Consultant (Finance)

In the light of our recent growth, we are specifically seeking a qualified accountant who has prior project-based experience (for example, analysis or report-writing). You should be dynamic and self-motivated, with a keen appetite to make your professional mark within an advisory service environment and – ultimately – to become a leader within Crowe Horwath’s consulting practice. 

We are specifically looking for “can-do” individuals who aren’t afraid to take on new responsibility and to go the extra mile to ensure that our clients are given the best service possible.

Outline of the role

In Ireland, Crowe Horwath Consulting Services work primarily with public sector clients (and with some voluntary and private sector clients) across the island and, on occasions, overseas. Our client base includes many leading public sector organisations in both Ireland and internationally, examples of which can be found on our website. 

Our work is a mixture of long-term change management advisory engagements and short-term (3 – 6 months) projects designed to address specific problems. Our projects are very broad-ranging, and include:

• Strategic and operational service reviews
• Governance and regulatory reform
• Financial and value for money reviews
• Health service configuration reviews 
• Strategy development and business planning
• Policy and programme evaluation
• Implementation of public sector change
• ICT strategy development, systems specification, procurement and implementation
• Economic appraisal and business case preparation 
• Organisational and HR reviews.

Delivering challenging projects, as well as helping to win new assignments and develop Crowe Horwath’s business, will be central components of your role. It is likely that around 70% of your time will be devoted to project delivery, with the balance spent on a combination of business development and professional skills enhancement. As all of our staff are encouraged to play a role in business development, you will also have the chance not just to prepare sales proposals and presentations, but also to develop client relationships and manage key accounts.

Role and responsibilities of the Consultant

As a key member of the firm, your responsibilities will include:

• undertaking consulting assignments “from the cradle to the grave,” ranging from fact-finding and interviewing, through problem analysis and solution development, to report-writing and presentation of findings/recommendations
• ensuring that expected deliverables (reports, presentations, training programmes etc) which you are asked to produce are developed to the client’s satisfaction, on time and on budget
• helping to develop and maintain client relationships
• working with project teams, external consultants and other resources as required
• client liaison and development of proposals/tenders
• contributing to the future development of the practice. 

The role is not prescriptive, in that you will be encouraged to take on as much responsibility as you can handle comfortably, and to develop new ideas and products. Equally, your role may change from one project to the next, depending on the needs of the client and the nature of the assignment. Naturally, you will be expected to balance your workload effectively and to manage your time so that you meet key objectives in both project delivery and business development.

Whilst financial analysis will be a core responsibility of the post-holder, it is also expected that s/he should be able to undertake more broadly-based analytical work involving qualitative and organisational matters as well as financial data.

Other duties and responsibilities may be defined by senior management as required.

Person specification for the role of Consultant:

For this role, you should meet the following criteria:

• Qualifications: Candidates should hold a degree from a recognised third-level institution, and should be a qualified accountant (ICAI, ACCA or equivalent).
• Experience: Candidates must have a minimum of one year’s post-qualification experience, during which time you should have undertaken project-based work (e.g. advisory or consulting projects, or analytical work).
• Special Skills and Attributes: Candidates must have proactive communication skills and be capable of communicating, sharing and debating complex issues with clients. Candidates will have the personal attributes to create an atmosphere of approachability, receptivity and authority. Of great importance will be the ability to conceptualise how problems have arisen and how they may best be resolved in both the short-term and into the future, and to make the transition between short-term “fire-fighting” solutions and the development of more long-term strategic solutions. Excellent written skills are an essential component of the position.
• Mobility: As our clients are based across the island of Ireland, you must possess a valid, full driving licence and have access to your own vehicle.
• If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and a short paragraph outlining your experience in project-based and analytical work to date to.

Applications received will be stored on our system and may be considered for similar positions that may arise within the next year. By applying for this position, you hereby agree to the personal data contained in your application, and provided by you to Crowe Horwath, being retained by us for a period of up to one year from the date of receipt of your application. If you are applying for a position and you do not wish for your details to be stored by us, please notify us by emailing hr@crowehorwath.ie and we will ensure that such information is not stored other than for the purposes of this application.