Finance Business Partner

Big things are happening at Topps Tiles. As Britain's largest specialist tile retailer, selling only the very best quality on–trend products, GBP1 of every GBP3 spent in the UK domestic tile market is spent with us. We've got 300 stores and have just hit record sales of GBP223m. And we're as big on career opportunities as we are on outstanding service and great value. After all, it's brilliant, friendly, knowledgeable people that make us special. Right now we're on a journey of exciting growth, as we build on seven consecutive years of success – there's never been a better time to join the Topps Tiles family.

We are currently looking for a Finance Business Partner to join the team! In this newly created role, reporting into the Head of FP&A, you will take responsibility for the running of the month–end accounts and all financial planning and analysis activities for the new Online businesses ( Pro Tiler and Tile Warehouse). This role will cover both financial accounting and management accounting activities.

Key Accountabilities

• To be focussed on the key customer groups and the key deliverables – principally timely and accurate financial reporting and analysis to business managers.
• Work with the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis to deliver a three–year financial plan, and one year budget, which will help the businesses to deliver their strategy and goal.
• To ensure that key aspects of the financial accounting processes are appropriately administered and information is available in a timely fashion.
• Close off the ledgers within agreed timescales and ensure that all key balance sheet control accounts have been reconciled and approved on a monthly basis.
• Ensure robust financial processes exist to support the integrity of reporting and ultimately safeguard the company against loss (e.g. balance sheet recs, bank recs, etc) and that regulatory processes are complied with (HMRC, Companies Act, etc)
• Be the primary point of liaison with company auditors for the businesses.

People/Leadership

• Provide coaching and support to the Pro Tiler accounts team.
• Ability to communicate confidently and concisely, across all departments and levels of seniority within the businesses.
• Wherever possible, strive to develop colleagues and (in conjunction with the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis) offer opportunities for career progression, subject to their wants / needs.

Financial / Commercials

• Responsibility for ensuring that financial performance is well understood across the organisation – appropriate reporting and variances to expectations are available and actionable, commercial insight is generated in a way that colleagues generate learnings and instigate change.
• Ensure that the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis is well appraised of the financial position of the businesses, for example performance vs budget and emerging long term trends.
• Preparation of information for company presentations – annual conference, Board updates etc.
• Preparation of month end management accounts and presentation to CEO and CFO at monthly Board meetings.
• Work with auditors to ensure subsidiary statutory accounts are produced within the required timescales.
• Ensure that the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis is well appraised of the company's financial position, including cash forecasting.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• Qualified accountant, 5+ years PQE.
• Experience of operating at a senior functional level – managing the team day to day.
• Good working knowledge of accounting systems – general ledger, purchase ledger, sales ledger, bank recs etc.
• Good working knowledge of core finance processes – monthly management accounts (including commentary on variances), stock accounting, weekly reporting, budgeting & planning, decision / commercial support.
• Experience of liaising with company auditors (internal and external) and providing information and explanations required.
• Experience of working as finance lead on cross functional business initiatives – advising the team on financial considerations and / or implications or proposed projects.
• Good level of commerciality – be able to participate in commercial / operational discussions with budget holders and prompt debate on key areas of under / over performance.
• Effective communication skills – both on a 1:1 basis and in a group environment.

In a culture where hard work is recognised and great results are rewarded, you can look forward to a company bonus that will give you a share of our success – up to 25% of your base salary. Then there's a generous staff discount, a Share Save scheme, pension and life assurance, a holiday allowance that increases with length of service and a wide range of other benefits. Plus flexible working, free on–site parking, generous discounts on products and services and more. A lot more. We're committed to promoting talent from within too, which means you'll be well–supported to build a rewarding career with an individual development plan and lots of training on offer.