Value Creation Senior Associate (Financial Excellence)

Position Overview

Access is seeking outstanding candidates for the role of Senior Associate of Financial Excellence (Value Creation).

This individual will report to and work with the Principal of Financial Excellence to drive the financial center of excellence at Access. The intent is to support the buildout of modern financial organization tools and processes that can more quickly and effectively support the scaling of portfolio company capabilities.

The Senior Associate will provide accounting and financial expertise, coaching, and execution as part of the firm’s Value Creation Team to drive data and reporting excellence, financial function buildout, and digital reporting at portfolio companies.

This position is based in Baltimore, MD. The expectation is that the successful candidate will spend time in the field with portfolio company financial teams supporting their capability development and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Center of Excellence at Access

• Create playbooks of best practices for financial function processes at portfolio companies and drive their implementation
• Develop third-party relationships to support best practice implementation (e.g., implementation of ERP support, financial reporting solutions, new accounting and treasury relationships, audit support)
• Lead forums (with internal or external resources) to train and build portfolio company skills and capabilities
• Work closely with Access investment teams to evaluate accounting and finance capabilities of potential investments’ finance and accounting groups
• Work closely with Access investment teams to drive excellence in financial review processes

Support for Portfolio Companies

• Drive implementation and ongoing compliance with Access’ Data Driven Programmatic Portfolio Company Reporting standards and procedures
• Lead the financial standup for new platform acquisitions
• Enable/drive definition and implementation of key performance indicators within each portfolio company
• Ensure effective quarterly planning and reforecasting process - tactical and strategic forecasts – at all portfolio companies
• Perform ad-hoc business and financial reporting to Access management as needed
• Assure the implementation of modern technology and digital tools to informed decision making
• Design effective accounting and finance organizations with existing and new portfolio companies, applying rigor to position definitions, specifications and hiring profiles
• Assist in accounting policy development; define and support the establishment of finance and accounting operating cycle at portfolio companies
• Support the buildout of treasury functions at portfolio companies

Qualifications & Characteristics:

Successful candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Experience in designing, building, and scaling effective accounting and finance organizations
• Experience implementing financial elements of ERPs (Intaact and NetSuite a plus) and financial analysis tools
• Excellent understanding of US GAAP accounting and financial statement analysis
• Ability to work directly with our portfolio company CFOs
• Exceptional project management skills with ability to work with cross functional teams
• Experience in M&A due diligence and integration processes of add-on acquisitions
• Professional experience and training from a large accounting firm (Big 4 preferred)
• High level of intellectual curiosity, intellectual engagement, and initiative
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Low ego, consultative / collaborative style with an ability to influence through use of data and analysis when dealing with peers who are not direct reports
• Collaborative team approach and willing to roll up their sleeves to ensure deadlines are met
• Ability to balance the need and use of data and analysis with desire for insights and action

Requirements:

• Ideal candidate has 2-3 years of audit or transaction advisory experience, followed by 2-3 years of finance management consulting experience
• CPA preferred
• Prior experience with private equity backed businesses is a plus