UKI Portfolio Finance Advisor (PFA) Supervising Associate

The PFA SA will be aligned to a Service Line (SL) and provide advice to partners and their teams which optimizes margin at a pursuit, engagement or partner portfolio level. A successful PFA SA will act as a trusted business advisor through demonstrating and leveraging financial, commercial and consulting skills.

There are two components to the role: providing on demand financial advisory support as a result of complex queries escalated from the Mercury Business Advisor organization, and proactive oversight by exception to support improved financial performance in modelling pricing scenarios right through to the end of the engagement lifecycle where there is complexity and materiality.

The PFA SA will be aligned with a PFA manager who will assign oversight priorities, special projects and act as a coach and mentor. A successful candidate must be able to work independently and virtually as part of a wider team, using tools and technology to stay connected and be accountable for upskilling their knowledge.

Your key responsibilities:

• Team closely with the SL's PFA manager to agree their priorities, aligned with the business needs


• Provide advice tailored to the business needs that optimises margin and financial management at a pursuit, engagement and portfolio level where these are complex and material


• Demonstrate deep knowledge of financial tools, SL strategies and policies which they can articulate both content and context appropriate for the audience to help our partners navigate in order to deliver work successfully to their clients


• Share forward looking margin and business insights gained from working closely with the business and their PFA manager to ensure SL leadership are equipped with the knowledge to drive better business decisions


• Strong teaming with the PFA manager and other PFA SAs aligned to the Service Line


• Willing to get involved to support ad-hoc projects and initiatives led by the PFA manager


• Shares their knowledge and experiences across the team to strengthen skills and improve advice to CS


• Support the PFA manager to provide experiential learning opportunities for MBA colleagues


• Contribute to capturing and shaping best practices, processes and improved solutions


• Identify and socialize trends and challenges faced by the business enabling Finance to react and address in an effective manner


• Stay current with the firm's policies, processes and tools


• Maintain connection with the business and their key stakeholders
  
  Financial, business and commercial acumen


• High degree of personal ownership and accountability


• Understands the financial and commercial drivers of business performance


• Demonstrates analytical skills and ability to distil and interpret data


• Understand the value of proactive financial advice early in the pursuit stage and throughout the lifecycle of the engagement


• Able to absorb and advocate guidelines and policies to key stakeholders


• Demonstrates awareness of the challenges faced by the business in managing their accounts and engagements


Analytical/Decision Making Responsibilities

• Consumes and distils complex financial knowledge and policy awareness into advice tailored to meet CS needs


• Applies judgement in order to establish root causes which results in recommendations which help CS establish priorities that will optimize margin and improve financial management


• Able to analyse extensive data and reporting to pinpoint where their advice will have greatest impact


Characteristics

• Open to coaching by more experienced team members


• Tailor knowledge and approach to be able to meet specific needs


• Methodical working approach


Communication

• Professional approach, demonstrating tact and diplomacy


• Excellent questioning, commercial and listening skills


• Demonstrates enhanced soft skills when dealing with senior stakeholders


• Able to flex their working style according to the situation and audience


• Requires minimal input in order to deliver concise, insightful and credible financial guidance and advice


• Effective communication and presentation skills


Continuous improvement

• Willingness to share best practices and insights with other members of the PFA team


• Ability to draw insights from others and apply them to other situations


To qualify for the role you must have:

• Demonstrable experience in a client driven professional environment in a financial/business capacity


• Proven ability to build credibility and trust with senior stakeholders whilst at times maintain resilience


• Time and project management skills - able to plan and manage time effectively and flexibly to meet priorities


• Ability to thrive in and adapt to a fast changing, growing and high activity environment


• Excellent IT skills - Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint


Ideally, you'll also have:

• Experience of working in finance or operations within a professional services or consultancy environment


• Be working towards a recognised accountancy qualification


• Coaching and mentoring skills


What we look for

You will be an experienced Trusted Business Advisor with a passion for providing exceptional client service to your stakeholders with the ability to think on your feet to make innovative and informed decisions.

The PFA SA is a member of a high performing and mixed rank PFA team led by the SL Markets Finance Lead. The PFA SA will be part of an extended global PFA network, focused on improving margin performance and are at the forefront of finance and business policies, tools and best practices to effectively support Client Servers (CS). This is a fantastic opportunity for you to join the PFA team at EY working with senior stakeholders., As a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, we're using the finance products, expertise and systems we've developed to build a better working world. That starts with a culture that believes in giving you the training, opportunities and creative freedom to make things better. Whenever you join, however long you stay, the exceptional EY experience lasts a lifetime.

We offer a competitive remuneration package where you'll be rewarded for your individual and team performance. Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for flexible working and career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs, covering holidays, health and well-being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions. Plus, we offer:

• Continuous learning: You'll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.


• Success as defined by you: We'll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.


• Transformative leadership: We'll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.


• Diverse and inclusive culture: You'll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.