Commercial Finance Analyst (B2B)
DC Thomson · Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
Technology, Information and Media · 1,001-5,000 employees
About the role
The role provides financial control and analytical support for B2B brands, ensuring financial performance reflects commercial reality. Key duties include managing month-end processes, validating commercial performance, and producing structured analysis on margins and revenue trends.
What they look for
Requirements
Candidates need prior experience in commercial finance or management accounting, specifically within professional services or agency environments. Proficiency in advanced financial modelling, data reconciliation, and financial reporting is required.
Full description
Job Title: Commercial Finance Analyst (B2B) Location: Hybrid 1-2 days per week onsite in Aberdeen and Dundee with regular travel to London
DC Thomson media company are currently recruiting for a Commercial Finance Analyst (B2B) to join our growing B2B team to support our Fifth Ring and Beano Brain brands.
The Commercial Finance Analyst (B2B) will provide a robust financial control and analytical foundation by ensuring that financial performance accurately reflects commercial reality. They will also ensure the commercial data is complete, consistent and usable to allow for financial control, validation and structured analysis.
Drawing from your financial control and accounting skillset, this is an opportunity to provide structured analytical outputs to support challenges that arise within the business.
Fifth Ring is a modern international B2B agency that builds long and beneficial relationships for and with its clients. Active in a limited number of markets in which we have deep insight, as catalysts of change, we blend the best of art and science to enable our clients to identify and own their chosen market spaces.
Beano Brain is a leading kid, youth and family insights agency. They are a team of collaborators who balance being supportive and transparent with rebel thinking. While fostering a non-hierarchical environment where team members take initiative and aren’t afraid to challenge each other’s thinking, Beano Brain gives everyone on the team a voice.
The Commercial Finance Analyst (B2B) will provide independent financial validation and analysis to support Finance Business Partner challenge. Accountability for commercial performance remains with Team Leads and Account Managers, and the role does not own commercial decision-making.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Financial Control & Accounting
- Support month-end close processes across project and revenue accounting.
- Work with shared services (AP, AR, payroll, financial accounting) to ensure completeness and accuracy.
- Independent Validation of Commercial Performance
- Identify inconsistencies between business and finance trackers.
- Reconcile and reconstruct performance views where required.
- Deal Analysis (Preparation for FBP Challenge Only)
- Maintain pricing, cost, and margin modelling tools.
- Produce scenario analysis to support FBP review of deals.
- Deliver Structured Performance Outputs and Analysis
- Produce clear, consistent views and analysis of:
- Project and team performance.
- Margin and revenue trends.
- Variance between planned and actual delivery.
- Utilisation gaps.
- Cost and scope pressures.
- Commercial Framework Integrity
- Maintain core financial and analytical structures
- Ensure consistency in definitions, assumptions, and calculations.
Skills:
- Advanced financial analysis and modelling with the ability to validate commercial performance, analyse margins, identify variances, and produce scenario-based profitability analysis.
- Strong financial control and accounting capability, including revenue recognition, accruals, prepayments, cost allocation, reconciliations, and month-end processes.
- Data analysis and reporting expertise using Excel and financial systems to create clear, consistent, evidence-based performance reporting and trend analysis.
Experience:
- Prior experience in a commercial finance, financial analyst, or management accounting role supporting business performance and profitability analysis.
- Demonstrable experience reconciling and validating financial and operational data, identifying inconsistencies and ensuring financial reporting reflects commercial reality.
- Track record of producing margin, revenue, utilisation, and project performance analysis within a professional services, B2B, consultancy, agency, or project-based environment.
Behaviours that will help this role succeed: Being More Curious
- Uses data and questioning to uncover root causes, risks and opportunities.
- Challenges assumptions constructively and seeks evidence-based conclusions.
- Continuously looks for ways to improve commercial understanding and financial insight.
Experiment with Purpose
- Applies analytical thinking to test options and improve outcomes.
- Uses modelling and structured analysis to support better decision-making.
- Implements improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy or business value.
Owning the Outcomes
- Delivers accurate, timely and reliable financial reporting and analysis.
- Takes accountability for resolving issues and maintaining financial control.
- Anticipates risks and acts proactively to minimise their impact.
Being More Collaborative
- Works effectively across teams to achieve shared objectives.
- Builds trusted relationships through clear communication and responsiveness.
- Shares knowledge and supports colleagues to improve collective performance.
To apply for this role, please follow our online application process and submit a CV and cover letter.
Closing date for applications: 29th July at 12noon
