Job title: Senior Financial Accountant
Reporting to: Assistant Financial Controller
What are we looking for?
We are looking for an experienced, organised individual to assist in the development of the London Finance team in order to create a commercially focussed, value-adding department, whilst maintaining and improving a strong control environment.
Supervising a team of two Financial Accountants and reporting to the Assistant Financial Controller, this role would suit a good communicator with high levels of interpersonal skills. You will be able to motivate the Financial Accounting team, and inspire confidence within the Firm. You must be organised and accurate, and have the ability to deal with a high volume of work, meeting deadlines under pressure.
Areas of focus and responsibilities
- Production of the annual audited Financial Statements using FRS 102, in respect of the Withers LLP, Withers Professional Services Limited and other related entities.
- Working closely with the audit team and liaising with the accountants in the Group offices to ensure that the audit completes efficiently.
- Preparation of the annual budget and business plan using Thompson Reuters software.
- Preparation of the monthly profit and loss account, together with supporting commentary of key cost variances.
- Reconciliation and maintenance of EU partner ledgers within the Elite general ledger (profit, drawings, tax reserves).
- Preparation of a global annual partner compensation model.
- Preparation of EU/APAC quarterly distribution schedules and overseeing the payment to partners, circulation of reconciliations etc.
- Preparation of EU partner leaving statements.
- Annual preparation of forecast cash flows for EU partners drawings and distributions.
- Preparation of partner related data for inclusion in annual surveys.
- Working closely with the tax team, especially regarding partner related matters. Also re R&D tax credits, transfer pricing etc.
- Managing the distribution of "Responsible Party" reports each month and the review of the Balance Sheet reconciliations received.
- Supervising the preparation and submission of Payment Practices reports twice a year for Withers LLP and Withers Professional Services Limited.
- Overseeing the day-to-day running and development of the expense management system – Chrome River.
- Review and authorisation of office and client account payments.
- Managing the preparation and reconciliation of VAT returns and EU Sales list submissions.
- Intercompany reconciliation project to reconcile old historic balances.
- Project to clean up Elite balances relating to closed offices, in advance of the move to 3E.
- Involvement on the 3E project on discreet areas such as the Intercompany module (ICB).
- Assisting in ensuring the smooth financial integration of current and future overseas operations.
- Assisting in the development of the department's intranet content, including policies and procedures.
- Ad hoc projects and reports as required.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.
Skills and attributes
- Professionally qualified (ACA, ACCA) accountant with minimum 3 year PQE.
- Knowledge of UK GAAP (ideally FRS102).
- Highly PC literate, especially Excel.
- Previous experience with Elite Enterprise and/or Elite 3E, including 3E Budgeting and Forecasting (previously named Xcelerate) highly desirable.
- Experience of SAP BPC and Chrome River advantageous.
- Commercial aptitude with a modern, pro-active approach.
- Excellent communicator and manager with high levels of interpersonal skills and the ability to lead & inspire others.
- Ability to inspire confidence throughout the firm.
- The energy and enthusiasm to manage new initiatives, challenge the norm and strive towards excellence and innovation.
- Organised and accurate - paying attention to detail.
- The ability to deliver a complete solution.
- A flexible approach to work with the ability to use your initiative and be self-sufficient.
- An organised approach to work which allows you to manage conflicting deadlines and priorities.
- Ability to deal with a high volume of work and work well under pressure.
- Able to take command of individual projects, with full support from senior managers.
- Excellent knowledge and experience of Excel and Word.
The Essentials
- 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
- 12 week probation period
- 12 week notice period
- Flexible benefits package including pension, private medical, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, on site café.
About Withers Worldwide
Withersworldwide has been acting for successful individuals, families and institutions for over 100 years. We advise clients on the full range of their business, personal and philanthropic legal needs, both at home and abroad. With offices in the key financial centres of Europe, Asia-Pacific, the United States and the Caribbean, we provide coverage and services that other law firms focussed on the needs of the individual cannot. We have represented 70% of the Top 100 in The Sunday Times Rich List, 25% of the Forbes 400 List, 35% of the Hong Kong Forbes Rich List, and 35% of Forbes Asia's Richest Families list.
Equal Opportunities Employment Statement
It is the policy of Withers Worldwide to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion. Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.
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