Financial Analyst

Financial Analyst Location: Oxford – Hybrid (minimum 3 days onsite) Contract: 6 months Initially Rate: £27.67 per hour PAYE / £37.01 per hour Umbrella IR35: Inside IR35 Security Clearance: DBS required; current SC clearance preferred We are currently recruiting for an experienced Financial Analyst to join a leading organisation within the aerospace and defence sector on an initial 6-month contract. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with strong hands-on experience across financial reporting, reconciliations, payroll, invoicing and month-end activities to support a busy finance function working across defence-related projects. The Role As a Financial Analyst, you will provide financial reporting support across key projects, while also contributing to future bid campaigns and the wider finance function. You will be responsible for a varied workload, working to tight deadlines and ensuring financial information is accurate, well controlled and delivered in a timely manner. Key Responsibilities * Processing payroll journals and supporting payroll activities * Fixed asset control, monitoring and reporting * Preparing and supporting VAT returns * Completing balance sheet reconciliations * Inter-company invoicing * Supporting statutory audit activity * Forex reporting * Supporting month-end processes and reporting * Providing financial reporting support across defence projects * Supporting future bid campaigns * Coordinating multiple priorities and ensuring deadlines are met * Applying appropriate financial controls and risk management principles About You We are looking for someone with solid practical finance experience rather than focusing solely on formal qualifications. You should have: * Good working knowledge of finance principles * Experience with payroll, fixed assets and invoicing * Experience of Forex reporting * Strong Excel and wider Microsoft Office skills * Good written and verbal communication skills * The ability to produce clear reports and procedures * Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities * Experience working to tight deadlines * An understanding of work package management and work package control * Knowledge of risk management principles Experience within aerospace, defence, engineering or another regulated environment would be advantageous, although transferable finance experience will be considered. Additional Information * Hybrid working, with a minimum of 3 days onsite in Oxford * Occasional travel within the UK and Europe may be required * A full UK driving licence is preferred but not essential * Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK * Candidates must be eligible to obtain/hold the required MoD security clearance * DBS clearance is required, with current SC clearance preferred Interested? If you're an experienced Financial Analyst looking for your next contract opportunity and this role sounds like a good fit, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now with your latest CV, and a member of the recruitment team will be in touch to discuss the opportunity in more detail