Main purpose
The IT FP&A Manager is responsible for the financial management for the IT function, ensuring rigorous budgeting discipline, accurate forecasting, transparent cost allocation, and value optimisation across all IT investments and operations. This role acts as the primary finance business partner to IT leadership, translating technical strategies into financial plans whilst maintaining alignment with corporate FP&A standards and processes.
Key responsibilities
Budget & Forecast Management
Execute quarterly rolling forecast cycles for all IT cost categories (Run vs Change, BAU vs Projects), ensuring <5% variance to actuals
Coordinate annual bottom-up budgeting exercises for IT, challenging historical spend patterns and driving cost justification from IT budget holders
Maintain detailed budget models with granular cost centre and GL account level tracking across IT cost taxonomy
Produce variance analysis reports (actual vs budget vs forecast) with clear commentary on drivers, corrective actions, and recommendations to IT leadership
Develop multi-year financial plans supporting IT strategy and transformation initiatives
IT Cost Taxonomy & Allocation
Define and maintain a clear IT cost taxonomy (e.g., Infrastructure, Applications, Cybersecurity, Data, End-User Computing, Projects) enabling effective cost management and decision-making
Design and maintain allocation methodologies for IT costs to profit centres and business units using appropriate drivers (headcount, revenue, usage metrics, etc.)
Execute monthly IT allocation runs and reconcile, ensuring transparent chargeback models
Produce management reporting packs showing IT costs by function, region, profit centre, and cost category
Support profit centre P&L owners in understanding their allocated IT charges and cost drivers
Process & Controls
Own the end-to-end IT budgeting and forecasting calendar, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with corporate FP&A cycles
Establish and enforce budget submission templates, approval workflows, and data quality standards for IT budget holders
Maintain the IT cost hierarchy and chart of accounts structure in coordination with Accounting
Implement controls to prevent budget overruns, ensure proper authorisation of expenditure, and maintain compliance with corporate financial policies and audit requirements
Ensure robust financial governance across all IT spending decisions
Project Financial Management
Track project budgets vs actuals at granular level with regular reporting to IT PMO and leadership
Create metrics to monitor large project/programme ROI including benefits realisation - ensuring business cases are validated post-delivery
Ensure robust business cases are defined upfront and revisited post-implementation to confirm value delivery
Track capitalisation and amortisation of IT assets in accordance with accounting policies
Support business case development for major IT investments and transformation initiatives
Required qualifications
Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA) or working towards professional qualification
5-7 years' experience in IT finance, FP&A, or financial controlling within a technology or IT function
Demonstrated experience establishing or significantly improving IT budgeting processes from scratch
Proven experience managing IT budgets of significant scale and complexity in multi-entity organisations
Strong understanding of IT cost structures including infrastructure, applications, cloud, licensing, and project costs
Experience with overhead allocation methodologies and driver-based cost modelling
Experience working in a matrix organisation with ability to influence without direct authority
Background in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
Preferred qualifications
Experience in commodity trading, financial services, or similarly complex industries
Knowledge of cloud economics (AWS, Azure) and FinOps principles
Familiarity with IT service management frameworks (ITIL, COBIT)
Exposure to Big 4 consulting or internal transformation projects
Previous role implementing new EPM/planning systems
Experience managing small teams or leading cross-functional projects
Implement project financial tracking with monthly reporting to IT PMO and leadership
IT budget holder satisfaction score >80% on process efficiency and support
Reduce IT budget variance to <5% through improved forecasting and controls
Reporting Structure
Reports to: Head of Group FP&A
Dotted line to: Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Equal opportunity employer
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse workforce! We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or handicap, disability, or any other legally protected status.