Finance Analyst

United Utilities is looking for a commercially minded Finance Analyst to join a high-performing finance team supporting a key operational business area. This vacancy has arisen following the promotion of the current postholder, demonstrating the genuine career development opportunities available within the team and wider organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone progressing through their AAT, ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification to gain exposure to senior stakeholders, influence business decisions and develop both their technical and commercial finance skills within one of the UK's largest utility organisations.

The role combines structured monthly reporting, forecasting and planning activities with a reactive operational environment, meaning you'll need strong organisational skills, a calm and pragmatic approach, and the ability to manage competing priorities. We're looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced setting, adapts quickly to new processes and ways of working, and enjoys building strong relationships while making a tangible impact through finance.

What You'll Be Doing

In this role, you'll partner closely with approximately 20 stakeholders, acting as a trusted financial advisor and providing meaningful insight to support operational and financial performance. You'll need the confidence to challenge assumptions, question spending decisions and hold stakeholders accountable where required, while building strong and credible working relationships across the business.

• Deliver accurate financial analysis, variance reporting and performance insights, monitoring financial KPIs and performance trends to support business decision-making.
• Prepare and maintain spend control reporting for senior leadership, providing clear and actionable financial commentary.
• Partner with budget holders to prepare budgets and forecasts, challenging assumptions, analysing cost drivers and identifying risks to ensure robust financial planning.
• Support month-end activities including journals, accruals, prepayments, reconciliations, financial controls and external audit requirements.
• Translate complex financial information into clear business insights, confidently challenging assumptions, costs and performance outcomes to support informed decision-making.
• Hold operational teams accountable to agreed financial and performance measures while maintaining a collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
• Drive improvements in reporting, data quality and operational efficiency, supporting finance transformation initiatives, embedding new ways of working and adapting to evolving business requirements.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Experience in management accounting, financial analysis or a similar finance role, including reporting, budgeting and forecasting responsibilities.
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnering skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence operational managers and support commercial decision-making.
• Excellent communication, organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple demands and translate complex financial information into meaningful business insight.
• Adaptable, resilient and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment undergoing continual change and improvement.

Desirable

• Working towards an accounting qualification (AAT, ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Experience working within a large, complex organisation, partnering with multiple stakeholders across operational business areas.
• Exposure to ERP systems, reporting tools or Power BI.

Why This Role

At United Utilities, you'll have the opportunity to play a visible and influential role within a key operational area of the business, partnering with around 20 stakeholders to drive performance and support decision-making. Combining technical finance with commercial business partnering, you'll gain exposure to budgeting, forecasting, performance analysis and operational finance within a large and complex organisation.

Alongside excellent opportunities for career progression, you'll gain exposure to large-scale operations, business transformation initiatives and senior stakeholder engagement, helping you build the experience needed to take the next step in your finance career.

Benefits

• 26 days' annual leave (rising to 30 after four years) plus 8 bank holidays
• Competitive pension with up to 14% employer contribution and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus and recognition awards
• Company-funded healthcare plan
• MyGymDiscounts: savings on gyms and digital fitness
• Access to Best Doctors, Salary Finance and Wealth at Work
• Retail deals and discounts
• EVolve car scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy scheme
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave

If you're a Finance Analyst, Assistant Accountant or part-qualified finance professional looking to develop your business partnering skills, influence operational decision-making and accelerate your career within a leading UK organisation, we'd love to hear from you.