Financial Planning Analyst

This role will support the FP&A Manager / Group Services Finance Business Partner across multiple areas within Group Services, providing budgeting, forecasting, and performance support while acting as a constructive and trusted challenge to stakeholders. It also plays a key part in driving continuous improvement within the Finance team, contributing to the development and embedding of standard operating procedures for local FP&A, and supporting enhancements to reporting, insight generation, and operational efficiency.

What you’ll be doing as a Financial Planning Analyst

• Delivering high‑quality budgeting, forecasting, and performance insight for Group Services areas, acting as a trusted partner who provides constructive challenge and clear financial guidance
• Support delivery of financial plans through relevant and accurate analysis and reporting – highlighting trends, analysing causes and impact of unexpected variances
• Gain clear understanding of the business units finance proposals, including cost drivers, KPIs and outcomes expected
• Contribute to the enhancement of FP&A reporting through improved automation, self‑serve capabilities, and standardisation, either by delivering changes directly or by supporting SMEs to drive these improvements
• Driving continuous improvement across FP&A processes, helping to develop, refine, and embed standard operating procedures to strengthen local FP&A capability
• Produce ad-hoc financial analysis as required

Base Location: Reading – Hybrid
Working Pattern or hours:  36 hours

What you should bring to the role
To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is:

• Part qualified accountant
• Strong analytical, Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong communications experience – presenting financial analysis to senior management

Additional skills and experiences would be great to have/bring:

• Qualified accountant
• Extensive experience in FP&A function with a proven track record in ‘adding value’
• System experience with SAP, SAC Reporting, PowerBI and HFM preferable

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from up to £60,000 per annum, depending on experience
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays) 
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.