Group Financial Accountant

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with 48 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.
 
We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work,  helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.
 
Whether you’re helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.
 
What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success

Department purpose and structure 
 

Achieving the firm’s strategy requires a world class Finance department to work with the decision makers.  Our teams add value through the services provided, managing compliance and providing information and insight. This is achieved by having a collaborative and high performing team that builds relationships with the Partners and other decision-makers in the firm so that they trust us to advise them on commercial, financial, and technical matters.

Role purpose 
 

To provide high quality financial information to be used internally and externally. To assist in driving the business forward and implementing changes within the global finance function and across the business as relevant. To implement and uphold best practice and standards across the finance function by acting as an adviser to the global function. 

Key Relationships 
 

The role has several key relationships including the firm’s management, senior finance management, wider global finance team, and the firm’s global accounting network. 

Roles and responsibilities 
 

Management and financial accounting 

• Production of weekly key financial information reports for the management team. 

• Working as part of a team to deliver month-end group consolidation and reporting to a five working day deadline, including: 

Preparation of inter-company invoices to support cross border transactions in accordance with UK and overseas tax requirements in the jurisdictions where A&O Shearman operate. 

Reconciliation of critical balances, including multi-currency GL accounts for global inter-office accounts. 

Monthly accounting checks on balance sheet accounts of overseas offices that represent key risk of misstatement of financial results. 

Production of month-end reports for the Group and each practice group and office globally. 

Maintenance of month-end processes and procedures to ensure smooth and timely operation. 

• Take ownership  of sections of the group financial year consolidation and close, including production relevant notes and disclosures in both the Group and subsidiary accounts. 

• Draft technical accounting papers as and when required  

• Assess the impact of new/changes in accounting standards to the Group and train the wider global offices on the impacts. 

• Build and maintain relationships with Finance staff in all A&O Shearman offices and across departments within the Belfast office. Support the Finance network by answering accounting or policy/process questions and act as an adviser on technical accounting issues; being able to debate and rationalise technical points and decisions. 

• Analytical review of monthly office results to understand trends, significant transactions and identify errors. 

• Preparation of high quality regular and ad hoc financial information, applying critical evaluation and making recommendations suitable for senior management including the Board and Audit Committee. 

• Assist in the management of cross-border intra-group balances and funding on a multi-currency basis, in accordance with UK and overseas tax requirements  

Process improvements and Controls 

• Review and development of processes for increased efficiencies and value added tasks for the team and wider finance function. 

• Participate in system/process upgrade projects, including testing, training and documentation. 

• Assist in improving the control environment of the Group, reviewing and updating sections of the Group accounting policies and procedures from time to time. 

• Review and improve the internal controls across the Group, implementing changes as appropriate. 

Ad hoc and project work 

• This position also involves ad-hoc work which needs to be responded to quickly and efficiently. This will often involve new areas of analysis which will require planning and development and will range from one off tasks to project type work. 

Key requirements 
 

• Team player with strong communication skills and willingness to collaborate with others to achieve success as a team. 

• Self-motivated and solution driven. Ability to work on their own, therefore taking initiative and having a desire to get the job done. 

• Ability to work under pressure and take a flexible approach to the job. We report to tight deadlines which are mixed with last minute ad-hoc tasks for management. Must have excellent time management skills and be able to prioritise and handle multiple tasks simultaneously in an environment with shifting priorities. 

• Strong IFRS knowledge and the ability to discuss technical accounting issues with senior group management. 

• Thorough understanding of financial/management information systems and group structures. 

• Ability to train other finance department members globally. 

Qualifications and experience 
 

• Member of recognised accounting body as a qualified accountant with at least 2 years post qualification experience. 

• Experience in a finance function in an international environment an advantage. 
 

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.  
 
We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
 
We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.