Finance Business Architect

Finance Business Architect

Role purpose

The Finance Business Architect is a senior leader within the Finance Transformation practice responsible for helping CFOs design, build and implement future-fit finance functions. Operating at the intersection of finance, process, data, governance and technology, the role bridges strategy and execution by translating business objectives into practical transformation roadmaps and enterprise-wide change programmes. The role combines business architecture, finance transformation, technology enablement and market-facing leadership responsibilities, serving as a trusted advisor to CFOs while helping grow and strengthen the Finance Transformation practice.

Key responsibilities

Finance transformation strategy. Advise CFOs and finance executives on the future of the finance function; assess current-state operating models, processes and technology landscapes; and define transformation visions, business cases, roadmaps and value-realisation frameworks. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, control, insight, scalability and finance business partnering.

Finance business architecture. Serve as the lead business architect across transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment between business strategy, operating models, processes, data, governance and technology. Translate CFO objectives into practical blueprints defining future finance capabilities, organisation, service delivery, governance and information architecture. Act as the functional design authority and maintain focus on business outcomes rather than technology deployment alone.

Process architecture and transformation. Have capabilities to drive the redesign of finance processes across the end-to-end finance value chain, helping organisations simplify operations, strengthen controls, improve service delivery and establish a scalable platform for growth. Apply deep knowledge of process design, policy, controls, organisational interfaces and service management to shape practical future-state architectures and identify opportunities to standardise, automate and optimise finance operations.

ERP, EPM and finance technology enablement. Provide finance leadership across technology-enabled transformation programmes, particularly those involving leading platforms such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Workday and OneStream. Ensure that finance requirements, processes, data, reporting and governance expectations translate into coherent system-enabled solutions. Oversee business blueprinting, functional design, solution governance, testing, deployment readiness and adoption.

Governance, controls and delivery assurance. Establish proportionate governance and design-authority arrangements, oversee programme risks and dependencies, integrate finance controls and audit requirements, and maintain transparent executive reporting. Ensure that programmes deliver sustainable operational improvements with clear accountability for benefits, decisions and outcomes.

Experience profile and success criteria

Finance data and reporting architecture. Shape finance information, reporting and analytics capabilities by defining fit-for-purpose data models, management information requirements, KPI frameworks, data governance principles and automation opportunities. Support an integrated, reliable and insight-led finance information environment.

Stakeholder leadership and change enablement. Build trusted relationships with CFOs, CIOs, finance leaders and business executives. Facilitate senior design and decision forums, align Finance, Technology, Risk, Operations and Change teams, and support adoption of new ways of working.

Team leadership and solution delivery oversight. Provide leadership and direction to multidisciplinary delivery teams throughout finance transformation programmes. The role is a deep knowledge and solution expert rather than the primary producer of every deliverable: it shapes the solution, sets delivery direction, guides EY and external teams, resolves complex design decisions and assures execution against the agreed target state. Lead managers, consultants, analysts, specialists, client teams, systems integrators and implementation partners through clear priorities, quality standards, governance and constructive challenge. Review critical outputs, intervene where delivery is off track, and build capability through coaching and knowledge transfer.

Practice growth and market development. Contribute to the growth and market positioning of the Finance Transformation practice by developing senior client relationships, identifying and originating opportunities, expanding existing accounts and supporting a sustainable pipeline. Lead or contribute to proposals, account planning, solution development, thought leadership, alliances and go-to-market activity.

Experience requirements

The successful candidate should demonstrate a balanced combination of finance expertise, architecture capability, technology-enabled transformation experience, programme leadership and commercial acumen. Suggested requirements are:

• Approximately 10 or more years of relevant experience, including substantial finance transformation, CFO advisory, finance change, business architecture or senior finance leadership experience.
• A strong record of leading complex transformation programmes, major workstreams or cross-functional design initiatives from strategy and blueprinting through implementation and value realisation.
• Demonstrated capability across finance operating model design, end-to-end process transformation, ERP or EPM-enabled change, finance data and reporting, controls, close and consolidation, shared services or governance.
• Experience shaping solutions, guiding multidisciplinary delivery teams, reviewing critical outputs and assuring execution by internal teams, clients, systems integrators and other external partners.
• Experience engaging senior executives, facilitating complex workshops and translating finance requirements into practical process, data, control and technology outcomes.
• Consulting or equivalent market-facing experience, including proposal development, opportunity shaping, client relationship development and contribution to revenue growth.
• Exposure to major finance platforms, particularly SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Workday or OneStream, with an understanding of ERP, EPM, reporting, data and integration within modern finance architecture.
• Relevant tertiary and professional qualifications. CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA or CPA is preferred; an MBA, relevant master’s degree, programme qualification or architecture certification is advantageous.

Success profile

The ideal candidate combines deep finance expertise with the ability to architect, govern and deliver enterprise-wide transformation. The individual is equally comfortable shaping strategy with a CFO, designing future-state capabilities, guiding implementation teams and influencing executive stakeholders. The successful Finance Business Architect is recognised as a trusted advisor, solution architect and delivery leader who can shape complex programmes, guide multidisciplinary EY and external teams, and ensure that strategic objectives translate into high-quality, sustainable outcomes. Success is demonstrated through strong client relationships, effective team leadership, successful delivery, realised benefits and a visible contribution to practice growth.