Senior Finance Analyst - Year End & Audit

Senior Finance Analyst - Year End & Audit
Senior Finance Analyst - Year End & Audit

The location of the role is Salford Quays, Manchester (on site).
The duration of the contract is 6 months.
The pay rate on offer is £400 - £500 per day (via Umbrella agency).

Role Summary

This is a hands-on delivery role to support year-end close and external audit. The Senior Finance Analyst will be responsible for owning and delivering high volumes of substantive audit testing and ensuring all audit evidence is complete, accurate, clearly documented, and delivered to timetable.

The role requires someone who can hit the ground running, manage pressure, and confidently engage with external auditors and senior internal stakeholders (Heads of Finance, Finance Managers) to drive delivery.

Key accountabilities of the role

• Deliver high-volume substantive audit testing across multiple balance sheet and P&L areas within tight year-end deadlines
• Act as the primary day-to-day contact for external auditors, managing audit requests, walkthroughs, sample selection, and follow-up queries
• Track, prioritise, and manage a large pipeline of audit requests to ensure on-time delivery with minimal rework
• Work with Heads of Finance and Finance Managers to obtain, validate, and explain information required for audit testing
• Provide concise updates on audit progress, risks, and blockers, driving timely resolution
• Act as a credible, confident point of escalation during peak year-end activity

Key skills and experience

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
• Strong experience in a Senior Finance Analyst / Financial Accountant / R2R role
• Extensive hands-on year-end audit experience, including ownership of substantive testing
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and understanding of audit requirements
• Excellent Excel skills; SAP experience essential (Power BI / Blackline desirable)
• Proven ability to manage high volumes of audit samples and queries in a fast-paced environment
• Direct experience liaising with external auditors
• Confident working with Heads of Finance and Finance Managers to drive delivery and meet deadlines
• Clear, confident communicator able to explain issues decisively
• Highly organised, resilient, and comfortable working under pressure
• Pragmatic, delivery-focused, and able to take ownership from day one