Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst

STUDIO 88

Job Description & Job Specification

FP&A Analyst

Job Title: FP&A Analyst

Department: Finance

Reports To: Head of Finance

Location: Head Office, South Africa

Employment Type: Permanent

Direct Reports: None (at appointment)

Qualification: CA(SA) — mandatory

Experience: 1 – 2 years post-articles

Grading: Patterson D1 / D2

PART 1 — JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Purpose of the Role

The FP&A Analyst is a high-calibre finance professional responsible for supporting the planning, forecasting, budgeting and analytical reporting functions within Studio 88. Operating across a retail business of approximately 1,000 stores and a growing online presence, the role demands rigorous financial modelling, sharp commercial analysis and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insight for business stakeholders.

Beyond technical delivery, the incumbent will be exposed to the full breadth of the finance function — commercial, operational, and strategic and direct report into the Head of Finance.

2. Key Performance Areas2.1 Financial Modelling

• Build, maintain and continuously improve financial models that drive accurate business metrics across trading, margin, cost and working capital.
• Develop dynamic scenario and sensitivity models to support strategic and commercial decision-making.
• Design modelling frameworks that can scale with the business and reduce manual effort over time.
• Stress-test assumptions and identify key value and risk drivers within financial plans.
• Collaborate across business to build accurate models.

2.2 Forecasting & Budgeting

• Lead and coordinate the monthly rolling forecast process, consolidating inputs from business units and producing a reliable, well-reasoned forward view.
• Drive the annual budget process end-to-end — including calendar management, template design, stakeholder engagement.
• Produce detailed variance analyses (actual vs budget vs forecast) with clear, concise management commentary.
• Identify forecast risk and upside with supporting quantification;.
• Continuously improve forecast accuracy through better assumptions, revised methodologies and tighter data inputs.

2.3 Analytics & Business Intelligence

• Build and maintain Qlik Sense analytical reports and dashboards for use by finance.
• Develop standardised dashboards that provide real-time visibility into trading performance, cost efficiency and financial health.
• Conduct deep-dive ad hoc analyses in response to business questions — including mix analysis, price/volume decomposition, store-level profitability and cost attribution.
• Work closely with the data and IT teams to ensure data integrity, consistent definitions and reliable source connectivity in Qlik.
• Champion self-service analytics — progressively enabling non-finance stakeholders to access and interpret financial data independently.

2.4 Management Reporting

• Assist in enhancing the speed and accuracy of internal reporting cycles, reducing manual rework and improving version control.
• Support the preparation of external stakeholder reports and reporting packs.
• Ensure all reports are consistent, well-formatted and meet the standards expected by internal and external audiences.

2.5 Finance Operations Support

• Support month-end close activities where required.
• Assist in maintaining the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts as it relates to planning and reporting.
• Contribute to statutory compliance, audit preparation and tax support as required.
• Identify and implement process improvements that reduce reporting cycle time and increase data accuracy.

JOB SPECIFICATION

3. Minimum Qualifications

• CA(SA) — registered with SAICA. This qualification is non-negotiable.
• Completed SAICA-accredited articles at a recognised audit firm (Big 4 or mid-tier).
• Honours degree in Accounting or equivalent (embedded in CA pathway).
• Additional qualifications in data analytics, financial modelling (e.g. FMVA) or BI tools will be advantageous but are not required at appointment.

4. Experience

• 1 to 2 years post-articles experience in a commercial, FP&A, finance business partner or similar analytical finance role.
• Exposure to budgeting, forecasting or management reporting in a commercial environment.
• Experience in retail, FMCG, or multi-site consumer businesses is advantageous but not essential.
• Prior exposure to BI tools (Qlik Sense, Power BI, Tableau or similar) is preferred. Candidates without Qlik experience must demonstrate strong aptitude and willingness to upskill rapidly.

5. Technical Competencies

Competency Expected Standard

Financial Modelling- Advanced — builds structured, auditable, dynamic models from scratch in Excel

Excel-Advanced — complex formulas, pivot tables, Power Query, dynamic arrays

Qlik Sense / BI Tools-Proficient or high aptitude; expected to reach advanced within 12 months

Forecasting-Solid methodology; comfortable with driver-based and statistical approaches

Management Accounting-Strong — P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, variance analysis

IFRS-Strong working knowledge retained from CA training

Tax (SA)-Working knowledge of corporate income tax, VAT, and deferred tax

Data Analysis-Comfortable working with large datasets; SQL exposure advantageous

6. Leadership & Behavioral Profile

Given the strategic intent of this hire, the behavioral and leadership profile carries equal weight to technical competence.

Quality : What We Are Looking For

**Intellectual strength :**Processes complexity quickly, identifies the signal in the noise, and builds models and arguments that hold up under scrutiny. Intellectually curious — always asking why.

Commercial Acumen: Understands the business behind the numbers. Connects financial outcomes to operational decisions, customer behaviour and market dynamics. Thinks like a business owner.

Drive & Ownership: Sets high standards for themselves without being told. Proactively identifies problems and closes them. Treats the business's money as if it were their own.

Communication & Influence: Communicates financial insight clearly and confidently to non-finance audiences. Comfortable presenting to senior management. Earns credibility through substance, not title.

Resilience & Composure: Performs well under pressure and deadlines. Handles ambiguity calmly. Does not become defensive when work is challenged — uses feedback to improve.

**Leadership Potential:**Performs well under pressure and deadlines. Handles ambiguity calmly. Does not become defensive when work is challenged — uses feedback to improve.

Naturally takes the lead in collaborative settings. Builds relationships across the business. Has the character and credibility to eventually lead and develop a team.

**Integrity & Trustworthiness:**Operates with complete honesty and transparency. Raises problems early, does not hide bad news. Can be trusted with sensitive commercial and strategic information.

**Growth Mindset:**Actively seeks feedback and acts on it. Invests in their own development. Comfortable being a learner — even as a CA(SA) — and does not allow qualification to substitute for curiosity.

**Attention to Detail:**Numbers are right. Reports are clean. Deadlines are met. Does not let small errors undermine trust in their work.

Strategic Thinking: Even at analyst level, demonstrates the ability to step back from the detail and understand the bigger picture. Can articulate what matters and why.

Work Location: In person