University Associate, Strategic Finance, Office of the CFO

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth.

Practice Overview

Ankura Office of the CFO™ (Ankura OCFO™) was established to support the strategic vision and evolving challenges and demands of the finance organization. Our focus is on enabling the CFO’s success by delivering holistic, tailored solutions to drive business performance, enable operational efficiency and effectiveness, and transform data into insights, and position the finance function as a strategic partner to the business.

Additional Job Description

Role Overview:

Ankura OCFO professionals are trusted partners who deliver sustainable long-term value and results to their clients spanning from mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, as well as private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Ankura Office of the CFO™ team members have a strong collaborative spirit and an entrepreneurial mindset as we work together to continue our rapid growth and constant innovation.

Responsibilities

• Ankura Quality of FinanceTM: Assess Finance organization’s vision and strategy, operating model and organization design, processes and technology; design and implement execution plans.
• Financial Planning & Analysis: Establish business partnering through strategic long-range planning, budgeting, forecasting and scenario modelling all enabled by technology.
• Reporting: Design management reporting packages with focus on key performance indicators to facilitate management and achievement of financial goals and targets i.e., EBITDA.
• Data Analytics & Visualization: Leverage analytics and visualization tools to influence decision-making and predict business outcomes with data-driven insights.
• Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Optimization: Drive working capital improvements and greater transparency into cash flow reporting and forecasting.
• Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency: Optimize Finance and Accounting processes, operations and service delivery model while managing overall cost of Finance.
• Transaction Preparation and Execution: Support Day One readiness and execution of a transaction or liquidity event and manage any transition service agreements or business integrations.
• Interim Management: Fill an interim or surge resource need specifically in a leadership or executive role; provide solutions to leverage human capital and experience.
• AI Enablement and Process Automation: Identify, evaluate, and apply artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies to enhance finance and accounting processes, improve efficiency, strengthen analytics, automate repeatable tasks, and create measurable client value.
• Financial Risk Management: Address audit committee and board concerns, remediate accounting, manage enterprise risk profile.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or degree equivalent in Business, Accounting/Finance, Management, Economics or related field with an expected graduation date of December 2026 through June 2027.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft product suite (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Advanced analytical, quantitative, and interpretative skills.
• Proficiency with AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies, with the ability to responsibly leverage AI to improve analysis, productivity, process efficiency, and business decision-making.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, collaborative work environment.
• Strong intellectual curiosity and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex unstructured information rapidly and develop insights and recommendations.
• Willingness to travel pending health and safety concerns.
• Demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism, ethics, quality, and integrity
• Willingness to travel up to 80%.
• Please note that this role requires permanent authorization to work in the U.S. (i.e. U.S. citizen or permanent resident). Intern and full-time University Associate roles are not eligible for U.S. immigration sponsorship, work visa or any other temporary work authorization (i.e. OPT, CPT).
• Please note that this role requires permanent authorization to work in the U.S. (i.e. U.S. citizen or permanent resident). Intern and full-time University Associate roles are not eligible for U.S. immigration sponsorship, work visa or any other temporary work authorization (i.e. OPT, CPT).
  
  

Ankura is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the said markets and considers a broad range of factors including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The range does not include additional benefits outside of salary. At Ankura, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each role. A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range is between $50,000 to $120,000; this range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Ankura is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters, if you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, submit an online application, or participate in an interview/assessment, please email accommodations@ankura.com or call toll-free 1.312-583-2122. This email and phone number are created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues unrelated to a disability, will not receive a response.