Cost Business Partner - #2174701

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a commercially minded Cost Business Partner to join a high-performing finance team within a leading professional services environment. This role will work closely with senior business leaders, department heads and operational stakeholders to drive cost performance, identify efficiencies and support strategic decision-making across the business.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Finance Business Partner, Management Accountant or Commercial Accountant who enjoys working closely with stakeholders and wants to take on a broader, more commercially focused role. Applications are welcomed from individuals looking to move from a traditional management accounting background into a position with greater business partnering and strategic influence.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Optimisation & Business Partnering

• Develop a detailed understanding of business costs, cost drivers and operational activities.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving, efficiency and cost avoidance opportunities.
• Build business cases that clearly demonstrate financial benefits, risks and implementation considerations.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to challenge expenditure and improve financial performance.
• Maintain and monitor a pipeline of cost-saving initiatives and track benefits delivered.
• Analyse supplier spend, contracts and consumption trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Share successful cost initiatives across the wider business.

Management Accounting & Commercial Analysis

• Analyse monthly financial performance and investigate key cost variances.
• Lead regular cost performance reviews with budget holders and senior management.
• Produce rolling forecasts and provide insight into emerging risks and opportunities.
• Translate financial analysis into practical recommendations and actions.
• Develop meaningful management reporting focused on costs, headcount, risks and opportunities.
• Support the development of reporting, cost allocation methodologies and management information.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the cost budgeting process across multiple departments.
• Partner with key stakeholders to develop realistic and evidence-based budgets.
• Support headcount and salary planning in collaboration with HR.
• Build and monitor capital expenditure budgets.
• Drive continuous improvement of budgeting processes, reporting and systems.
• Ensure budgets and forecasts are delivered accurately and on time.

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to finance transformation and process improvement initiatives.
• Support benchmarking exercises and commercial reviews.
• Assist with system implementations and finance projects.
• Provide guidance and support to junior team members where required.

About You

You will be a commercially aware finance professional with strong analytical skills and the confidence to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Key requirements include:

• Experience within a Management Accountant, Finance Business Partner, Commercial Accountant or similar finance role.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis experience.
• Experience identifying and delivering cost savings, efficiencies or process improvements.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to present financial information in a clear and commercially meaningful way.
• Strong Excel skills; Power BI experience would be advantageous.
• Experience within professional services would be beneficial, but candidates from other industries are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to move into a highly commercial business partnering role.
• Significant exposure to senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Chance to influence business performance and drive meaningful change.
• Collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Flexible hybrid working model.
• Open to talented Management Accountants looking to take the next step in their career and transition into a more strategic, commercially focused position.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you know someone who would be great at this role, why not take advantage of our referral scheme? We offer £200 in shopping vouchers for every referred candidate who we place in a role. Terms & Conditions Apply.