Finance Analyst

Harper May is working with a founder-led retail group operating across physical and digital channels, with a regional footprint and strong growth momentum. The business has scaled meaningfully over the past three years and is now investing in its finance capability to support expansion into new markets and product lines. They are seeking a Finance Analyst to strengthen their financial reporting and analysis function.

The Role Reporting to the Finance Director, you will own financial analysis and reporting across the retail operations, translating complex data into insight that drives commercial decision-making. This role sits at the intersection of finance and the business-you will need to be as comfortable with spreadsheets as you are communicating findings to store managers and the trading team. It suits a qualified or part-qualified accountant who thrives in a retail environment where priorities shift and clarity is valued over process.

Deliver weekly and monthly reporting on sales, margin, and cash position by location and channel

Conduct variance analysis on trading performance and highlight drivers of deviation from plan

Support annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting across the store and online estate

Analyse promotional effectiveness, range performance, and category profitability

Manage balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, and month-end close procedures

Build and maintain financial models to support planning and scenario testing

Work with operational teams to improve data quality and strengthen financial controls

What we are looking for

ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified or part-qualified

Previous retail experience or exposure to multi-site, high-transaction environments

Confident with Excel; comfortable working with large datasets and building analytical tools

Knowledge of margin mechanics and stock accounting

Ability to explain numbers clearly to non-finance audiences without losing accuracy

Resilient and pragmatic; comfortable with ambiguity and tight deadlines