At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our advisory team to help clients make strategic financial decisions.
- Company: AAB, a leading professional services firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth and support for your wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on diverse projects across the UK and Ireland.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with strong analytical and financial modelling skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
AAB is a leading professional services firm operating across the UK, Ireland, and the USA. We specialise in the mid-market, supporting individuals, family businesses, and organisations with a full suite of services including audit, tax, corporate finance, payroll, people consultancy, and wealth management. With 1,000+ team members, we deliver expert support to clients all over the world.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We succeed together as one team, building strong client relationships through passion, empathy, and straightforward advice. That’s what makes AAB different. We invest in brilliant talent across every area of the business, offering tailored training, professional qualifications, and continuous support to help you grow.
Your growth matters to us. We’ll give you the tools, encouragement, and opportunities to lead, learn, and make an impact. Guided by our six core values, we foster a culture where collaboration, trust, and enthusiasm thrive.
At AAB, your career is what you make it. We are here to help you turn ambition into action, whether that’s becoming a technical expert, a future leader, or someone who simply makes a difference every day. If you're ready to be part of a team that’s united by purpose and driven by values, we’d love to hear from you.
We take our responsibility seriously. From reducing our environmental impact, to supporting education through training and talent programmes, to giving back to our local communities with our charitable initiative ABBIE- ESG is part of who we are.
ROLE PURPOSE
We are seeking an ambitious and commercially minded Qualified Accountant to join our growing advisory team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys combining financial analysis, commercial thinking and problem solving to help private and public sector clients make informed strategic decisions. The successful candidate will work on a diverse portfolio of projects across Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK, advising private businesses on growth and funding opportunities while supporting public sector organisations in the appraisal, development and evaluation of major capital investment and economic development projects. Working as part of a small, highly experienced team, you will have significant client exposure and the opportunity to contribute to projects that have a measurable economic impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Private Sector Advisory
- Prepare robust business plans to support business growth, investment and strategic decision making.
- Develop financial models, forecasts and sensitivity analyses.
- Prepare funding and grant applications for regional, national and EU funding programmes.
- Undertake financial analysis to assess business performance, profitability and growth opportunities.
- Advise clients on expansion projects, capital investment, innovation and productivity improvements.
- Conduct benchmarking and performance reviews.
- Support businesses in developing investment propositions for lenders and investors.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, profitability and cash flow.
- Present findings and recommendations to business owners, senior management and stakeholders.
- Public Sector Advisory
- Prepare Business Cases in accordance with HM Treasury Green Book and relevant departmental guidance.
- Prepare Economic Appraisals, Strategic Assessments and Options Appraisals.
- Undertake financial and economic analysis to assess value for money.
- Prepare Feasibility Studies for regeneration, infrastructure, tourism and economic development projects.
- Complete Post Project Evaluations and programme reviews.
- Develop financial appraisals and lifecycle cost models.
- Support clients in the preparation of investment strategies and funding submissions.
- Analyse socio-economic data, demographic information and market intelligence to inform project recommendations.
- Liaise with local authorities, government departments and funding bodies.
- General Responsibilities
- Produce high-quality reports suitable for senior management, boards and funding agencies.
- Interpret complex financial and economic information into clear, evidence-based recommendations.
- Manage multiple assignments simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are achieved.
- Build strong client relationships and maintain excellent levels of customer service.
- Participate in client meetings, workshops and presentations.
- Assist with business development and proposal preparation.
- Support and collaborate with colleagues across the advisory team.
- Maintain awareness of public funding programmes, government policy and economic trends.
Experience & Qualifications
Person Specification:
- Essential:
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Strong analytical, financial modelling and report-writing skills.
- Experience analysing complex financial information and drawing commercial conclusions.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills.
- Ability to communicate confidently with senior stakeholders.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
- A proactive approach, with the confidence to ask challenging questions, test assumptions and develop practical solutions.
- Desirable:
- Experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:
- Experience in business advisory, consultancy or strategic planning.
- Business case preparation, economic appraisal or feasibility studies.
- Funding applications and public funding programmes.
- Financial modelling and investment appraisal.
- Economic development, regeneration or public sector projects.
- Knowledge of HM Treasury Green Book methodology.
Key Competencies
- Commercial awareness.
- Strategic thinking.
- Critical analysis and problem solving.
- Financial interpretation.
- Report writing and presentation.
- Client relationship management.
- Attention to detail.
- Time management.
- Team working.
- Initiative and self-motivation.
WHAT AAB OFFER
We want you to feel supported inside and outside of work. That’s why we offer a benefits package designed for your wellbeing, lifestyle, and career.
- Time Off & Family Support
- Annual leave (plus public holidays), with the option to buy or carry over leave.
- Enhanced parental leave (maternity, paternity, adoption).
- Paid volunteering day to support causes that matter to you.
- Health & Wellbeing
- Private Medical Insurance (PMI) for you and the option to cover family members.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for 24/7 mental health and wellbeing support.
- Death in Service benefit.
- Financial Security
- Competitive pension scheme.
- Life assurance policies to support you and your family.
- Flexible & Agile Working
- Hybrid working model.
- Agile working culture that supports flexible hours and smarter working.
- Modern office spaces designed for collaboration, focus, and wellbeing.
Advisory Accountant - Private & Public Sector Advisory in Belfast employer: AAB
AAB is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, making it an ideal place for Strategic HR Consultants to thrive. With a strong emphasis on professional development and mentoring, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to meaningful client advisory projects in the vibrant city of Belfast. The hybrid working model further enhances work-life balance, allowing for flexibility and innovation in delivering HR consulting services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advisory Accountant - Private & Public Sector Advisory in Belfast
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like AAB. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Advisory Accountant - Private & Public Sector Advisory in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to AAB.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on AAB's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AAB
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with AAB.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at AAB will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former AAB employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
