About the firm
This fast-growing, international law firm has a strong global presence and reputation for providing an excellent service to an impressive list of domestic and international clients. With over 500 lawyers worldwide, they advise clients on legal issues facing businesses in all aspects of international commerce.
The Department
The Finance Department is comprised of approximately 60 staff (30 in London) in 20 offices. The London Head Office team is responsible for the day-to-day accounting and finance function for the London office, as well as FP&A and Treasury management across the firm. The group is also responsible for statutory financial reporting, financial oversight of the international offices, training of finance staff and setting policies and procedures for best practice financial management.
The Role
Due to expansion, they are looking for an Assistant Group Accountant to support the head office team in London in reviewing and overseeing the general ledger and associated reporting submissions of their international offices.
Who they are looking for and what you’ll be doing
Ideally you will have begun the process of studying for the ACCA accounting qualification and have experience of working within a Law Firm or professional services. Elite 3E Practice Management System experience or equivalent an advantage.
Key Responsibilities
- Assisting the Group Finance Manager in working closely with International Office Finance Managers and FP&A team colleagues to ensure consistent application of accounting policies and practices across the firm and adherence to firm guidelines.
- Responsible for overseeing monthly management accounts submissions by all offices.
- Reviewing office p&ls and office balance sheet composition and reconciliation schedules, following up with offices where questions arise.
- Assisting the Group Finance Manager in respect of monthly bank reconciliation reviews.
- Ensuring consistency of posting treatment in the General Ledger throughout the firm to enable meaningful firm-wide comparison by p&l and balance sheet categorisations.
- The role may include international travel to other offices if cover is required. This could include monthly management accounts postings to general ledger and preparation of month-end accounts.
- Assist the Group Finance Manager in the review of budgeted overheads during the annual budget process and co-ordinate required amendments in Cognos TM1 with International Office Finance Managers.
- Ensuring costs to be recharged from London to international offices are correctly included in the budget model and communicated accordingly.
- Hands-on entry of budget information during the annual budget process where required.
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the firm's Cognos TM1 budgeting and fixed asset register tool in order to provide assistance to International Finance Managers where required.
- Working with internal audit where their fieldwork identifies areas of weakness that could be addressed via improved controls and practices at an operational level, and helping to implement such improvements where it is appropriate for these be driven by the FP&A Team.
- Assisting with the co-ordination and delivery of information requested by the firm's external auditors during their fieldwork.
- Assisting the Group Finance Manager to proactively establish potential improvements to financial processes and policies through review, investigation and proposal of practical solutions.
- Providing general ledger ad hoc reporting and analysis at the request of senior finance personnel and any other ad hoc duties as required.
Application for study sponsorship may be submitted after successful completion of six-month probationary period.