Senior Financial Planning Analyst

Working within a team of 6-7 talented professionals, this role is responsible for the Management of Commissions and end-to-end financial planning and analysis function for Consulting and Learning revenue streams, Sales and Marketing, Shared Services function (including Operations, Finance & Facilities, Human Resources and Management), with operations in Australia, NZ, Malaysia and Singapore. The role has no direct reports but has matrix accountability across finance, the Research & Learning Portfolio and Sales Function Specific responsibilities of the role include:

• Management of commission plans including calculation, circulation and monitoring of commissions for the sales team in the APAC region on a monthly basis, with review against budget / target
• Preparation of annual commission planning structure for APAC Sales and Renewals, including presentation to TAA CEO, together with supporting documentation
• Preparation of analysis and recommendation of action planning to drive additional sales performance across Sales and Renewals teams through SPIFFs, adjustments to commission planning processes and sales rules
• Preparation of strategic financial plans and annual budgets for Sales and Marketing and Shared Services Functions;
• Preparation and analysis of monthly business performance reports and dashboards for Function and Sales Leaders;
• Preparation of rolling forecasts, including co-ordination and delivery of formal quarterly “Latest Estimate” forecasts and providing insights into the on-going financial health of the businesses;
• Conducting financial analysis activities and projects, evaluating findings, preparing reports and making recommendations to senior management about the financial implications of proposed investments and transactions;
• Developing and contributing to financial strategies that align to the overall vision and current and long-term business objectives of WK TAA in APAC;
• Navigating, managing and implementing financial planning and consolidation software solutions to provide business insights and streamline reporting;
• Supporting the MD, VP Finance and Associate Director of Financial Planning with specific and ad-hoc assignments, financially evaluating major projects, and generally being a sounding board for senior management;
• Providing support to the Sales leadership, Asia Pacific in delivering sales reporting, including forecasts;
• Working closely and in conjunction with the Regional Financial Controller and Financial Accounting team to deliver high quality financial reporting at all times.

Commissions Management:

• Preparation of annual commission planning structure for APAC Sales and Renewals, including presentation to TAA CEO, together with supporting documentation
• Management of commission plans including calculation, circulation and monitoring of commissions for the sales team in APAC region and any SPIFF payments. Review of actual commissions against budget/forecast on monthly basis
• Preparation, completion and accurate processing of month end journals into SAP
• Respond to commission queries and work with the business to prioritise and resolve them
• Participates in formulation of commission plans, financial modelling and commission budgets
• Governance and enforcement of plan rules and escalation to management as required
• Ensuring all internal controls are met

Key Responsibilities:

Financial and Management Reporting:

• Providing business analysis and insights, including overall delivery of financial and management reports comprising 3 year strategic financial plans, budgets, forecasts, monthly reports and analysis for Consulting and Learning revenue streams, Sales and Marketing, Shared Services function (including Operations, Finance & Facilities, Human Resources and Management);
• Meeting agreed upstream financial and management reporting requirements that are accurate and delivered on time, within tight reporting deadlines.

Financial Analysis:

• Developing financial strategies for Sales and Marketing, Shared Services function (including Operations, Finance & Facilities, Human Resources and Management) and providing analysis and advice based on business trends, market changes and business unit goals. This analysis will provide meaningful data for the relevant business unit heads to make informed and timely business decisions;
• Proactively identifying factors that may impact Sales and Marketing, Shared Services function (including Operations, Finance & Facilities, Human Resources and Management) and providing recommendations / options in relation to business rules and operational decisions to address them;
• Be a trusted financial advisor and sounding board for senior management.

Financial Results

• Assist the Sales Director, Operations Director and other key functional stakeholders, Associate Director of Financial Analysis and Senior Finance Director to provide reasoned, balanced and factual recommendations to business unit management, taking into account operational and strategic views, to drive financial performance and solid commercial outcomes for the business.

Compliance

• Ensure finance operational compliance standards / processes are in place and take all necessary actions to ensure that all regulations and quality standards and processes are complied with.

Market Insight & Stakeholder Management

• Keep up to date with market intelligence (legislation, changing market and economic conditions and competitor trends) as it relates to the financial success of the business. Build networks with stakeholders both within and outside of the business to better understand the current business and the external factors that may impact it.

Key business unit financial measures

• Revenue
• Profitability (EBITA)
• Net new sales against budget and forecast
• Subscription inventory / annual recurring revenues
• Cost in line with budget or reduced as required to achieve EBITA
  

Key Stakeholders

• Sales Director, Asia Pacific
• Director of Operations, Asia Pacific
• Product Managers
• Managing Director, Asia Pacific
• VP Finance
• Associate Director, Financial Planning
• Regional Financial Controller

Knowledge / Skills and Experience

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, commensurate with experience
• Relevant accounting tertiary qualifications in finance (CA / CPA qualified) is a bonus.
• 5-7 years combined experience in management/financial accounting, with the last five years in a medium to large organisation
• Experience working in a Big 4 or multi-national business with matrix reporting lines preferable, ideally with an interest in the Fintech / TMT sector
• Strong financial modelling skills in Excel, ability to write macros is a plus
• Disciplined and organised, with proven analytical capability and demonstrable success, combining business acumen with commercially astute business recommendations
• Strong systems knowledge, with proven experience using contemporary business intelligence, consolidation and reporting tools
• Some knowledge of new product development, especially in the areas of digital and software products
• Empathy – an ability to listen and understand the business’ needs and translate this into creating actionable solutions

Key competencies

• Planning and organising tasks to achieve tight deadlines
• Proven decision-making abilities
• Evidence of an ability to build and nurture partnerships (across and within teams)
• A strong “end-user” customer focus
• Cost management / profitability focus
• Likeable and humanistic