Financial Modelling Associate Director

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.

Job Description:

NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF.  

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

Our Modelling team supports clients with financial modelling across the whole umbrella of Advisory services, with four main focus areas:

• Transactions and fundraising – sell-side or buy-side modelling to tell the story of a business, quantify risks, opportunities, and returns, and support fundraising
• Strategic planning and decision support – modelling to support ongoing business planning and to quantify the impact of strategic and routine decisions on a company’s results
• Restructuring and insolvency – turnaround planning to rebuild lender confidence, short-term cash flow forecasting, and insolvency outcome analysis
• Funds and valuations – asset and fund models to support initial transactions and ongoing valuation and reporting requirements, with a particular focus on the infrastructure sector

Financial models underpin almost all business decisions and all corporate transactions. We build, review and amend models across all sectors, and our tools and analysis help our clients understand the impact of their decisions before they make them. Our priority is delivering tools that are easy to understand, as well as flexible and robust in the face of change. Most of our work is executed in Microsoft Excel, with some use of other programming languages. We work as part of the firm's wider modelling community, sharing knowledge and best practice with other modelling experts.

The Associate Directors in the team are responsible for leading the delivery of modelling assignments, and for executing work of the most complex nature. You will work closely with clients, supporting the partners, directors and other Advisory teams to plan and lead modelling assignments, and play a role in organising and developing the team and its pipeline of business. This rare opportunity presents great scope to develop yourself and your career as the team grows.

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

A look into the role  

As an Associate Director within our team, you will: 

• Run modelling assignments on a day-to-day basis and maintain strong client relationships
• Execute and review modelling work with a great degree of autonomy and expertise
• Plan and develop financial models and other tools for clients, or assist in their design and development
• Review financial models built by clients and their advisers and compile initial views and findings
• Update and run financial models to provide analysis to support the firm’s wider deliverables (e.g. in Valuations, Insolvency, or Forensics situations)

• Review the modelling work of team members, ensuring technical excellence and brand compliance, and giving appropriate guidance and feedback
• Understand the results of models and engage with clients and colleagues in meaningful dialogue about the implications

• Prepare model specification and user guide documents to a high standard, requiring minimal amendments by the partner/director
• Manage risk on modelling assignments, including drafting and reviewing engagement letters
• Lead the pursuit process for new opportunities, including understanding client requirements and drafting proposals
• Proactively contribute to the team’s marketing efforts, including attending networking events, preparing presentations and marketing collateral
• Contribute to reports being prepared by other Advisory teams (e.g. Due Diligence, Corporate Finance, Restructuring)

• Manage your time and that of the team and deliver work in line with agreed budgets, monitoring time and costs and advising the partner/director/client as appropriate
• Provide coaching and training to junior team members
• Contribute to the operational and interpersonal success of the team

Knowing you’re right for us  

Joining us as an Associate Director, the minimum criteria you’ll need is to have:

• Experience in a directly comparable Big 4 or similar modelling team
• Currently holding a senior manager or equivalent grade
• Excellent Excel proficiency and familiarity with advanced techniques
• Strong understanding of modelling best practice ideas
• Highly numerate with strong communication skills
• Logical approach to problem-solving, attention to detail
• A track record of collaboration with clients and colleagues
• Strong accounting skills and understanding of cash and working capital cycles
• Educated to degree level or equivalent, preferably in a numerate degree
• ACA or CA qualified or equivalent

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.  

• Experience of coaching and/or mentoring others
• Have a defined specialism in a relevant target industry sector, or modelling specialism such as operational change or restructuring, is desirable.
• Experience with VBA programming or PowerBI
• Experience of business development and relationship building

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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