The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will work to promote competition for the benefit of consumers, both within and outside the UK. Our aim will be to make markets work well for consumers, businesses and the economy.
ROLE PURPOSE
To provide support to teams working on Competition Act, market studies and mergers investigations through the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of high quality financial information. Ensuring that the OFTs work stands up to rigorous external scrutiny, while gearing up for integration with the CCs Financial and Business Analysis team as part of the CMA.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
As a member of the Financial Analysis team in the OFT, and later as part of Financial and Business Analysis in the CMA, the Financial Analyst can provide expert advice in the areas of Competition Act cases, such as abuse of dominant position, market studies and market investigations, and initial and second phase reviews of mergers. The main responsibilities of this role will be:
Data collection: Identifying and clearly articulating information requirements; determining data requirements to test developed theories of harm and drafting formal information requests; meeting with parties to improve understanding of submissions; critical review of data provided.
Data analysis: identifying appropriate analytical tools, recognising the variety of performance measures in different business areas. Using information provided to produce clear advice for OFT decision-makers on what the data shows, and drafting relevant sections of external publications where appropriate.
Communicating analysis: Providing informative and explanatory presentations and working papers to share understanding with teams and explain issues ranging from predation cost tests to explaining business processes, assessing profitability or designing remedies. Developing and clearly presenting conclusions to a variety of audiences. Drafting analysis and conclusions in decisions when required.
Quality Assurance: ensuring that analysis is appropriate and accurate through review and development of audit trails, including review of work by colleagues.
Understanding markets: Developing insights into how markets function and how referred parties fit into the market
Team working: Working as a proactive member of the team and influencing on a broad range of issues that encompass financial analysis, including attending case team meetings and maintaining regular communication with case team members.
Training others: devising and delivering training on use of financial information
External research: On occasions, commissioning research from external economic consultants or academics, and taking responsibility for managing the delivery and assuring the quality of the research.
MINIMUM CRITERIA
2.1 honours bachelors degree (or international equivalent), in a numerate subject, and a postgraduate accounting qualification (e.g. ACA, CIMA, CFA) or MBA; familiar with economics and financial theory and related analysis.
Relevant analytical and interpretive experience and how it has been applied, including application of accounting principles and evidence of how your analytical experience might be applicable to the competition and enforcement work of the CMA
Evidence of communicating complex issues to a variety of audiences, in writing and verbally, with examples which demonstrate experience of influencing based on sound analytical judgements, particularly if related to competition enforcement
Experience of providing relevant knowledge and understanding of business models, for example how financial performance is measured in different industries, and your insights into practical issues that can arise. Include evidence of your accounting knowledge and numeracy
