Assistant Finance Business Partner (12 month fixed contract)

Assistant Finance Business Partner (12 month fixed contract)

Department: Business Services - Finance

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Bristol

Description We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Finance Business Partner (AFBP) to join our Bristol-based Finance Business Partnering team. We are a close-knit, collaborative team that supports the business in driving performance through insight, challenge, and strategic decision support. We are focused on continuous improvement and take pride in delivering high-quality outputs. This role offers a varied and engaging experience, supporting financial planning, analysis, and business partnering activities across several sectors including Health, Insurance, Real Estate, International, and Corporate & Commercial. The successful candidate will develop professional skills and gain exposure to management reporting, cost analysis, and stakeholder engagement, with a view to progressing towards managing a cluster in due course.
Key Responsibilities

• Assist Finance Business Partners in the preparation, testing, and population of budget and forecast templates.
• Produce and distribute weekly, monthly, and quarterly financial performance reports, including month-end reporting packs.
• Review and validate month-end data, ensuring accuracy of costs and commentary.
• Perform cost variance analysis and provide actionable insight.
• Maintain and monitor Timekeeper targets in 3E (the firm's Practice Management System).
• Provide ad hoc analysis and decision support to the Finance Business Partnering team and key stakeholders.
• Assist in structuring and standardising ad hoc reporting as demand increases.
• Monitor and respond to queries in the FBP mailbox, escalating or re-directing as necessary.
• Build relationships with colleagues in Finance and wider Business Services to obtain relevant information and ensure timely responses.
• Continuously improve Excel and data handling capabilities.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills (e.g. PivotTables, VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, charts).
• Working knowledge of management accounting principles.
• Studying towards AAT, or part-qualified CIMA / ACCA (or equivalent). Accountancy graduates and Advanced AAT students will also be considered.
• Strong attention to detail with an analytical and questioning mindset.
• Positive attitude with a willingness to "roll up your sleeves" and get into the detail.
• Fast learner, capable of absorbing and applying new knowledge.
• Self-motivated, proactive problem-solver, and team player.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Organised and able to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
• IT literate, with strong Excel skills. Experience with 3E is desirable but not essential.