About Gowling WLG

We have more than 1,400 legal professionals working around the world. Our offices span across 19 cities in Canada, the UK, Continental Europe, Asia and the Middle East. There's strength in our global presence, we embrace our differing cultures and work together as one team. We also understand the importance of investing in relationships that build knowledge and trust, while we provide legal advice that's tailored to our clients' world.

'Our people and distinct culture are what makes us different. We know this through client and employee feedback and this drives everything we do'' Chris Oglethorpe, HR Director.

There are great opportunities for all our people to flourish. Through training and personal development they can grow in their role. Our people are the cornerstone of our success, across legal, business support and early talent. We care about their happiness and believe in the power of teamwork.

We want them to feel empowered and recognise that by supporting, respecting and embracing everyone's different contributions we achieve more.

Working flexibly, working fairly

Agile working offers people more freedom and flexibility in where, when, and how they work. As technology advances and our workforce becomes more diverse, and with clients often working to a 24/7 rhythm, having extra flexibility is key to helping us balance work and other commitments sensibly and productively. By supporting people to choose where and when they get their work done, we help them to make a full and fair contribution to their team, while maintaining that all important work-life balance.

Where possible and depending on business needs, we will consider all flexible working options such as part-time working, job sharing, working from home and staggered hours. If in considering a role with Gowling WLG you favour flexibility in your working arrangements, please discuss this with the recruitment team in the early stages of the application process.

Main purpose of role:  To work within the financial reporting team, assisting with the preparation of UK and international office management and financial accounts for both month and the year end audit.  Work with support team directors and to prepare and manage their budgets and forecasts. 

The key responsibilities are:

Month end accounts 

Prepare general ledger journals for UK and International offices

• Preparation balance sheet reconciliations UK and International offices

• Preparation of UK and international office fixed asset registers

• Preparation of UK month end reports for Business Service areas plus commentary

• Maintain business reporting general ledger reports used by the UK support teams to review their detailed transactions and manage their budgets and forecasts

• Attend regular review meetings with UK Finance Manager and Business Services directors

• Prepare and review budgets and forecasts with Business Services directors for each support area’s overheads and salary costs (Cognos used for budgeting and forecasting)

• Preparation of accounting records for other UK entities (i.e. Ingleby Services)

Audit

• Assist with preparation of UK and International office audit working paper files and all supporting documentation for the consolidated group accounts and dealing with any audit queries

Tax

• Preparation of the detailed information for the partnership tax computation and service company corporation tax, including transfer pricing calculations and quarterly payments on account

Business Partner 

• Support UK Finance Manager in working with Business Services teams and directors to raise financial awareness and provide bespoke financial information for each team.

• Identify and deliver relevant, timely and accurate information to all levels within each Business Services area

• Provide management insight including reporting commentary, management presentations & ad hoc reporting as required by the business 

Other

• Ad hoc queries and projects as they arise

Role is full-time, based in Birmingham with possible travel to London if required

Work with the Assistant Financial Accountant who will support the whole of the Group Accounting and Tax team.

Key relationships:

• Internal - Business Services Directors and Managers, Commercial Directors, Finance team

• External - Auditors, tax advisors, consultants/advisors

Budgetary / Financial Responsibilities:  

• Ensuring our financial accounting records are accurate and controls are robust; ensuring budgets and forecasts are as informed as possible with issues escalated as appropriate to Finance Director and Business Services managers

Qualifications

Role specific knowledge:

• Newly Qualified ACA/ACCA with an audit/tax background

• Competent with Microsoft Office (Office 2010 desired but not essential) high level excel user essential

• High level excel user essential

• Practice management system – Aderant Expert (preferable but not essential)

• Budgeting and forecasting system – Cognos (preferable but not essential)

• Financial reporting, strong accounting and tax experience

• Good data analysis skills

• Promote continuous improvement