Finance Analyst
Businesses survive or fail on the strength of their ability to accurately measure the way they perform in their sectors, and to make solid forecasts on how the market is going. This number-crunching is vital for choosing investment pathways, deciding on boosting or scaling back service streams, and making decisions about locations, staffing and all manner of opportunities and threats. It’s why the finance analyst plays such a pivotal role in any ambitious company.
The successful finance analyst will be able to see the big picture regarding the business’s performance, but they are also detail people, able to spot the beginnings of trends from the merest financial signal. They’ll be able to accurately model a range of potential responses, which can then be taken to the board to make informed decisions about future directions.
Skills required by finance analysts
Finance analyst jobs naturally require a thorough understanding of the way investment and business performance work, and will be able to distinguish patterns from outliers as they are analysing the data. Most positions demand CIMA, ACCA or ACA qualifications as a minimum with experience, but you might also require a CFA Charter.
Since you’ll be presenting cases to the directors to base decisions on, you’ll need to be able to condense extremely complex datasets into simple, readable and convincing reports and forecasts that can be relied upon. Finance analysts with a good track record in this area are highly sought after.
Finance Analyst Jobs in Wales
Known for its stunning coastlines and charming villages, sweeping landscapes and bustling cities and towns like Cardiff, Swansea, Barry, Newport and Aberystwyth, Wales offers an array of opportunities for those seeking Finance Analyst vacancies.
With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the Welsh economy expanded significantly and the few small industries that existed before the 18th century - such as agriculture, milling, textile production and mining - all grew rapidly.
Techniques for copper smelting were developed in Swansea, while ironwork, slate quarrying and coal mining were also big business. Meanwhile, the Cardiff docks were extremely important during the 19th century for the shipment of coal and steelwork.
Today, Wales has a predominately post-industrial economy and the service sector has grown significantly since the end of the second world war. A number of financial companies have regional headquarters here, including Legal & General, HBOS, ING Direct, the AA and BT.
In addition, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is situated in Swansea - it maintains a database of vehicles in Great Britain and deals with other tasks like selling private number plates and issuing licences.
While heavy industry in Wales has declined over the years, the country is still home to a number of manufacturing and steelmaking facilities. Indeed, the Port Talbot Steel Works produces around five million tonnes of steel every year. There are also two oil refineries in Milford Haven, as well as a Ford engine factory in Bridgend.
Agriculture and food production are another element to the Welsh economy, while forestry and fishing are small but thriving industries in the region.
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Finance analyst recruitment at Cast UK
When you’re looking for the type of finance analyst who can really get under the skin of your company’s performance and prospects, turn to Cast UK to find the right person. We have the details of incredibly talented finance analysts who are looking for a career move right now. Call us on 0333 121 3345 to talk to a consultant.
If you’re an experienced and qualified finance analyst, we want to hear from you so we can introduce you to some of the UK’s most forward-looking businesses. Register with us below to get started.
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