Commercial Finance Analyst (Oil Trading)

Commercial Finance Analyst (Oil Trading)

Overview

My client is an ambitious growing energy trading company seeking an experienced finance professional to support management reporting, financial planning, risk reporting and business performance analysis.

The successful candidate will work closely with commercial, operations and finance teams to provide financial insights into trading activities, monitor business performance and support management decision-making. This role is particularly suited for candidates with prior exposure to commodity trading environments and a sound understanding of both physical and derivative trading activities.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare monthly management accounts and consolidated financial reports.
• Perform detailed variance analysis against budget, forecast and prior periods, providing meaningful commentary on key business drivers.
• Develop and maintain financial models to support forecasting, budgeting and business planning activities.
• Conduct ratio analysis and performance reviews to assess profitability, liquidity, working capital and operational efficiency.
• Support management with ad-hoc financial analysis and strategic decision-making.

Trading & Risk Reporting

• Monitor and analyze trading performance across physical and derivative portfolios.
• Support mark-to-market (MTM) reporting and valuation processes for trading activities.
• Work closely with commercial and operations teams to understand trading economics and key profitability drivers.
• Assist in stress testing and scenario analysis to evaluate financial and market risks under various trading and market conditions.
• Support the preparation of management reports relating to trading performance, exposures and financial risk metrics.

Accounting & Controls

• Support month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Assist with hedge accounting documentation, effectiveness testing and reporting where applicable.
• Review accounting treatment for trading transactions and ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards.
• Coordinate with auditors and external stakeholders during audit and reporting cycles.
• Contribute to the enhancement of financial controls, reporting processes and management information systems.

Planning & Forecasting

• Support annual budgeting and rolling forecast exercises.
• Analyze key assumptions impacting profitability, cash flow and working capital.
• Develop scenario models to support business planning and commercial initiatives.
• Partner with stakeholders to improve forecasting accuracy and financial visibility.

Requirements

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related discipline.
• 7–10 years of relevant experience within commodity trading, energy trading, oil trading, shipping or related sectors.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, management reporting and financial analysis.
• Familiarity with mark-to-market valuation concepts for physical and derivative trading activities.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and financial modelling.
• Exposure to hedge accounting principles and financial risk reporting.
• Understanding of stress testing, scenario analysis and performance measurement techniques.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical capabilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both finance and commercial stakeholders.
• Prior experience within oil, energy or commodity trading environments will be highly preferred.

Preferred Attributes

• Commercially minded with strong business acumen.
• Detail-oriented and highly analytical.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic and fast-paced trading environment.
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively across functions.
• Proactive, adaptable and solutions-oriented.

Compensation

Competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications.