Financial Accountant (6-month contract)

Withers

Job title: Financial Accountant (6-month contract)

Reporting to: Assistant Financial Controller

Location: London

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced, organised individual to join us on a fixed term contract basis. The role will 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. 

As part of a busy team within the finance function, reporting to Assistant Financial Controllers, this role would suit a good communicator with high levels of interpersonal skills. You will be able to motivate within the 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

• Assisting with production of the annual audited Financial Statements using FRS 102, in respect of Withers LLP 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.
• Inputting into bank covenant reporting calculations.
• Managing the preparation and review of Balance Sheet reconciliations.
• Assisting in the delivery of the annual budget and business plan, including multi-year forecasting.
• Assisting with the month-end close including accounting entries, monthly management accounts and ad hoc cost and revenue reporting.
• Partnering with business services directors in understanding their financials and controlling costs in their areas of responsibility.
• Producing commission statements for fee earning consultants.
• Working closely with the tax team regarding partner related matters, R&D tax credits, transfer pricing and other ad hoc items.
• Supervising the preparation and submission of Payment Practices reports twice a year.
• The review and authorisation of office and client account payments.
• Preparing and reconciling VAT returns.
• Contributing to the Intercompany reconciliation and settlement process.
• Assisting in investigating and clearing any legacy balances.
• Assisting in ensuring the smooth financial integration of current and future overseas operations, liaising with and providing support to our international finance teams as appropriate.
• 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, CIMA) accountant with minimum 2 year PQE.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK GAAP (ideally FRS102).
• Experience working in a law firm or other professional services environment is desirable but not essential.
• Highly PC literate, including strong Excel skills.
• Previous experience with Elite 3E and Xcelerate highly desirable.
• 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.

The Essentials

• 6-month fixed term contract
• 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• Hybrid working policy with a minimum of 2 days per week worked in the office
• Flexible benefits package including pension, private medical, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, on site café.

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 125 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives. As the global private client firm, we are trusted advisors to families, founders, fiduciaries and businesses – and more than this, to governments, charities and financial institutions. We structure, grow and preserve capital. We protect reputations and relationships, ideas and innovations. We secure our clients’ legacies across generations. We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future, and creating solutions to tackle many of the world’s problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice. Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests. To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

We are delighted that we have been awarded Mansfield Certification Plus in relation to our recruitment and leadership progression efforts in the US and UK. This certification is an encouraging milestone as we continue to champion diversity within our organization and in the wider legal sector.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

Information for recruitment agencies

Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withers operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal opportunities employment statement 

It is the policy of Withers 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.