Group Financial Planning Analyst

**Job Description**:
**Reference Number: JA-GFPA**-001**

Our client within the retail sector is looking for an energetic Group Financial Planning Analyst to support the Group Financial Planning Manager in the delivery of the Group’s strategic plan through the Integrated Business Plan (IBP), Budgeting & Forecasting processes and supporting Executive decision-making with professional financial analysis. The role will include research and providing insights on macro-economic factors impacting performance, as well as benchmark competitor performance.

**Responsibilities**:

- Collaborate cross functionally to deliver an integrated 3-year financial plan (IBP) that is aligned with the Group’s ‘Growth Blueprint’, strategic priorities and guidance to the market.
- Assist in setting Group and subsidiary 3-year financial targets
- Develop and maintain the Group Financial Planning model
- Consolidate the IBP, Annual Budget, and Forecasts in line with latest IFRS standards | Resolve queries across group submissions | Maintain and periodically update submission templates | Provide training on completion of submission templates to subsidiary teams
- Work closely with the Group Reporting team to ensure the Planning Consolidation Models are completely in sync and all relevant consol adjustments taken into account.
- Play an active role in planning review sessions | Review commentary packs ahead of the meeting and proactively flag questions with the teams
- Support the Group Strategy team in managing the Group Scorecard
- Assist in summarising Group budgets and forecasts into reports for the Group CFO and CEO
- Assist in drafting papers to the Board (IBP, Budget and Forecast papers)
- Perform analysis on key financial risk / opportunity areas to support and inform decision making for the Group. The financial levers are understood and communicated to the business together with clear recommendations. e.g., Online profitability reporting / IFRS16
- Analysis of competitor results and benchmarking (in South Africa and Australia), identifying and reporting upon key differentiators in corporate performance.
- Analysis of key macro-economic opportunities and risks to formulate a view on expected impact on key financial drivers.
- Complete special projects that could result in improved financial efficiencies across the businesses.
- Ensure that best practices are implemented across the business in respect of planning activities.
- Monitor, track, and report on progress of financials on key projects across the group
- Actively liaise and work with other teams, including treasury, tax, HR and NTP to ensure complete alignment of input into business planning across the group.
- Plan, manage and report on group costs, STI and LTI
- Develop and update valuation models for the group

**Skills**
- Good understanding of financial planning principles and accounting/reporting standards
- Financial modelling skills to build robust and integrated models for different and complex business models
- Understanding of accounting processes and internal controls
- Experience with multi-currency reporting and translation
- Able to effectively plan using latest decision support technologies (e.g., Hyperion, Oracle, Excel).
- Ability to develop and manage detailed budgeting and forecasting plans
- Work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Able to explain difficult financial concepts to senior management
- Able to communicate complex and often contentious matters to a wide range of audiences both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to build strong networks and strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders and to work effectively with other teams and across businesses
- Good reporting writing skills with the ability to explain key insights succinctly
- Demonstrates fanatical attention to detail.
- Advanced Excel modelling skills
- Advanced PowerPoint skills
- Working across multiple geographies at a group level (HO based)
- Experience in financial reporting and planning
- Experience in developing complex financial planning models for multiple entities

**Qualifications**
- Relevant Financial qualification - CA (SA) / CIMA or B Com (Honours)
- 3 years post qualifying experience (minimum)

**Jamie Adams**

Recruitment Specialist

**CA Finance**

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