Analyst (Workiva)

Alpha FMC is the leading global consultancy to the Asset Management, Wealth Management and Insurance industries. As a trusted partner to more than 95% of the top 20 global Asset Management firms by AUM, we have an unrivalled track record in providing our base of over 660 clients with a competitive edge by using our deep industry knowledge and expertise. We have the largest dedicated team in the industry, with nearly 650 consultants globally, operating from 15 offices spanning the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.  

At Alpha, diversity and inclusion is not only important for – but critical to – our success, and we are committed to employing individuals from all backgrounds to reflect the multi-cultural society we live in. We have worked hard to foster an environment that welcomes everyone and celebrates each other’s successes.  We want Alpha to not only feel like ‘a job’ – we want it to feel like a community.

What makes us different?

• Established yet entrepreneurial. We believe that Alpha is the perfect combination of a successfully established firm (founded in 2003, quoted on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange) whilst being entrepreneurial, dynamic, and growing – meaning your contribution is seen and valued.
• Work alongside the best in the industry. Working at Alpha gives you the opportunity to work alongside not only the leading organisations in our industry, but also experts within the Alpha team. Learning directly from both will allow you to develop your own expertise in our space.
• A true meritocracy. At Alpha, we don’t have any concept of ‘time at level’ or promotion quotas – which means that your potential is truly driven by your performance rather than anything else!
• High responsibility and autonomy. Given our project team sizes (typically 2-10 people), each member has a high level of responsibility and autonomy on every project, as well as exposure to senior team members (e.g. Directors) who continuously train and develop you.
• Culture and community. We pride ourselves on creating a supportive, nurturing environment where people can be themselves.

Alpha Alternatives & Role Overview 

Alpha Alternatives is a global advisory firm with a focus on alternative investments and financial services. Our business model combines the talents of industry leaders and experts in service delivery to assist clients in achieving operational efficiencies and excellence through structure, process, and technology. We provide project-based services in several key areas including business consulting, technology solutions, and end-to-end operational improvement. 

The role sits within our EPM (Enterprise Performance Management) team in London, specifically within our reporting practice. We support our customers in producing complex reports more efficiently using technology, including things like Annual Reports, Statutory Reports, Fund Financial Statements, Sustainability Reporting, Fund Investor Reporting and more. Within our reporting practice, we primarily work with a tool called Workiva, of which we have a longstanding global partnership with. While Alpha Alternatives as a firm primarily supports alternative investment firms, our reporting practice supports customers across all industries that the wider Alpha group serve (Insurance, Asset Management, Banking and other Financial Services organisations).

Your role as an Analyst will mostly focus on supporting the delivery of Workiva implementations for our clients. As the practice is expanding, we are exploring other advisory opportunities & technology partnerships that complement this work, which the role may expand into over time.  

Core Responsibilities:

• An Analyst at Alpha is a core member of the team delivering components of client engagements that identify, design, and implement technology and creative business solutions
• Key responsibilities will include:
  • Supporting Solution Architects (project leaders) throughout Workiva implementations
  • Participate through the full implementation life-cycle:
    • Document requirements to support SA during discovery sessions
    • Implement design proposed by SA with minimal guidance
    • Communicate effectively with internal team to reflect status and flag risks/concerns
    • Work with client throughout build to ensure expectations are being met and the build is reflective of their requirements 
    • Perform Unit Testing on your solutions to validate your configurations
    • Document the build and support the client during the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase

• Effective client communication (i.e. E-Mail, In-Person, Virtual)
  • Articulate technical concepts in layman’s terms, bridging the knowledge gap with clients and their understanding of the technology
  • Address clients’ questions, concerns, and requests in a timely manner o Collaborative team member
  • A strong team player who contributes to team discussions, is flexible in adapting to challenging situations and encourages others
• Practice Support/Development
  • When not fully utilised on projects, supporting other activities such as presales, accelerator/IP development, project methodology documentation and other areas that help to streamline and optimise practice operations

Required Qualifications:

• 0-2 years of relevant consulting, functional finance industry experience or university degree (finance, economics, analytics)
• Strong Excel literacy
• Passion for problem solving, ability to break problems down into multiple options (where appropriate) in a logical, structured way and articulate a recommendation clearly
• Results-oriented, motivated, self-starter with an eagerness to learn new skillsets and embrace ambiguity
• Strong desire to excel and gain exposure to multiple industries while further developing your career
• Ability to collaborate with clients

Preferred / Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in data analysis
• A high-level understanding of accounting and financial statements
• Hands-on functional experience and/or demonstrated proficiency in EPM-related business processes e.g. Finance & Management reporting, FP&A, Consolidation
• Experience with database management and data system design
• Advanced MS Excel and/or SQL skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills (MS Word, MS PowerPoint)