Finance Business Partner Central Entities

We have an excellent opportunity at Inchcape’s head office for a Finance Business Partner. Reporting to the Finance Controller, this role is key in partnering with and supporting central entities accounting, providing insightful analysis to this area and other key stakeholders in the Group regarding central entities’ performance.

This position ensures financial controls are maintained while working collaboratively with Finance colleagues at Group level.

Job Role and Responsibilities:

Planning and Monitoring

• Track and monitor actuals in coordination with central entity budget holders.
• Review purchase orders and invoices to support actuals review.
• Assist with month-end journal preparation.
• Prepare forecast and budget submissions to Group.

Recharge Models

• Support recharge methodology and allocation models for centrally incurred project expenditure in collaboration with other stakeholders (e.g., Group Tax).
• Document and gather support for recharges and amounts to be recharged to the markets.
• Work with Group budget holders to manage ad hoc recharges to markets and ensure timely communication of charges.

Group Entities Reporting and Control

• Play a key role in developing finance reporting for Central and Group-wide projects.
• Track, report, analyse, and challenge Group costs, providing insights into costs incurred and actions required to meet targets.
• Engage, influence, and guide the team in understanding financial impacts and trends.
• Develop ad hoc analysis and reporting as required, proactively driving improvements.
• Support Group Finance with external and internal auditors, identify and mitigate risks, ensuring compliance with internal control policies.

Financial Accounting

• Assist with month-end close reporting activities, including balance sheet reconciliation reviews, and review month-end journals from the offshore finance team (GBS).
• Support Central AP activities, including payment runs, new supplier reviews, and resolving issues.
• Administer company corporate cards, ensuring compliance with internal control requirements.

Skills and Experience Required:

• Significant experience, fully qualified accountant with post-qualification experience.
• Advanced MS Excel skills.
• Experience working in a Plc or head office function (desirable).
• Previous experience in a multinational, multicultural environment, possibly in a matrix organisation.
• Knowledge and experience working with SAP Finance (desirable).
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong personal accountability and ability to work effectively in a matrix organisation.
• Hands-on, pragmatic approach, able to adapt to a complex, multi-business environment.
• Delivery-focused, with the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Creative thinker with a focus on improving business processes related to project management, financial accounting, and costs.
• Ability to influence and partner with senior managers, demonstrating organisational savvy, integrity, credibility, and a values-driven approach.
• Flexible and comfortable managing ambiguity, able to prioritise and achieve results in a fast-moving environment.
• High levels of drive, energy, enthusiasm, and passion, with the ability to create positive, effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.