Job Description

Alternatively, Grant Thornton

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Every day our teams help people in businesses and communities to do what is right and achieve their goals.

The Finance Consulting team help with the development of our clients’ finance functions so that they can provide the best possible support to our dynamic clients’ wider organisations. At times that will mean helping our clients to address a specific known issue (such as speeding up month end, improving the quality of Management Information, or providing training on aspects such as Business Partnering). At other times we are asked to help diagnose the root cause of the symptoms experienced by our clients, provide an opinion of how a finance function benchmarks against its peers, or to take a very broad role in helping to redesign a “future fit” finance function -perhaps one ready for an exit or IPO. At all times we work alongside our clients in close partnership, providing insight, challenge, and pragmatic support to address their challenges and tee them up for the future demands they will face.

We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours and job shares, we’ll support you to balance your work and life.

A look into the role

As a Finance Consulting Manager you will:

• Manage and lead projects – typically 2 at a time - requiring minimum oversight from senior colleagues once the direction has been set together. At times you will be the key lead for projects, liaising with a Director or Partner for final review – at other times you will be working more closely with Associate Directors, Directors and partners on larger, more complex client issues.
• Build your own internal and external network so that you can grow your experience of opportunity generation as you progress towards Associate Director and beyond
• Use empathy and listening skills to uncover the real root cause of issues and translate that into compelling propositions
• Demonstrate collaborative attitude towards colleagues from Consulting as well as wider Grant Thornton, always looking to bring the most appropriate capabilities to our clients regardless of departmental boundaries
• Confidently communicate with Executive client members such as CFOs and FDs and successfully manage the expectations of senior colleagues. You will typically face off to CFOs, FDs, and Private Equity House stakeholders
• Take real ownership of quality, compliance and risk matters
• Assist with practice development initiatives – be they internal business development, external marketing, or the continued improvement of our toolkit. That would typically be done in conjunction with senior colleagues albeit in due course you can carve your own niche in the team

• Take responsibility for managing engagement budgets and timelines

Knowing you’re right for us

Joining us as a Finance Consulting Manager the minimum criteria you’ll need is a professional qualification (ACA, ICAS, CA, ACCA or CIPFA) with post qualification experience, and to be confident managing a large portfolio of audit clients.

It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way.

• A background in Finance Consulting, External Audit or line-finance roles in Industry would be advantageous – especially those focussed on reporting or costing
• Training record in the use of digital analytical skills would be helpful
• Proven experience in at least one of the fields of: month end and year end reporting; financial analysis and reporting; process improvement; Finance system selection or implementation
• Experience of Finance Change, Transformation Programmes, or process improvement is a plus
• Ability to use a framework and methodology-driven approach to identify a root case, propose an appropriate approach in response, and deliver a solution
• Ability to work with and influence senior stakeholders and an ability to show true empathy
• Past experience of leading teams and projects

Knowing we’re right for you

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people, we never settle for what is easy, we look beyond to deliver the right thing, for everyone. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential.

Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That’s why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.

Beyond the job

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.

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