Financial Planning and Analysis Specialist

We are seeking a Financial Planning and Analysis Analyst to join our team. In this role, you will support the provision of a consolidated view of financial business performance and planning to business partnering teams across the organization.

This is a hybrid role with opportunities to work from home and in our central Belfast office. You will be responsible for preparing and delivering financial planning and analysis to business areas enabling effective business decision making within Assessment and Qualifications.

You will also contribute to aspects of the budgeting and forecasting cycle, working closely with stakeholders to ensure accurate reporting and business decisions.

• Complete all technical responsibilities in a timely, efficient and accurate manner
• Manage/perform the preparation of ad-hoc analysis / production of reports as requested to support accurate reporting and business decisions
• Preparing variance analysis against performance targets
• Preparing monthly management reporting packs
• Assist in providing value add financial analysis to Finance Business Partners
• Manage the preparation of accruals / other adjustment journal entries as required
• Supporting in the Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting cycles through preparation of analyses and system loads working with the BPO team to complete in line with strict deadlines
• Ensure team performance targets are met and service is delivered to end users as expected
• Take proactive involvement in determining and implementing best practices within the finance team
• Reconcile data between source ERPs and consolidated reporting tools (Oracle/Hyperion) and seek explanations for significant variances
• Reviewing the output of our Bangalore based BPO team
• Ad hoc reporting and analysis as required
• Identify opportunities for continuous process improvement and innovative solutions and communicate these to your line manager
• Contribute to team effort and assist co-workers across all business divisions as needed to enable effective delivery

• A self-starter who is motivated to work under own initiative when required demonstrating initiative and sound judgement
• Ability to manage Stakeholders effectively
• Analytical/variance analysis skills, proven ability to review and analyse financial data and explain the results. Providing analysis to support decision making
• Intermediate user of Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel (v-lookups, sum-ifs, pivot tables etc.)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with both finance and non-finance professionals
• Experience of finance ERP systems (Oracle preferred but not essential)
• Ability to work to strict financial deadlines and to be able to prioritise to meet those deadlines
• A team player who is driven by customer service

• A competitive salary
• Flexible working
• 25 days annual leave, which increases by 1 day each year up to 30 days (with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days per year on top of this)
• A fantastic pension plan, where we double what you contribute
• Worldwide Save for Shares in Pearson
• Other benefits including private dental care, private medical insurance, digital GP service, season ticket loan, eye tests, cycle to work scheme, volunteering days, employee wellbeing assistance, discounted retail and leisure products, services from leading companies and much more

We are a global company that helps people realize their potential through learning. Our purpose is to make a positive impact on society by providing high-quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them.

We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough and we strive to create a workplace culture that reflects this.