European Financial Analyst Job in London WC2N 5HX, London UK
European Financial Analyst – International Video Game Developer and Publisher
c. £65,000 + bonus benefits Central London
This is a unique opportunity for a highly analytical accounting professional to join an internationally acclaimed US video game company and play a vital part in growing the company’s European presence. The challenge is to increase significantly the amount of financial information available to aid critical decision making across the company during a period of continuing rapid growth
The company
Our client is an award-winning creator and publisher of interactive entertainment for a range of gaming consoles, PC’s, wireless devices and online gaming. Headquartered in the US, the business has grown significantly in the last three years and has recently secured major new investment to fund further growth and acquisitions. The company has been operating in the UK since 2008 and has recently opened Sales/Marketing offices in 3 other European countries. As a result, there is a demand for the European Finance team to produce more detailed information relating to business performance and trends. This has led to the creation of a vital new role for a Financial Analyst to improve and expand the quality of the analysis being provided to the European management team and the US parent company.
The role
The role reports to the European Finance Director but requires close working relationships across the business. These include the UK based European Financial Controller, the finance teams in France, Germany and Benelux and the European management and sales/marketing teams. Some European travel is envisaged to develop both the relationships and the understanding of the business as a whole. The principal goal is to provide quality financial analysis of company performance and to participate fully in future planning through the budgeting/forecasting process.
Core responsibilities will include:
- Maintaining pan-European weekly/monthly sell-in data for all titles
- Working closely with sales and marketing teams to produce market/customer/product financial analysis as required
- Using market/competitive data to better analyse and predict sales out-turn scenarios
- Working with the Finance Director to create detailed regular management information for European managers and the US parent entity, to include: ongoing summary cash flow position, profitability by title, cumulative performance measurement and overall profitability performance
- Variance analysis of actual results against budget/forecast
- Assisting in the preparation of annual budget and regular reforecast for the European business
- Acting as the main catalyst to challenge and drive underlying business assumptions
The person
The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with in depth experience of all aspects of financial/management reporting and analysis gained in a significant commercial enterprise. In market sector terms, previous involvement in one or more of the video game, technology or publishing sectors is beneficial as is exposure to business models involving products with variable life cycles. Systems skills are paramount and should include advanced Excel and data modelling as well as integrated accounting and reporting software. Experience of a US parent company in an international environment is a distinct plus and applicants should have worked in organisations exposed to rapid growth and change. We need someone who is commercially aware, quick to learn and keen to gain a detailed understanding of the dynamics of the business. On a personal level we are looking for an analytical problem solver who can also communicate effectively and present information in a logical and understandable way. Other qualities required include the ability to fit quickly into a small, close knit team of professionals who have a strong work ethic, hands-on approach and focus on quality. The environment is one that will reward energy, drive and conviction.