Accordion Associate at Accordion supports cross-functional teams in identifying and resolving financial and operational issues for clients. Key tasks include designing data aggregation processes and developing automated reporting packages.
Responsibilities
As an Associate on a lean, cross-functional team, you will work collaboratively with a diverse set of colleagues with backgrounds in private equity, investment banking, FP&A, Big 4, and financial controllership, to identify and rectify issues across a broad range of scenarios. The following representative engagements are emblematic of the type of work you will do as an Associate at Accordion.
A financial services company recently emerged from bankruptcy and underwent changes in ownership. They need additional visibility into company-wide financial and operational performance. You are brought in to:
Determine data availability and reliability and design a structured process to aggregate relevant data sets that will serve as the foundation of all future reporting
Work with the CFO, PE sponsor, and operating team to understand business drivers, verify KPIs, and establish a single source of numerical truth via monthly reporting packages
Develop a reporting cadence and automated processes that combine sound data flows and insightful KPIs to generate monthly Board and management reporting packages
Train the existing FP&A team to run and own process flows and forecast analysis tools
A higher education enterprise that scaled up through a series of acquisitions requires a budget plan, better forecasting tools, and insightful analytics to guide decision-making. You are brought in to:
Complete a diagnostic deep dive to identify anecdotes, root causes, and key corrective themes in the existing budgeting and forecasting processes
Quarterback a comprehensive budget plan and process in partnership with FP&A, sales, operations, and senior leadership teams
Build out and maintain 13-week cash flow forecasts by coordinating with the relevant departments within the company
Leverage PowerQuery and PowerPivot for structuring, analyzing, and modeling data within Excel; despite back-end complexity, deliver reports that remain user friendly for the CFO, FP&A team, and other relevant stakeholders
Following the acquisition of three stand-alone businesses, a PE sponsor has identified the need to consolidate operations and establish a singular finance function that will own budgeting, financial reporting, bank reporting, and new CFO onboarding, in order to realize the synergies identified in their investment thesis. Get ready to:
Qualification
Bachelor's degree in FinanceTransactional finance experiencePrior experience preparing reportsStrong drive and motivationExcited to be part of a growing team
Required
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics; MBA is a plus
Minimum 3 years of experience at a top tier private equity firm, investment bank, and/or consulting firm
High attention to detail and advanced quantitative skills, especially as it relates to financial modeling and corporate valuation
Proven ability to leverage Excel and other tools (e.g. PowerBI) to manage, simplify, analyze, and present large and complex datasets
Transactional finance experience, as well as an understanding of operational finance
Prior experience preparing reports, presentations, and memos; ability to present data-driven insights in a clear, succinct, and comprehensive manner
Strong drive and motivation, adhering to the highest professional standards in working with clients and colleagues
An ability to work collaboratively and independently in a team-oriented environment, understanding how to take initiative and seek guidance when needed in order to advance your projects
Excited to be part of a growing team, with a focus on driving future growth
Passionate about delivering exceptional client service
Knowledgeable about the relationship between private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, particularly within the office of the CFO
Willing to get your hands dirty in the details of a project while simultaneously seeing the whole picture
