Financial Analyst

PwC Careers Africa; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

PwC Africa is seeking an Associate to support their Deals Business Recovery Services. This junior restructuring role involves advising clients on operational turnaround and performance improvement strategies, requiring strong financial analysis skills and relevant professional qualifications. The candidate will collaborate with the PwC CARS team on diverse projects across various industries, providing strategic solutions to clients in distress.

Qualifications

• Degree in Commerce or Business Science with Honours required.
• Experience in operations and management consultancy expected.
• Strong skills in financial analysis and business development.

Responsibilities

• Support restructuring and performance improvement projects.
• Advise on turnaround strategies and cost reduction initiatives.
• Conduct cash flow reviews and manage working capital.

Skills

Financial analysis

Commercial business acumen

Critical thinking

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Accounting

Bachelor of Business Science with Honours in Finance

MBA

CFA

CIMA

Relevant professional qualifications

Job description

At PwC, our people in deals focus on providing strategic advice and support to clients in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and restructuring. They help clients navigate complex transactions and maximise value in their business deals.

In deal recovery management at PwC, you will focus on helping clients navigate financial distress and recover from challenging business situations. You will be responsible for providing strategic advice and solutions to optimise recovery outcomes.

A career within Deals Business Recovery Services will provide you with the opportunity to support our clients in surviving an imminent crisis or fixing gaps in their organisation. We help clients reduce balance sheet stress, generate cash, reduce costs, or refinance to find the best source of capital to support their business objectives. Whatever the solution, we help them manage challenges until the job is done.

Job Description

To truly stand out and prepare for the future in a constantly changing world, each of us at PwC needs to be a purpose-led and values-driven leader at every level. To help us achieve this, we have the PwC Professional; our global leadership development framework. It sets clear expectations across our lines, geographies, and career paths, and highlights the skills necessary for success and career progression, now and in the future.

As an Associate, you'll work as part of a team of problem solvers, helping to address complex business issues from strategy to execution.

Role Summary:

This is a junior restructuring role supporting the PwC Africa Operational Restructuring Lead with capability and practice development, mainly through business development and project delivery excellence. The role involves leading complex client situations focused on operational turnaround and performance improvement across various industries.

Qualifications / Certifications required:

• Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Accounting with CA (SA);
• Bachelor of Business Science with Honours in Finance / CA (SA);
• Engineer or relevant professional qualification (e.g., MBA, APICS, CPIM); or
• CFA, CIMA, or other relevant professional degree.

Experience required:

• Experience with operational improvement programs
• Advisory experience from a management consultancy, advisory firm, or as an internal consultant
• Operations experience across sectors such as engineering, financial services, retail, industrial, consumer, high tech, utilities, logistics, telecoms, and energy
• Proven P&L analysis, cash flow, and balance sheet work
• Proficiency with spreadsheets, financial, and operational KPIs, and comfortable with financial analysis
• Track record in business development

Responsibilities of role:

As part of the PwC CARS team, the candidate will be involved in restructuring and performance improvement projects across various industries, gaining exposure to a diverse client base. We serve clients ranging from large multinationals to owner-managed businesses, across Africa.

We seek an Associate to work on high-profile clients experiencing stress or distress requiring turnaround or transformation with a financial and operational restructuring focus. Responsibilities include advising on:

• Independent business reviews,
• Turnaround strategies with specific performance measures,
• Strategic options analysis,
• Contingency planning,
• Cost reduction and EBITDA improvement initiatives,
• Short-term cash flow reviews and forecasting,
• Cash management strategies,
• Working capital improvement plans,
• Restructuring office services for turnaround programs.

Skill sets required:

Strong financial analysis skills and commercial business acumen are essential. You should demonstrate agility in a demanding environment, effective stakeholder communication, excellent project management, critical thinking, and a motivated, commercially astute approach to restructuring challenges.