Location: Belfast
Workplace: Hybrid
The opportunity:
The Senior Management Accountant will provide In-Market Record-to-Report (R2R) expertise, be responsible for management reporting, ensure financial integrity of local accounting records, and facilitate In-Market financial support to Lawyers and Business Professionals.
Main responsibilities:
1. Coordinate reporting and analysis of local Firm financial results
2. Periodic follow-up of the financial performance of the different units (practice groups and business service units)
3. Analysis of key metrics and levers to manage and improve performance
4. Assist preparation of follow-ups and financial communications with key stakeholders
5. Provide detailed analysis and information needed to explain and drive financial initiatives and priorities
6. Coordinate and manage the execution of finance-related projects and initiatives, including preparation of the London office budget and forecasts, primarily focusing on the Firm's cost base
7. Support Business Professionals’ function’s initiatives and help ensure they are implemented in alignment with strategy and guidelines set by Specialist Functions and Global Process Owners
8. Identify opportunities for continuous improvements within the financial operations
9. Provide analysis for the calculation of annual associate bonuses
10. Ensure the integrity of the financial transactions of all London entities and liaise with the service centres regarding standard monthly and recode journals
11. Provide financial support to lawyers and business services, actively collaborating with them to increase profitability by managing the cost base
12. Provide support to budget holders on the treatment of capital costs
13. Liaise with Global Accounting to obtain support for Interfirm transactions
14. Train users on GL coding and narratives to be used on expense forms
15. Maintain the Cost Centre Approver table and liaise with P2P to update the PO Agent Table
16. Assist the statutory team with the preparation of the statutory accounts of the London entities in compliance with FRS102 as required and with the external audit of those accounts
17. Review employee expenses to identify benefits to be paid and liaise with the Senior Payroll Manager, and provide further support to the Senior Payroll Manager to cover absences
18. Completion of periodic surveys on the Firm's performance
Skills and experience:
19. A bachelor’s degree is desirable
20. Qualified with an appropriate recognized accounting body
21. Significant relevant Finance experience
22. Experience in a global professional services organization is a plus
23. Proven ability to influence, interact and consult with senior leaders regarding finance processes, guidelines and compliance
24. Working proficiency in using MS Office and other Productivity Tools; SAP experience is desirable
25. Strong in project management and systemic thinking
26. Able to network and collaborate with teams both regional and global, while acknowledging their cultural, social and academic diversity
Working at Baker McKenzie:
Baker McKenzie is the world’s leading law firm with offices all over the world. Our Belfast Centre is home to over 400 colleagues in both legal and professional services.
We offer one of the best workplace benefits packages in the business with comprehensive private health cover, income protection, life assurance and a full employee assistance plan. These and a host of other benefits make us one of the most desirable companies to work for in Belfast.
We are committed to promoting inclusion, diversity, and equity for all and are confident we can provide a career as individual and as exceptional as you.