GSCE’s in English and Mathematics
• Dynamics / SAP / AX12 system experience is desirable

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Part -qualified accountant with strong academic background and strong numeracy and analytical skills
• A self-starter and able to work on own initiative with minimal supervision
• A good understanding of accounting concepts and be competent with Excel
• Ability to explain information in a clear way
• Ability to work as part of a team but also as an individual
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience of developing MI and reporting
• Honesty and discretion

Personal Attributes

• Able to build good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Manages own workload effectively
• Demonstrable approach to self-development
• Curious about new ideas and able to translate them into viable plans
• Resilient and responsive to change
• Contributes to team development through sharing expertise
• Equipped to hit the ground running and deliver results

In Return
We support Mental, Physical and Financial wellbeing, and we’re proud of our benefits package to reward great talent which includes:

• 25 personal holiday days per year with additional allocation of 8 public holidays (includes options to buy and sell)
• After 5 years’ service, you will be rewarded with an additional 5 days annual leave increasing your total to 30 personal days and 8 public holidays.

Smart Health

Keeping our employees mentally and physically healthy is one of the things that matters most to us.

• Employee Assistance Programme (free access to counselling & support) with easy access via My Healthy Advantage app.
• Access to SmartHealth app - includes a free 24/7 online GP and a range of wellbeing services.
• Cycle Scheme - lower your carbon footprint whilst staying healthy.
• Medicash Employee health plan - Medicash offer health plans that look after you and your family by providing a range of positive healthcare benefits. Even better, they also take care of the money side of things with cash back to cover costs such as dental and optical bills, physiotherapy and even offer retail discounts.

Smart Savings

• Eligibility to join our Share Incentive Plan following 6 months employment
• Life Insurance cover where your next of kin will receive 4 times your annual salary
• Refer a friend bonus (£500)
• Corporate season ticket travel
• Length of service cash incentive
• Automatic enrolment into the Company Stakeholder Pension Scheme following 3 months employment.

The future looks bright

Your development is important to us - we support and encourage development including internal and external accredited courses, study support and E-Learning and internal promotion.

Job Type: Full-time