Job Description

At Network Rail, we\'re part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network.

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We\'re an organisation where people matter. When you\'re part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions.

The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway and we serve communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula.
Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we\'re empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.

About our people and the recruitment process - We\'re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

\xc2\xb7 Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.

\xc2\xb7 A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.

\xc2\xb7 GWR ticket alliance - Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 5 friends and family to use across the GWR network (20 passes per year)

\xc2\xb7 Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.

\xc2\xb7 A range of Pension schemes to choose from

\xc2\xb7 Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, and enhanced family friendly support.

\xc2\xb7 5 days paid volunteering leave.

\xc2\xb7 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.

\xc2\xb7 In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.

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We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone.

Brief Description

To work with the supported business leadership team, under the direction of the Senior Finance Business Partner, to deliver professional finance and accounting advise.

Provides proactive, value add finance support to the business leaders across the function/route.

About the role (External)

Your Main Responsibilities will be to:

1. Lead and provide financial advice and guidance to senior budget holders in understanding the impact of the period results and forecasts against budges so they can understand their business better.

2. Be the expert in the function on accounting practices and advise on financial results and forecasts for budget holders, including preparing period accruals, transfers and adjustments to validate accounts are reflective, relevant.

3. Manage corporate governance throughout the cost centres they manage, conducting deep dives and reviewing compliance with financial regulations to protect the business from legal or negative consequences.

4. Deliver expert and accurate business review information and reporting, and highlight any significant issues with financial and other business results to enable informed decision making by the business area.

5. Engage and influence senior members of the team to help them understand their financial position and use professional expertise to guide in initiatives to improve business performance

6. Build bottom up, detailed plans to manage and develop the production of business plans and budgets to enable good corporate governance and value add analysis for senior leaders

7. Identify and proactively manage commercial risks, including the financial suitability of new customers or suppliers reducing the potential risk impact on the business area and influencing decision makers.

8. Manage the performance of central accounting functions to deliver for the cost centre area to enable an efficiently and effective accounting service.

9. Collate, investigate and make recommendation for investment appraisals and business case analysis to aid business decisions.

10. Model and analyse cost base and identify and drive opportunities and efficiencies to achieve area targets.

You will ideally have

\xc2\xb7 Demonstrate strong understanding of business needs and relevant application of accounting standards

\xc2\xb7 Membership (Or working towards a membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA)

\xc2\xb7 Expert knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining accounts and annual budget

\xc2\xb7 Significant experience within relevant finance disciplines

\xc2\xb7 Strong excel skills and use of data manipulation

\xc2\xb7 Strong interpersonal and communication skills

\xc2\xb7 Ability to interpret technical accounting regulations into everyday language

\xc2\xb7 Demonstrable effective influencing skills at a senior level

\xc2\xb7 Significant understanding of financial control and risk

\xc2\xb7 Excellent technical finance and accounting knowledge

What could set you apart

\xc2\xb7 Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects

\xc2\xb7 Membership of a relevant accounting body

\xc2\xb7 Extensive experience of Oracle based systems

\xc2\xb7 Degree or equivalent qualification in finance and accounting or business management or experience

Not sure if you meet all the requirements? Let us decide.

How to apply (External)

\xc2\xa343,588 to \xc2\xa349,037 per annum.

Closing date: 11th September 2023.

Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.

Click \'apply now\' to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We\'re constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we\'re working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team. If you would like support with your application or interview please contact or visit the connect page: . For all other support please contact your HR Business Partner.

Network Rail is a and we\'ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit for advice on accessibility support if you\'re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard has changed. All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5-year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.

Network Rail