Finance Business Partner

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, we're the publicly owned operator of Britain's rail infrastructure. We're trusted custodians of one of our nation's most critical public assets:
Scotland's Railway. We keep Scotland moving - connecting people and places, supporting businesses, public services and communities - driving economic, social and environmental success. Our work spans almost 20% of the UK network and between 2024 and 2029, we're investing £4.8 billion to enhance our stations and routes, supporting new passenger and freight rolling stock. Working together with train operators, our investment will mean a more reliable, climate resilient railway;

a better customer experience; and greener, more sustainable travel that links cities, towns, urban and rural communities with each other and with the wider UK. But it's our people who make this progress possible. At Network Rail Scotland, you'll find an inclusive, supportive and flexible working culture where your ideas are valued, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real.

Join us.
This is your railway - and it's moving forward.

To work with the supported business leadership team, under the direction of the Financial Controller/Senior Finance Business Partner, to deliver professional finance and accounting advice. Provides proactive, value add finance support to the business leaders across the function/route.

Please note this is a 12-month secondment/FTC.

Here are some of the duties your role will include:

• Lead and provide financial advice and guidance to senior budget holders in understanding the impact of the period results and forecasts against budgets so they can understand their business better.
• Be the expert in the function on accounting practices and advise on financial results and forecasts for budget holders, including preparing period accruals, transfers and adjustments to validate accounts are reflective, relevant.
• Manage corporate governance throughout the cost centres they manage, conducting deep dives and reviewing compliance with financial regulations to protect the business from legal or negative consequences.
• Deliver expert and accurate business review information and reporting, and highlight any significant issues with financial and other business results to enable informed decision making by the business area.
• Engage and influence senior members of the team to help them understand their financial position and use professional expertise to guide in initiatives to improve business performance.
• Build bottom up, detailed plans to manage and develop the production of business plans and budgets to enable good corporate governance and value add analysis for senior leaders.
• Identify and proactively manage commercial risks, including the financial suitability of new customers or suppliers reducing the potential risk impact on the business area and influencing decision makers.
• Manage the performance of central accounting functions to deliver for the cost centre area to enable an efficiently and effective accounting service.
• Collate, investigate and make recommendation for investment appraisals and business case analysis to aid business decisions.
• Model and analyse cost base and identify and drive opportunities and efficiencies to achieve area targets.

• Demonstrate strong understanding of business needs and relevant application of accounting standards
• Membership (Or working towards a membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA)
• Expert knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining accounts and annual budget
• Significant experience within relevant finance disciplines
• Strong excel skills and use of data manipulation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to interpret technical accounting regulations into everyday language
• Demonstrable effective influencing skills at a senior level
• Significant understanding of financial control and risk
• Excellent technical finance and accounting knowledge

• Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects
• Membership of a relevant accounting body
• Extensive experience of…