One of the challenges the Group faces today is to improve its performance and overall efficiency.
In this climate of rapid change (tougher competition, fluctuating financial markets, the growing international dimension of the Group's business and changes in its scope of consolidation), the Finance function has a major role to play, not only by virtue of its specific skills and everyday actions, but also through its involvement in strategic planning.
Diagnostics, confirmation of forecasts, consolidations, decision-making support and control are the keywords of a function that interfaces closely with the company's other functions and is involved in all strategic and operational decisions, with the objective of creating value for the Group.
Financiers make a permanent contribution to their units.
From the start of negotiations, they advise the bid manager and sales representative on economic aspects and assist in finding the necessary financing.
When the contract is awarded, they are involved in the internal launch and in the decisions that are strategic to the industrial management of the programme.
Finally, throughout the implementation phase, they support the programme manager in tracking the progress of work and jointly ensuring that the objectives are met.
Financial life is punctuated by reporting deadlines.
These reports, drawn up in line with the dual requirement of reliability and probity, are general or specific tools for information and decision-making, which reconcile forecasts and reality, thus allowing future projections and appropriate decisions to be made on the basis of precise knowledge of the current situation.
They include the business plan, SITCOM for the anticipated commercial situation, annual budget, long-term strategic business plan (SBP1), medium-term strategic business plan (SBP2), reports to shareholders, accounting reports, management reports, treasury reports, bid and programme review statements, etc.
The Group constantly demonstrates its ability to change and adapt its organisation.
The Finance function has a major role to play in facilitating and supporting this process of change, providing clarification and guidance to operational managers and optimising the performance of the company.
Led by Generalist Managers, the Finance function comprises business control, financial accounting, treasury and financial engineering teams.
Typical career path
Following initial experience in financial accounting or business control, development is towards financial engineering or management posts.