Overview of role

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional studying towards an accounting qualification who is looking to broaden their experience across a wide range of finance activities within a fast-paced, dynamic business.

Working closely with the Financial Controller and key stakeholders, you'll play an important role in delivering accurate financial reporting, supporting business decision-making and maintaining a strong financial control environment. You'll gain exposure to budgeting and forecasting, business partnering, treasury, trade finance, tax, audit and Group reporting, providing a well-rounded development opportunity.

You'll take ownership of balance sheet reconciliations, month-end journals and overhead reporting, partnering with budget holders to provide insightful analysis and support effective cost management. You'll also contribute to treasury and foreign exchange activities, trade finance processes and compliance requirements across the business.

As part of your role, you'll help drive continuous improvement by enhancing reporting, streamlining processes and strengthening controls through the effective use of technology, including AI where appropriate.

This highly visible 12-month fixed-term contract offers valuable exposure to senior leadership and the wider Associated British Foods (ABF) Group, making it an excellent opportunity to accelerate your finance career.

Key Accountabilities

• Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving reconciling items on a timely basis.
• Prepare and post month-end journals, including accruals, prepayments and other accounting adjustments.
• Support monthly business segment reporting as part of the Flour segment finance team.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting activities for central overhead cost centres, including monthly reporting, variance analysis and commentary.
• Build effective relationships with departmental budget holders, supporting them in understanding financial performance and managing costs.
• Support periodic and year-end reporting submissions to ABF Group and respond to Group Finance queries.
• Coordinate FX hedge requests and treasury activities with ABF Treasury, including periodic currency risk reviews and reporting.
• Manage the Import Bills for Collection process and supplier payments for Cash Against Documents suppliers, liaising with banking partners, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Prepare annual Payroll Settlement Agreement calculations and support statutory tax, VAT and employment tax compliance requirements.
• Support internal and external audit requirements, maintaining appropriate documentation, audit trails and control evidence.
• Support the Financial Control Framework, Management Controls Document and controls calendar in line with Westmill and ABF requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve, automate and streamline finance processes and reporting, including use of D365 and AI where appropriate.

The Right Person

You're an ambitious and commercially minded finance professional currently studying towards ACA, ACCA or CIMA. You enjoy analysing data, solving problems and working collaboratively with stakeholders to support better business outcomes.

You combine strong technical and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail and a proactive approach. Confident communicating with both finance and non-finance colleagues, you're able to build effective relationships, provide constructive challenge and influence where needed.

You'll be organised, adaptable and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a busy environment. Experience gained within FMCG, manufacturing or supply chain businesses, would be beneficial, alongside exposure to areas such as budgeting and forecasting, financial controls, audit, treasury, Dynamics 365 or Group reporting.

Most importantly, you're keen to learn, develop and build a broad finance skillset. You're excited by the opportunity to gain exposure across multiple disciplines while working closely with senior stakeholders in a business that supports growth and development.