A leading financial institution in London is seeking a Finance Business Partner - Costs to join their dynamic finance division. This role offers you the opportunity to play a pivotal part in managing and optimising cost accounting activities, supporting strategic business decisions, and driving efficiencies across the organisation. You will be at the heart of financial analysis, reporting, and stakeholder engagement, collaborating with teams both locally and internationally.

What you'll do:

• Take ownership of complete, accurate, and timely financial analysis and reporting for all cost-related activities within the branch and associated entities.
• Ensure correct recording and reporting of transactions from source systems into the General Ledger, including salary expenditure and operational costs.
• Calculate and recharge relevant components of London's costs to other group entities, drafting and posting journal entries as required.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of robust financial controls and processes that support financial reporting accuracy, completeness, and validity.
• Prepare and monitor reconciliations that underpin the financial reporting process, including bank and cash management responsibilities.
• Provide insightful commentary on monthly Income Statement and Balance Sheet deviations from forecasted and budgeted numbers, explaining variances in detail.
• Compile annual budgeted figures and monthly forecasts, including input into statutory (HFM) and regulatory (Bank of England) reporting requirements.
• Produce Management Information reports on a monthly or ad hoc basis, offering detailed variance analysis such as month-on-month movements.
• Advise on headcount allocation to cost centres in conjunction with HR and business stakeholders, ensuring optimal structures for financial reporting.
• Benchmark costs against external industry standards and internal group metrics, calculating key ratios for reference purposes.