Group Financial Accountant

We have an exciting opportunity for a Group Financial Accountant to join our Finance team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast office.

Finance team - Belfast

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.

What you will do

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.

Role and responsibilities

• Production of weekly key financial information reports and month-end group consolidation and reporting to a five working day deadline, including oversight of the preparation of intercompany invoices, reconciliation of critical multi-currency balances, balance sheet reviews of overseas offices, and group and practice group reporting. Production of information and control reports for the management team.
• Ownership of sections of the group financial year consolidation and close, including production of relevant notes and disclosures in both the Group and subsidiary accounts and reconciliation of the Group's intercompany balances.
• Preparation of high quality regular and ad hoc financial information, applying critical evaluation and making recommendations suitable for senior management, the Board, and the Audit Committee, including analytical review of monthly office results to understand trends, significant transactions, and identify errors.
• Drafting of technical accounting papers and assessment of the impact of new or changing accounting standards on the Group, including training wider global offices on the impacts.
• Building and maintaining relationships with Finance staff across all A&O Shearman offices, acting as a trusted adviser on technical accounting and intercompany issues, supporting the Finance network on accounting, policy, and process queries, and corresponding with Finance staff across the network on matters relating to intercompany accounts and related documentation.
• Management of cross-border intra-group balances and funding on a multi-currency basis, in accordance with UK and overseas tax requirements, including preparation and review of intercompany settlements, reconciliation of intercompany accounts, and review of intercompany balances office by office to ensure regular settlement in line with the regulatory and cash requirements of each office.
• Maintenance of a catalogue of documentation to support intercompany transactions across the global group, including review and upkeep of policy and procedure documents explaining intercompany documentation requirements for each jurisdiction within the Group.
• Review and development of processes, systems, and internal controls across the Group, including participation in system and process upgrade projects, maintenance of Group accounting policies and procedures, and ensuring sufficient controls are implemented and operating effectively to maintain accurate records. Review of reporting requirements of offices and support for the development of reports from the finance system.
• Ad hoc and project work as required, responding quickly and efficiently to new areas of analysis ranging from one-off tasks to longer-term projects.

What you will have

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial and technical issues clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders. Ability to influence at the highest level as a credible subject-matter expert, adjusting style to suit individual circumstances and demonstrating high levels of emotional intelligence.
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to develop meaningful and well-reasoned points of view. Self-motivated and solution-driven, with the capacity to work independently, use initiative and deliver work to a high standard.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and the ability to discuss technical accounting issues with senior group management. Thorough understanding of financial accounting principles, currency accounting, and financial and management information systems and reporting. Familiarity with group structures and their impact on financial reporting.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to work under pressure and take a flexible approach to meet tight reporting deadlines. Able to prioritise and handle multiple tasks simultaneously in an environment with shifting priorities and ad-hoc requests from management.
• Ability to prepare high-quality documentation, reports and training materials. Able to train, mentor and support other finance department members on a global basis.

Qualifications and experience

• Member of recognised accounting body as a qualified accountant
• Experience in a finance function in an international environment an advantage

What we can offer you

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 GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

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.

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.