Junior Commercial Analyst
Application Deadline: 15 July 2026
Department: Finance
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
Location: London
Description
To help the senior members of the Harper Non Fiction and Harper North commercial finance team deliver a gold standard service to the publishing department. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, assisting with preparation of annual budget, acquisition P&Ls, month end analysis and reporting, monthly forecasting, profitability reviews, licensor reporting, and other ad hoc reporting (internal and external). You will work closely with the Senior Commercial Analyst and Commercial Director and are expected to support the Publishing teams (e.g. Sales, Editorial, Marketing and PR, Production and Design).
This role will also be responsible for assisting the Commercial Director in the set-up and ongoing provision of financial reporting and analysis, both routine and ad-hoc, for the Direct-to-Consumer side of the business.
This role requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. The Junior Commercial Analyst should be able to prepare reporting that requires minimal review and should be focused on ensuring that systems and data reconcile where appropriate. They should develop a sound understanding of the publishing P&L.
Please note this is a 12-month FTC.
Key Responsibilities
Forecasting and Budgeting:
Ensure timely and accurate delivery and reporting to stakeholders across the business:
Ensure the publishing schedule of titles is accurately reflected in budgeting and forecasting
Liaise with publishing teams to collect data needed for budgeting and forecasting
Collate and upload this data into the forecast system (currently Hyperion Planning) and ensure outputs reconcile to expectation. Inform the Commercial Director of any issues with uploading or any unforeseen time pressures
Prepare summary schedules for Commercial Director review, where appropriate
Assist with preparation of deck for budget and commercial review presentations
Acquisitions:
Responsible for the preparation of investment cases for acquisition, for review by the Commercial Director
Accurately maintain schedule showing pipeline of acquisitions, including all financial detail to enable future analysis of performance against initial expectation
Prepare profitability review to assist publishing teams with decision-making in author recontracts
Month end accounting and reporting:
Complete a variety of month end tasks that will grow with experience, including, but not limited to, preparation of provision for retrospective discounts granted to retailers, preparation of provisions for unearned advances, reviewing exception errors from the royalty system, analysis of overheads and preparation of plant accruals. These should be completed with a high degree of accuracy, requiring minimal review from the Commercial Director
Ensure timely preparation of reports for review before monthly divisional executive meetings, including month end commercial reports and post-publication profitability reviews
Provide explanations of performance against expectation in key P&L areas
Third party royalty and sales reporting:
- Monthly and bi-annual reporting to external third parties, tracking sales and royalties
Other activities, including value-add:
This role profile is non-contractual and provided for guidance purposes only. It will be updated and amended from time to time in accordance with the changing needs of the Company and the requirements of the job.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Demonstrates desire to study for an accounting qualification (ACCA and CIMA)
Ideally, experience in a fast-paced finance team, to include involvement in budgeting, forecasting and month end reporting OR office experience in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and changing priorities
Comfortable explaining financial concepts to non-finance colleagues
Quick learner who can understand processes and carry these out accurately with minimal supervision
Excellent administrator, takes pride in being organised and managing own time effectively
Very good Excel skills
High level of attention to detail
Good analytical skills, able to investigate and explain trends or variances in data
Demonstrable love of and interest in books and publishing
Ability to work under pressure and adapt to shifting deadlines
Positive approach to problem solving
Strong sense of accountability
Collaborative and empathetic
Positive attitude to new challenges
Enjoys working as part of a team
Professional demeanour
If you have any queries regarding this position, please reach out directly to [email protected] with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.
