Investor Relations Finance Analyst Review

A great opportunity to be part of the Investor Relations team during a year of significant change for the company. Felt a great sense of achievement by completing the ACA exams and applying this material to understand the company accounts at a Group level and from an analyst perspective. Gained experience handling large quantities of complex data and summarising appropriately for the intended audience. Given challenging work and the space to develop new processes to provide information more efficiently.

The role required excellent stakeholder management skills and exposure to senior management. Colleagues trusted and valued the work that was delivered and were confident that the responses were accurate, timely and presented correctly. Feedback was often sought and suggestions from the team were used to improve the quality of work and get to the intended result quickly with the underlying detail available when required. Regular meetings gave the opportunity for opinions to be voiced, considered and discussed which generated ideas and drove process efficiencies.

Working in Investor Relations is to be a part of a small but very high performing team. Support and guidance from my line manager, the rest of the IR team and the graduate community was excellent. Personal development was high on the agenda and there was full engagement around this process. These included being part of one team and creating a positive working environment. This ensured being part of a team that worked cohesively during busy periods so that delivery of materials to the investment community was of the highest quality.

Work was busiest when providing support to the Investor Relations team throughout the preliminary and interim results process, and uniquely for this placement, a strategic review of the company. Workload also ramped up during key dates in the financial calendar, such as The Budget and General Election announcements, as well as industry specific key dates which included the CMA provisional results announcement and the first capacity auction results. Work was predominately ad-hoc in nature with tight reporting deadlines which necessitated being able to think creatively and to work well under pressure. Provided detailed supporting documentation for the full year and half year results cycles and was able to gain exposure to and produce material to support the team for other material announcements the Group gave through the year.

Owned and managed the production of the Key Performance Indicator tables as well as providing key input into slide decks used in external presentations to the investor community at the preliminary and interim results, as well as the strategic review. Responsible for overhauling an analyst consensus model into a more streamlined, neater and efficient spreadsheet which can be updated quickly with an improved level of accuracy. Designed and pulled together data into a fact book providing key performance information across the Group over the past decade. Achieved a high level of insight into Centrica, its competitors and the UK/European Utilities market.

Centrica are accredited and provide full support to complete the ACA qualification. This includes tuition, exams, materials and appropriate leave in which to complete the exams or take the necessary tuition courses. The exams were completed just prior to beginning the Investor Relations role. The application of the advanced level material was mainly used in understanding the Group accounts and to appreciate the bigger picture, particularly regarding the strategic direction for the company. Developed a good understanding of regulatory requirements through contributing to the annual disclosure processes for a UK listed PLC.

The Investor Relations team is high-profile with regular interaction with senior executives. The atmosphere is hard-working and corporate but the work is interesting and dynamic which makes for a positive working environment.

Centrica has an excellent graduate team and the finance scheme is very well structured and organised. The roles are well sourced and graduate placements cover a wide range of finance skills across different business units which utilises the scope and depth of the Centrica Group. Points of contact for support are plentiful and responses to queries are quick since Centrica has a long-established finance graduate scheme.

The three-year Finance Graduate Programme comprises three 12-month placements covering a range of financial disciplines and business areas within which we operate. Graduates are given full financial and accounting training, and complete an accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA). Throughout the programme graduates are supported with course funding and time off for study.

With the support of the Graduate Team, future employment prospects within the organisation are very good if the placements have been successful and to the standard required which will be reflected in graduate ratings. The application process is similar to a usual internal hire but the company supports the development of graduates coming off the scheme and encourage internal succession planning. At the end of the programme, you should have the full qualification and experience to build a strong future career in finance.

The graduate community is large and extensive across the Group and spans multiple streams. Particularly in the first year on the scheme, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with other graduates. There is an annual graduate ball which is organised by graduates with support from the Graduate Team. Social events and the charity challenge also encourage team work amongst graduates.

Cost of living is quite expensive in Windsor/Staines but cheaper than central London. There are locations all around the UK and internationally so prices vary according to where you are placed.

Again, dependant on the placement but there are plenty of bars and restaurants close to the Windsor and Staines offices.

There are numerous football teams to be involved in. Healthy lifestyles are actively encouraged, such as biking to work, ping-pong and a gym. Corporate events, such as the JP Morgan run are also participated in. Centrica also encourages social enterprise (such as the Ignite scheme) and volunteering – I am personally involved with a Surrey-based charity called One-to-One as an activities assistant for adults with learning difficulties.