Finance Transformation Associate Director in Manchester

Overview

Grant Thornton UK's Finance Consulting/CFO Solutions practice helps ambitious businesses transform their finance functions—making them faster, smarter, and more strategically relevant to the organisations they serve. The practice works with CFOs and Financial Controllers across a range of sectors to re‑engineer controllership and financial close processes, deploy automation technologies, and build the capability needed to sustain lasting change. This role is a high‑profile Senior Manager/Associate Director within the Controllership Transformation and Financial Close Automation practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end controllership transformation programmes, from current‑state diagnostic through to future‑state operating model design and implementation.
• Own financial close automation workstreams, overseeing solution design, vendor engagement, configuration, testing, user adoption and change management.
• Advise clients on close technology platform selection, with expertise across FloQast, OneStream and Prophix.
• Redesign financial close and consolidation processes, including close calendar optimisation, task management, account reconciliation and intercompany automation.
• Develop and implement policy and control frameworks that underpin a faster, more reliable close and reduce manual effort and audit risk.
• Drive automation of journal entry, reconciliation and variance analysis workflows to materially reduce close cycle times.
• Translate complex finance operations and technology challenges into clear, actionable roadmaps for clients.
• Manage delivery across multiple concurrent engagements, ensuring quality, timeline and budget commitments are met.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline through existing client relationships, network referrals and targeted outbound activity with CFOs and Financial Controllers.
• Author compelling proposals and lead pitches to CFO and Controller‑level stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with close technology vendors, including FloQast, OneStream and Prophix.
• Contribute to the development of Grant Thornton's Controllership and financial close service offerings – methodologies, diagnostic tools, accelerators and thought leadership.
• Build and mentor a high‑performing team of Managers and Consultants, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Represent Grant Thornton at external events, roundtables and industry forums to raise the practice profile.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in controllership, financial close transformation or finance management consulting, with a track record of leading complex programmes.
• Hands‑on implementation or advisory experience with one or more close automation or EPM platforms: FloQast, OneStream, Prophix, Blackline or comparable.
• Deep understanding of controllership processes: financial close cycles, account reconciliation, consolidation, intercompany accounting, journal entry management and statutory reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to design future‑state close operating models—covering process, automation, controls, data and people dimensions.
• Experience working at senior client levels and building trusted relationships with CFOs and Financial Controllers.
• Commercial acumen – able to scope engagements, manage budgets and identify revenue opportunities.
• Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAS or equivalent) strongly preferred.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Private Equity–backed environments, improving close quality and auditability ahead of exit or IPO.
• FloQast implementation or roll‑out experience (certification an advantage).
• OneStream or Prophix consolidation and close management configuration experience.
• Familiarity with a broader finance technology landscape: ERP (SAP, Oracle, D365), reconciliation automation and reporting tools.
• Understanding of the intersection between close quality, internal controls and external audit.
• Sector depth in one or more of: Financial Services, Consumer, TMT, Infrastructure or Public Sector.
• Experience building or scaling a consulting practice area or service line.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and reward package.
• Tailored development programmes and access to coaching.
• Flexible bank holidays, additional holiday purchasing and health benefits.
• Pension, life assurance and private medical, with additional benefits such as shopping discounts, gym memberships and financial advice.
• Access to a supportive, inclusive culture with work‑life balance.