finance business partner.

Finance business partners contribute to the ongoing financial success of companies. Some of the tasks of a finance business partner include:

• review commercial performance: as a finance business partner, you review company performance monthly or annually and compare it with the defined business goals. You review financial reports and track various departments' performance to determine areas for improvement. For instance, you can find ways to improve operational efficiency if the production costs are high.
• supporting business planning: the central role of a finance business partner is forecasting financial performance and assisting the company with financial planning. You also perform financial analysis and modelling to help the board of directors plan the business expansion. The company can make sound decisions with an economic forecast for every investment.
• identifying and measuring key performance indicators: as a finance business partner, you identify the performance indicators of a company and use them to measure success. You calculate the return on investment for every expansion idea you propose to help the management find the best opportunities.
• providing finance and business support to operations: advising the board of directors on expansion and company growth. You also work with operations staff. You help the commercial, sales and operations teams understand the company's goals. You also translate company strategies into actions and measures employees can incorporate into their daily routines.
• investigating significant budgetary variances: when a department exceeds its budget by a substantial margin, a finance business partner can help them improve the budgeting process. As a finance business partner, you investigate and analyse the financial position of each department monthly. If you find any variances, you establish the cause and provide financial management strategies to the budget holders.
• analysing the impact of service changes: when a company introduces a new business model or product, you explore the impact of the changes on business performance. You investigate costs and help various departments adjust their budgets to meet changing needs. You also work with senior managers to prepare for changes and meet the company's financial goals.

A finance business partner works indoors. The role mainly involves working on the computer and attending meetings. However, some board meetings are conducted outside the business premises, allowing you to work outdoors occasionally. As a finance business partner, your work involves minimal travelling, although you sometimes attend conferences and industry events. If the company has offsite manufacturing units or mining sites, you visit the external work sites. When working for a multinational company, your role may involve international travel. You ensure that strategies are in line with the expectations of the board of directors for consistent growth in all branches. Your role requires formal wear at all times.

Depending on your employer and industry, your colleagues might include finance managers, chief executive officers, marketing coordinators and marketing managers. You might also be working close to accountants, finance analysts, and finance managers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, consultants, project managers and operations managers.

As a finance business partner, you work regular business hours, although your work often extends to evenings and weekends. You work an average of 40 hours weekly, but you should expect to work late sometimes to meet deadlines. You also attend late meetings and company engagements. Finance business partner positions are often full-time, but you can find part-time roles, especially in consultancy firms. Some finance business partners work remotely and attend meetings via teleconferencing. However, most companies need to provide working-from-home opportunities for finance business partners.

You are only a few steps from executive management positions as a finance business partner. With your qualifications and the value you bring to businesses, you can progress to top-level positions like chief financial officer or executive officer. Some finance business partners become consultants after many years of experience in the field.

Finding your finance business partner job through Randstad provides essential benefits such as:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a finance business partner is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

As a finance business partner, you work closely with various departments to review their performance and business processes. Your job is to analyse the effectiveness of business systems and provide support. You are also a trusted advisor, and you help business leaders make better decisions.

As a finance business partner, you earn an average salary of $125,000 per year. In an entry-level role, your earnings start as low as $115,000 annually, while experienced finance business partners take home a salary of $135,000 yearly. The remuneration package depends on your qualifications and work experience. Your employer also determines your earnings, with larger companies offering increased salaries.

Yes. As a finance business partner, you are an accountant, but you aid in decision-making instead of focusing on bookkeeping and managing company accounts. You analyse every department's financial performance and needs and provide support in decision-making.

Finance analysts focus on analysing company data and understanding the company's numbers. On the other hand, finance business partners spend their time making the numbers work for the company. Instead of focusing on the problems, they concentrate on implementing solutions.

A finance business partner harnesses information from process systems and analyses it to improve decision-making. You also engage with departments with different viewpoints and use the information you gather to improve business outcomes.

Applying for a finance business partner job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.