Finance Transformation Associate Director in Edinburgh

At Grant Thornton we do things differently – looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. We provide audit, tax and advisory services and empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity and genuine partnership. We empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work‑life balance.

A look into the role

We are growing our team and looking for an exceptional Senior Manager/Associate Director to scale our Controllership Transformation and Financial Close Automation practice. This high‑profile role sits at the intersection of finance operations, process redesign and enabling technology, working alongside senior finance leaders and shaping the future of our controllership offering. You will take a leading role in delivering engagements that help clients fundamentally improve how they close their books, consolidate financials and report with confidence. You will combine deep controllership expertise with hands‑on experience of close automation and EPM technology to drive genuine, measurable outcomes – reducing close cycle times, improving accuracy and freeing up finance teams to focus on higher‑value work. This is not a back‑office role. You will be visible with clients at CFO and Financial Controller level, shaping propositions, leading teams and building Grant Thornton’s reputation as the go‑to adviser for controllership transformation.

Client Delivery

• 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 specific 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, reducing manual effort and audit risk simultaneously.
• 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 that clients can own and execute.
• Manage delivery across multiple concurrent engagements, ensuring quality, timeline and budget commitments are met.

Business Development

• 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, articulating a clear and differentiated point of view on financial close transformation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with close technology vendors, including FloQast, OneStream and Prophix, as part of GT's Digital Alliances programme.

Practice Development

• Contribute to the development of Grant Thornton’s Controllership and financial close service offerings – including methodologies, diagnostic tools, accelerators and thought leadership.
• Build and mentor a high‑performing team of Managers and Consultants, creating a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Represent Grant Thornton at external events, roundtables and industry forums to build our profile in the controllership transformation market.

Minimum Criteria

• 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 – comfortable building trusted relationships with CFOs and Financial Controllers.
• Track record of identifying and driving out controllership inefficiencies through a combination of process redesign, policy clarification and technology enablement.
• Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAS or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Strong commercial acumen, able to scope engagements, manage budgets and identify revenue opportunities.

Preferred but not mandatory

• Experience in Private Equity‑backed environments, particularly 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 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, and how to turn audit findings into a transformation business case.
• 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.

Why Grant Thornton

The culture at Grant Thornton is what sets us apart – we’re known for an inclusive culture and creating environments where everyone can flourish. We value purpose‑driven people who are actively curious, candid and kind, and we look for those who align with our values. Alongside a competitive salary and reward package, you’ll also receive:

Benefits

• Tailored development programmes and access to coaching.
• Flexible bank holidays, allowing you to celebrate the days that are important to you.
• Pension, life assurance, private medical, additional holiday purchasing and health benefits.
• Other benefits giving you access to shopping discounts, gym memberships and financial advice.

How We Work

We have a trust‑based way of working, driven by responsible people who put the best interests of our firm and clients first. Our framework gives flexibility in where, how and when we work to deliver the best results for our clients, whilst keeping a healthy work‑life balance. We want people who can drive the business forward, contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.