Assistant to the International Finance Director (12 month contract)

Job title:  Assistant to the International Finance Director (12 month contract)

Reports to:   International Finance Director

Location:       London

What are we looking for?

Supporting the International Finance Director in a rapidly growing and changing international law firm, this role will require significant involvement in Business Planning, Financial Performance & Reporting and diverse Finance projects.  The role will offer valuable insight into the running of a complex global firm and would be a good grounding for anyone whose ultimate ambition is to become an International Finance Director in the professional services sector.

The ideal candidate will be willing to go the extra mile, joining a team who are dedicated and committed to supporting the firm in its client-focussed work.  We are looking for a candidate who is strong willed – but calm, and who is eager to take responsibility and drive projects forward.  You will be an excellent communicator, inquisitive but discrete, enthusiastic and willing to work with lawyers and support staff at all levels and in differing jurisdictions. 

Areas of focus and responsibilities

• Business Planning/Partnering
  • Act as the first contact for Management-level Finance queries
  • Assist in the Firm’s and the legal practice's (Division's) commercial decision-making, strategy and business planning
  • Assist in the preparation of the annual budget and business plan and forecasts
  • Coordinate the production of lateral partner profitability analyses
  • Assist in the smooth financial integration of future lateral Partner/Team hires
  • Assist in the identification of Team, Division or Partner underperformance (root cause analysis) and modelling potential outcomes of action/inaction
  • Coordinate monthly Finance/Division meetings, ensuring financial reports are circulated in advance. Attend same, document and communicate actions
• Financial Performance and Reporting
  • Coordinate the billing and reporting cycles across the Withers network
  • Provide comprehensive first draft regular Financial commentaries, including the quarterly meeting of the Partnership Board, monthly meeting of the Global Senior Management Team and quarterly update for the Global Credit Committee
  • Coordinate and validate submission of various annual Survey submissions (eg The Lawyer, PWC Survey), analyse output from same and present results to management
• Projects.  Assist in the development and implementation of various Finance projects, including:
  • Pricing Programme
  • Practice Management System implementation
  • Design of centralised control and recording of partner drawings, capital and profit distributions
  • Global review and standardisation of consultancy agreements
  • The development of the department’s global intranet content
• Other
  • Assist the International Finance Director in their role as Compliance Officer for Finance & Administration (COFA), taking all reasonable steps to ensure that the authorised body and its employees comply with any obligation imposed under the SRA Accounts Rules
  • Coordinate the Partner Capital Loan applications
  • Assist with recruitment
  • Liaise closely with the Head of Partnership Tax on regional Partnership tax matters
  • Provide financial analysis and reports as required for ad hoc projects

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.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant is a prerequisite. ACA with audit experience preferable

Technical skills and experience

• Previous experience of working in a Professional Services environment required
• Highly IT literate particularly with excellent Excel and database management experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, i.e. clear, firm and diplomatic, and ability to write comprehensive financial management reports, business plans etc
• Strong commercial aptitude with a modern, pro-active approach
• Ability to effectively manage workload
• Ability to handle queries efficiently with diplomacy and tact
• Proven initiative and independent thought
• Excellent attention to detail together with a methodical and organised approach
• Able to influence and build strong working relationships with internal clients and colleagues in a collaborative and supportive manner
• The energy and enthusiasm to move projects forward
• A hands-on approach to problem solving

The Essentials

• 12 month fixed term contract
• Full time, 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• 12 week probation period
• 12 week notice period
• Flexible benefits package including pension, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, on site café and more

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.