We have a great opportunity for a Finance Analyst to join EMEA IT to take ownership of the OPEX costs (Support & Maintenance) within the EMEA region.

 

The EMEA IT team are responsible for understanding the IT demands, priorities and problem areas within the business teams and making sure all IT requirements are understood and being managed.  Working closely with the COG Global Apps team (application development & EMEA infrastructure, based in Crawley) and the EMEA IT team to ensure that all service issues are addressed and OPEX demand is met and managed through the agreed governance process.

 

Within the EMEA IT team, the Finance Analyst will be responsible for working with the IT Leadership and Finance teams to develop and track OPEX budgets and drive strong financial controls, including oversight of the budget change request process, invoice approvals, VAT reverse charging & the allocation methodology.  They must have a good eye for detail, ability to investigating and explain when the numbers are not as expected and communicate effectively with both the finance and leadership team members on any risks/opportunities.

 

The role will also include involvement in drafting governance document, including OPEX forecast, the Annual Plan and 5 Year Strategy processes, and timely communication of issues and changes to all EMEA, FP&A and COG stakeholders, and assist the EMEA IT DFO and support them on improving processes and other adhoc projects.

 

The role will also include month end activities and journals in line with the regional timetable. The role will also help look after the Digital capital reporting and OPEX. The person should ensure robust and timely monitoring of the accruals and prepayment schedules, liaising with Financial Accounting to ensure correct and up-to-date cost accounting are in place, and help review with the EMEA IT DFO on the monthly cost centre costs and any variances during month end reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

Overview of OPEX budget information – proactively identifying risks and opportunities and communicating with both the Dept Managers and Intercompany Finance Team Close liaison with Dept Managers to develop a greater understanding of OPEX Financials and Intercompany teams. Timely and quality submission of the EMEA IT spend and expense forecast which will include preparation and review of analytical review commentary for the forecast reporting for the month and quarter ends and Full Year reporting. This will involve close liaison with FP&A Teams, Project Managers, Business Owners and COG stakeholders. Work with the team leads to review monthly actuals vs plan/forecast etc in respect of cost.  Understand the costs in the ledger and ensure any CAPEX costs are reclassed to the balance sheet. Understanding new run costs like Azure and helping to forecast them. Understand and facilitate the staff mapping in respect of Capital / Expense and managing costs across the two budget areas. Reporting on variances to plan / forecast in this respect and creating a reforecasting model to reflect any changes. Involvement and assistance in Governance Submissions. Understand and report on Actuals vs plan (by expense account summary i.e. staff costs & VAT) Monthly reporting, supporting the annual and 5 year strategy plans. Help manage the “Digital” Fixed Asset register. Compliance reporting from DORA Resiliency.  Understand the system allocation methodology and help explain the charges to the LOBs. Timely and quality submission of the monthly/ quarterly reports which include analysis and explanation of variances to plan, forecast and CIO reporting. Headcount reporting – help track our role IDs and Greece insourcing pipeline. Reconciliation and management of Statement of works and supplier invoices Verify supplier invoices against plan/forecast and provide the correct dept coding Challenge and police OPEX reporting within budget Produce process notes and training for dept mangers focusing on areas where accruals & releases offset one another Greater forecast and planning accuracy – reduction/removal of ‘financial surprises’ Work with Development and Finance teams to accurately and collaboratively report the Financial Position on OPEX Challenge the status quo, but ensure that the EMEA IT information requirement and COG stakeholders are met to enable them manage their expenses effectively. This will include proactively identifying areas of risk and opportunity within the EMEA IT expense base.

Experience

Commercial Acumen High level of analytical ability and process analysis Strong Systems and Excel knowledge High orientation to on-time delivery Proven record of meeting tight deadlines IT Finance FP&A experience Experience of dealing effectively with people at all levels (both financial & non financial)