Graduate Consultant Program - Consultant, Finance

EY; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consulting firm is seeking a motivated Graduate Consultant for their Finance division in Manchester. This entry-level role offers a structured development program, focusing on finance transformation and digital technologies. Successful candidates will engage in client projects while pursuing the ACCA Diploma. The firm supports flexible working and values inclusivity, making it an ideal environment to jump-start your consulting career.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Continuous learning opportunities

Career development support

Flexible working arrangements

Diverse and inclusive culture

Qualifications

• Interest in finance and consulting with ACCA Diploma aspiration.
• Willingness to work in a hybrid environment.
• Capable of managing multiple demands in a team setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage project plans and stakeholder communications.
• Create documents and present findings.
• Analyse financial data for business insights.

Skills

Relationship building

Emotional intelligence

Analytical skills

Project management

Flexibility

IT proficiency

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job description

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence.

We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go.

Join EY and help to build a better working world.

EY Graduate Consultant Program – Consultant, Finance (Entry level) - Manchester

Location: Ernst & Young LLP, 2 St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 3DF.

EY’s UK & Ireland (UK&I) Consulting practice is seeking to expand its presence in the North, advising clients across a broad spectrum of private & public sector organisations, many of which are household names and/or market leaders in their industry or sector. Our Graduate Consultant Program is recruiting enthusiastic, motivated graduates with a desire to help shape tomorrow’s world of working in finance.

The Opportunity

Finance Consulting works with clients to address mission‑critical issues for the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), creating value and delivering world‑class future finance capabilities, leveraging the EY brand as impartial, trusted advisors. You will work in multi‑disciplinary teams for some of the biggest and most recognised corporate brands in the world, applying the latest technologies and analytical methods, to help drive their business performance and digital finance transformation agendas that make a real difference to our working world.

Our Graduate Consultant Program is a structured two to three‑year program, developing both technical finance skills and practical core consulting skills through on‑the‑job learning, formal courses and studying the ACCA Diploma. You will work with your assigned counsellor to build a learning plan around your own interests as they develop, driving your career in a direction you choose, alongside the needs of the business. The Graduate Consultant Program will equip successful applicants with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience for a career in Management Consulting.

Your Role and Key Responsibilities

Working as part of a client‑facing team, you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects in Finance Transformation. Our competency is split into two core Solution Groups: Finance Strategy & Transformation and Value & Performance Management. Roles will typically involve Project Management Support or Data Analysis as a consultant. As you become more experienced and progress, you will expand into supporting with more technical solution group‑specific roles.

As an EY Consultant, you will:

• Manage project plans, take minutes of meetings and actions, and follow up with stakeholders to complete tasks
• Create presentations and documents, and facilitate workshops to capture requirements
• Analyse financial data for patterns, trends, and insights, communicating in a meaningful way that aids decision making
• Support benchmarking and comparison of business operating models to industry and business size best practice
• Develop core consulting skills through on‑the‑job experience on client projects and internal work, and structured training
• Support the design and delivery of a variety of solutions in finance and broader projects through defined EY methodologies, including finance technology platforms, performance management processes and global shared services
• Leverage digital technologies such as AI, machine learning, data visualisation and data analytics to support client objectives
• Collaborate with globally recognised clients, the wider EY firm and other third parties
• Study toward the ACCA Diploma and have the option to build a business case to study towards the full ACCA qualification

Skills and Attributes for Success:

• Ability to build rapport and relationships with people at all levels irrespective of background and organisation
• Demonstrate teaming, emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills
• A willingness to face new problems and learn new skills
• The capability to manage varying and often conflicting demands of working on projects
• Curiosity, diagnostic and analytical skills to solve problems
• The ability to execute tasks with minimal supervision and use initiative
• Enjoy working as part of a team, having a shared sense of purpose, and achieving shared goals
• The ability to communicate assuredly, clearly, and concisely in both oral and written forms
• An interest in learning more about AI and digital technologies and how they can solve business problems
• Flexibility and adaptability, dealing with ambiguity and under pressure situations
• Proficiency in using IT: particularly Microsoft Office applications and learning new applications
• Aptitude to be service‑orientated, demonstrate our values and an appreciation for what it means to be client‑facing, and represent our Firm in everything that you do

To qualify for the role, you must have

• A degree‑level education, or equivalent degree‑apprenticeship
• An interest in building a role in consulting and finance and studying ACCA to Diploma level (minimum)
• A desire to work in Manchester (we work in a Hybrid working environment, where the expectation is to work in the office or client site 2‑3 days a week. You may need to also travel as required by the client or project assignment, and you may be required to travel nationally or internationally on occasions)

What we Offer

We offer a competitive remuneration package where you’ll be rewarded for your individual and team performance.

Being part of the Graduate Consultant Program provides an exceptional experience to kick‑start your consulting journey. At the end of each year on the program, your performance will be assessed, and if you meet requirements, you will progress to the next year group. At each progression your base salary will increase.

Our comprehensive Total Rewards package includes support for career development, and with FlexEY you can select benefits that suit your needs; covering holidays, health and well‑being, insurance, savings and a wide range of discounts, offers and promotions.

Plus, we offer:

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility so you can make a meaningful impact, your way
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs
• A diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs

EY is committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We strive to achieve the right balance for our people, enabling us to deliver excellent client service whilst allowing you to build your career without sacrificing your personal priorities. While our client‑facing professionals can be required to travel regularly, and at times be based at client sites, our flexible working arrangements can help you to achieve a lifestyle balance.

If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.

The Exceptional EY Experience. It’s yours to build.