Our client is an award-winning international law firm with offices in Europe, US, and Asia. Their world-wide headcount stands at 700 staff. The firm’s client base is a mixture of corporate clients and high net worth individuals and families.
They are looking for an enthusiastic and capable Financial Controller. The Financial Controller (FC) is a key role in our Finance management team, supporting the Firm’s senior management and legal divisions and overseeing the financial accounting function.
Responsibilities
- Day-to-day managerial responsibility of the London finance team including their recruitment, training, development, goal-setting and performance measurement.
- Support the finance functions in overseas offices in Europe, liaising as appropriate with the APAC and US finance teams.
- Administration and control of the global banking facilities (revolving credit facilities, overseas office funding requirements and the preparation and submission to our bank of monthly management information and quarterly covenant information) and cash flow management, including forecasts and monthly FX Swaps.
- Assist in the Firm’s commercial decision-making, strategy and business planning.
- Ensure all regulatory and compliance requirements are met in line with the Solicitors Accounts Rules, including review of static client balances.
- Assist in the preparation of the annual budget and of forecasts during the financial year.
- Review of Europe bank reconciliations.
- Oversee the reconciliation and maintenance of partner reserves within the general ledger (profit, drawings, and capital accounts), including the payment of monthly drawings and quarterly distributions.
- Liaise closely with the Tax team on Partnership matters.
- Oversee the reconciliation of various general ledger control accounts.
- Oversee the preparation of quarterly commission calculations in respect of consultancy agreements.
- Review of the monthly UK payroll (and others as required) with a view to authorisation and ensure control over salaries and deductions.
- Oversee the SAR and LLP audits.
- Assist in the management and development of current systems used to support the accounting needs and financial reporting function on a day-to-day basis.
- Oversee the preparation and reconciliation of VAT returns.
- Ensure the smooth financial integration of current and future overseas operations.
- Liaison with external suppliers i.e. banks, reporting accountants, landlord etc.
- Contribute to the development of the department’s intranet content.
- Oversee new employee and trainee inductions.
- Develop content and deliver Finance training to fee earners and partners in conjunction with an external trainer.
- Review of reports circulated to the EU Credit Committee and chairing the monthly meetings with the Regional Divisional Leaders and Revenue Control Manager.
- Review of the EU monthly management profit and loss account and variance analysis.
- Review of payment practice reports, filed at Companies House biannually.
- New partner inductions.
- Review of partner leaving statements.
- Ad hoc projects and reports as required.
Candidate Profile
- Professionally qualified (ACA, ACCA) accountant with minimum 5 years’ PQE.
- Experience in the legal or professional services sector and working in an international environment.
- Proven experience in a management position with strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate a team.
- Knowledge of UK GAAP/Reporting Standards and SAR.
- Experience of working in an international and multi-currency business.
- Highly PC literate.
- Interpersonal skills
- A high level of commercial acumen and numerical reasoning skills.
- Excellent people management skills and a team working ethos.
- Ability to win the confidence and respect of Partners.
Important Notice
It is Career Legal’s policy, as a matter of courtesy, to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to respond to individual candidates. If we have not contacted, you within three working days your application has been unsuccessful, and your details have not been retained. Please apply for any other position that you may see in the future. Thank you.
Career Legal is a Recruitment Agency and is advertising this vacancy on behalf of one of its clients.
