Financial Planning & Analysis Manager in London

Financial Planning & Analysis Manager job description

A data-driven finance role suited for analytical thinkers who enjoy influencing strategy and performance, the FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) Manager leads forecasting, budgeting and long-term planning. This leadership position is ideal for professionals ready to drive business strategy, lead planning cycles and partner with stakeholders to guide decision-making through financial insights.

What is FP&A?

FP&A is focused on analysing financial performance and helping leadership make informed decisions. It involves budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and strategic financial modelling. Unlike traditional accounting, FP&A is forward-looking, focusing on interpreting trends and advising on financial direction.

Key responsibilities

Prepare budgets, forecasts, and financial models

Conduct variance analysis and performance tracking

Deliver regular reports to senior leadership and stakeholders

Analyse business trends and provide insights to support strategy

Support scenario planning and long-range forecasting

Manage the financial planning and reporting timetable to ensure accuracy and timely delivery

Background and experience

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)

Experience in financial analysis, budgeting or commercial finance

Excellent Excel skills and proficiency with BI tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau)

Strong interpersonal skills and business acumen

Comfortable working with large data sets and summarising key findings

Team structure

Head of FP&As often report to the Finance Director or CFO, and work closely with:

Commercial Finance teams

Business Unit Leaders

Senior Management and Strategy Teams

Data and Business Intelligence teams

Controllership and group finance teams

The FP&A Manager role provides visibility across the business and typically leads a team of analysts while collaborating closely with commercial and operational leads.

What makes the role rewarding?

This role offers a unique combination of strategic influence and analytical depth. According to Robert Half, FP&A Managers are among the highest-paid roles in finance for 2025, reflecting their critical role in steering business performance and strategy:

Tangible impact on business performance and direction

Broad exposure to commercial decision-making

Development of highly transferable modelling and forecasting skills

Clear routes into senior finance and leadership positions

Read more about the highest paying jobs in Finance

Future-focused skills and development

FP&A roles are evolving with the rise of digital tools and data analytics. Key skills to develop include:

Financial modelling and sensitivity analysis

Data visualisation and dashboarding (e.g. Power BI, Tableau)

Strategic planning and stakeholder communication

Forecasting automation and predictive analytics

How industry affects the role

FP&A Managers bring value in every sector but may focus on different metrics and deliverables:

Retail and consumer goods: Margin, inventory, sales performance, and channel finance

Tech and SaaS: Recurring revenue models, customer metrics

Manufacturing: Cost control, production forecasting

Professional services: Billable hours, utilisation and resource planning

Role differences by company size

Startups/SMEs: Involved in all aspects of planning and analysis

Enterprises: Focused on specific divisions, regions, or P&Ls with deeper specialisation

Sought-after benefits

FP&A professionals often look for benefits that support work-life balance and career growth:

Hybrid or remote working options

Performance bonuses and share schemes

Training budgets and professional development

Access to advanced analytics tools and platforms

Career progression

FP&A Managers often progress to senior leadership positions within the finance function, such as:

Head of FP&A

Director of Financial Planning & Analysis

Finance Director

Head of Commercial Finance

Senior Finance Business Partner

With a proven track record, they may also transition into executive-level roles including Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or move into strategic and operational leadership roles outside traditional finance, such as Chief Strategy Officer or General Manager.

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Salary for Financial Planning & Analysis Manager in London

86250 - 115250

25th percentile

86250

The candidate has little or no prior experience in the position and is still developing relevant skills.

50th percentile

101000

The candidate has an average level of experience and has most of the necessary skills.

75th percentile

115250

The candidate has above-average experience, has most or all the necessary skills, and may have specialised qualifications.

Projected salaries for related positions

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Head of Regulatory Reporting

97500

118750

136000

Financial Planning & Analysis Manager - Financial Services

99500

112250

125000

Finance Manager - Financial Services

73750

83250

92250

Finance Manager

70000

81000

91000

Group/ Financial Reporting Accountant

71500

83750

92750

Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst

62000

70000

80250

Regulatory Accountant

65000

70000

75250

Fund Accountant - Financial Services

64250

74500

81250

Qualified Management Accountant - Financial Services

64250

73500

81250

Qualified Management Accountant

64250

71750

79500

Qualified Financial Accountant - Financial Services

65500

70000

76750

Qualified Financial Accountant

64250

71750

79500

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Your guide to negotiating salaries and offers

Our starting salary projections come from a detailed, multistep process that ensures our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They’re based on real compensation data for job seekers our recruiters have matched with companies across the country, in addition to 350,000 third-party vacancies data from Textkernel for independent validation.

The Salary Guide From Robert Half is the original. We’ve been publishing salary forecasts since 1950, and our guide has served as a trusted source for employers, job seekers, industry associations, government and educational institutions, and national and local media.