Network Rail
Finance Business Partner

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Who We Are
Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.
We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Some Of Our Great Benefits
- Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered
- Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days
- Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass
- Defined benefit pension scheme
- 75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)
- Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact
Plus more....
Vacancy Details
- Duration: Permanent
- Location: The Quadrant, Milton Keynes
- Band & Salary: Band 4C, £43,588 - £53,167
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About The Role
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with portfolio, programme and project teams to provide financial advice and challenge, ensuring investment decisions are supported by robust financial analysis and aligned to business objectives.
- Support the financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and periodic reporting processes across a diverse capital investment portfolio.
- Provide insightful variance analysis and narrative commentary, clearly explaining financial performance, risks, opportunities and emerging trends to senior stakeholders.
- Support the development, review and approval of business cases, investment papers and change requests, ensuring compliance with governance and approval requirements.
- Monitor project expenditure, commitments, accruals and cost of work done (COWD), ensuring financial information is accurate, complete and auditable.
- Challenge project forecasts and assumptions to improve the accuracy of delivery, funding and outturn projections.
- Work closely with Delivery, Commercial and Project Controls teams to identify financial risks and opportunities and develop appropriate mitigation plans.
- Ensure projects operate within approved funding and authority limits, escalating exceptions and supporting corrective actions where necessary.
- Provide financial assurance throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring expenditure is appropriately classified, governed and aligned with accounting policies.
- Support period-end, year-end and regulatory reporting requirements, ensuring all deadlines and control requirements are met.
- Produce concise, high-quality financial reports and presentations for senior management, investment boards and governance forums.
- Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, reporting and controls, promoting best practice across the portfolio.


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Your Experience And Skills
Think you're who we are looking for? Apply today to join our team!
Essential
What we are looking for
- Demonstrate strong understanding of business needs and relevant application of accounting standards
- Membership (Or working towards a membership) of a relevant accounting body (CIMA/ACCA) or equivalent experience
- Expert knowledge and experience of creating and maintaining accounts and annual budget
- Significant experience within relevant finance disciplines
- Strong excel skills and use of data manipulation
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to interpret technical accounting regulations into everyday language
- Demonstrable effective influencing skills at a senior level
- Significant understanding of financial control and risk
- Excellent technical finance and accounting knowledge
What Could Make You Stand Out
Desirable
- Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects
- Membership of a relevant accounting body
- Extensive experience of Oracle based systems
- Degree or equivalent qualification in finance and accounting or business management or experience
Meet the essential criteria/ Apply today to join our team!
Contact
Additional Information...
If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk
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