Business Consulting Associate

Description

The Business Consulting Associate analyzes corporate financial information and integrates the business planning philosophy and biblical principles upon which the company serves its clients into customized plans to help clients achieve their goals. This position includes the opportunity for career progression in the Business Consulting Division through learning and developing technical business planning expertise.

Requirements

Principal Accountabilities:

1. Supports Business Consulting Division in meeting the growing demand for business consulting advisory services among the Company’s Field offices and direct client relationships. Advisory services include strategic growth planning, generational wealth transfer, comprehensive succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, business valuation review, corporate capital structure and charitable strategies, and other services as client needs warrant.

• Provides both direct and indirect support delivering business consulting services to division and firm financial advisors (FAs) and their clients to add capacity to the Business Consulting Division.
• Develops high quality, accurate, attractive, and professional reports and presentations.
• Develops complex financial models that forecast projections and rate of return metrics based on company, industry, and macro-economic conditions.
• Analyzes industry and transactional databases to evaluate clients’ market positions and corporate valuations
• Assists with client meetings, records meeting notes, follows up regarding meetings, and responds to client and outside advisor inquires.
• Respects the FA/client relationship as pre-eminent, includes FAs in all client communications, and aids in building credibility and increasing clients’ appreciation for the divisions and the company’s value proposition.
• Serves FAs and their clients with excellence, responding in a timely manner to FA/client inquiries, communicating proactively and exhibiting professionalism in all FA/client interactions.
• Seeks to continually increase knowledge of the financial planning philosophy and biblical principles upon which Blue Trust serves its client base through learning associated scripture memory verses to integrate the firm’s philosophy into client counsel and services.
• Leverages internal specialist resources, as needed, to ensure client needs are met.
• Leverages third-party resources, as required and with FA approval, to ensure client needs are met.

2. Educating & Equipping FAs – Develops business consulting training materials for FAs in partnership with team and collaborates on ongoing FA education efforts. Supports FAs in client/prospect marketing efforts.

• Partners with team to develop internal training materials for FAs, including written materials and web-based training modules (podcasts, webinars, “classroom” training, etc.).
• Supports FAs in their annual business development planning, evaluating business consulting opportunities with existing client relationships and within FAs’ local communities and centers of influence.
• Assists FAs in preparation for client/prospect meetings where business consulting opportunities exist.
• Assists FAs in drafting engagement letters and fee quoting as business consulting opportunities arise.
• Keeps current with industry trends affecting the business consulting services space and communicates relevant trends to FAs.

3. Enhancing Company Offering – Increases quality of Blue Trust’s business consulting offering through maintaining compelling business development materials and developing targeted relationships with selected third-party resource providers.

• Assists in development and continuous improvement of Company marketing materials for business consulting services.
• Evaluates and incorporates, where applicable, best practices among third-party business consulting services providers.
• Develops and leverages relationships with third-party resource providers, including legal, investment banking, private equity, business valuation, leadership development, and family counseling advisors, among others.
• Develops strategic relationships with targeted centers of influence within the business consulting services industry to reinforce the Company brand and increase the Company’s overall visibility.

4. Compliance – Recognizes and adheres to all Company Human Resources and Compliance policies and procedures, including but not limited to Company Code of Ethics, Insider Trading Policies, Securities Reporting/Disclosure requirements, and Client Communications & Recordkeeping policies to mitigate risk to the Company.

• Maintains the highest Compliance standards by adhering to the company's Human Resources guidelines, Compliance policies and procedures, professional designation standards, and industry's regulatory standards to mitigate risk to the Company.

5. Corporate Culture / Core Values – Embraces Company’s Core Values and serves as a positive role model for the organization, exhibiting a high level of integrity, professional maturity, and sincerity, as well as a genuine desire to serve.

• Approaches work, interactions, and relationships in a manner consistent with Company’s Core Values.
• Handles confidential information with professionalism and maturity, maintaining appropriate boundaries with peers.
• Views "problems" as an opportunity to problem-solve.
• Embraces opportunities to build relationships.
• Sincerely values people.
• Communicates effectively, understanding the perspective of others.
• Strives to understand and maintain a "big picture" perspective.

6. Other – Performs all other related duties as assigned or directed by management.

Qualifications:

• Exhibits technical knowledge and competency in the interpretation of business financial statements.
• Demonstrates computer literacy and ability to leverage specialized division tools/programs designed for business owners.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to make independent judgments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence serving high net worth clientele.
• Team player.
• Ability to delegate/leverage resources.

Education, Experience & Skills:

• Minimum 3-5 years’ prior business consulting, accounting, financial services, and/or investment banking experience is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Management, Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required.
• Up to 20% travel required.