Group Financial Accountant (12 month FTC)

We are currently recruiting for a Group Financial Accountant to join our Finance team in London.

Department purpose

Achieving the firm's vision requires a world class Finance department and the Global Financial Control team adds value when the information we produce enables exceptional decision making. The team provides high quality advice and relevant, accurate information to key decision makers in A&O Shearman, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations and delivering our service efficiently.

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.

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.

Role and responsibilities

This is a one-year contract role to support the Group Finance Teams on areas that will include the scope outlined below. The scope has been adjusted to include work arising out of our recent merger and related activities.

Ad hoc and project and merger 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


• Assist with mid-year audit activities relating to the merged firm


• Carry out control and accounting reviews for the merged firm books


• Adhoc analysis on financial data


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.


• Participate in technical accounting topics.


• 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.


• 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

• Assist with the development of processes for increased efficiencies.


• Prepare with training materials.


• Assist in improving the control environment of the Group.


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


• Member of recognised accounting body as a qualified accountant.


• Experience in a finance function in an international environment an advantage.
  
  A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 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., A&O Shearman is global industry-leading law firm with 48 offices in 29 countries. We are a partner and trusted advisor to some of the world's most sophisticated companies, governments and financial institutions. With the combined strengths of our legacy firms, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, we offer unmatched global breadth and depth, a forward-thinking perspective on the future and a one-firm culture of excellence to achieve unparallelled outcomes for our clients and for each other.

We're at the start of an exciting journey, and this offers exceptional opportunities for our people. Whether you're helping clients solve their most 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 - whether you're starting out, or taking the next step in your career.

We work to attract and retain the very best people - and we support them to build their future with us. As part of our high-performance culture, we have high expectations of one another in everything we do. We foster a working environment based on collaboration and mutual respect, where everyone is trusted to do their very best work in the way they see fit, to a standard we all share.

With us, you will constantly be learning and growing. We invest in you by offering exceptional professional and personal development - providing training, mentoring and practical support. And we nurture an environment and ways of working that promote positive wellbeing.

We have a powerful commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Your unique perspective, attributes and experiences are valued here and we invite you to bring your whole self to work.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best, we ask for the best of you, and we support you to achieve your potential. And together we excel.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embraces 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.