Job description

Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. By turning our insight, technology and talent into ground-breaking solutions, we’ve earned a place at the forefront of our industry. Our lawyers are leaders in their field – and the same goes for our support teams. Ambitious, driven and open to fresh perspectives, we find innovative new ways to deliver our services and maintain our reputation for excellence, in all that we do.
 
The nature of law is changing and with that change brings unique opportunities. With our collaborative working culture, flexibility, and a commitment to your progress, we build rewarding careers. By joining our global team, you are supported by colleagues from around the world. If you’re ready for a new challenge, it’s time to seize the opportunity.

Department Purpose and Structure
Deliver relevant information and a value for money service to the decision-makers of Allen & Overy.

Role Purpose

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 a number of key relationships including the firm's management, senior finance management, wider global finance team, and the firm's global accounting network.

Team Manager Responsibilities

• The Belfast Group Reporting team is made up of five group accountants.
• Identify, prioritise and plan team work
• Manage the workload of each group accountant
• Work closely with the Group Financial Controller to co-ordinate tasks across the team to meet the needs of our clients
• Responsibility for the overall team management, including the performance reviews, coaching, mentoring and development of staff.
• Look for team improvement opportunities and instil the Firm's values in the team
• Set standards and expectations for the team
• Set processes and procedures for the Group Reporting team

Role and Responsibilities

• Managing the weekly production of key financial information reports and reporting to management.
• Overseeing the production of detailed month end reports for each practice group and office globally working to a five working day deadline.
• Assisting with month end group consolidation and reporting, managing the delivery and preparation of group management accounts on monthly basis.
• Maintenance and review of month end processes, documentation and controls to ensure month end procedures run smoothly.
• Reconciliation of multi currency GL accounts for global inter-office accounts.
• Managing the preparation of invoices to support cross border charging in accordance with UK and overseas tax requirements in the jurisdictions where A&O operate.
• Monthly review of balance sheet accounts of overseas offices that represent a key risk of misstatement in the financial results.
• Review and development of processes for increased efficiencies and value added tasks for the team and wider finance function.
• Day to day management and development of finance applications, working closely with Finance Systems team and Business Analysts.
• Maintenance & review of pricing & profitability models, involvement in the set up of charge out rates
• Assistance in the group financial year consolidation and close, including producing annual financial accounts for UK subsidiaries and assisting with preparation of group schedules for audit.
• Assist with annual budget process and financial accounting processes at the consolidation level
• Build and maintain relationships with Finance staff in all A&O offices and across departments within the Belfast office. Supporting the Finance network by answering accounting or policy/process questions.

This position is also involves ad-hoc work which needs to be responded to quickly and efficiently. This will often involve new areas of analysis which will require planning and development and will range from one off tasks to project type work.

Key requirements

• Experience at managing a high achieving, motivated team.
• Leadership skills that demonstrate ability to make independent objective decisions.
• Team player with strong communication skills and willingness to collaborate with others to achieve success as a team.
• Self motivated and solution driven.
• Ability to work on their own, therefore taking the initiative and having a desire to get the job done.
• Ability to work under pressure and take a flexible approach to the job, we report to tight deadlines which are mixed with last minute ad-hoc tasks for management - must be able to multi-task and work under pressure with excellent time management skills
• Thorough understanding of financial/management information systems.
• Proven understanding of global structures, currency accounting and financial accounting principles.
• Ability to train other finance department members globally.
• Ability to adapt to and implement change, flexibility to handle multiple priorities simultaneously in an environment with shifting priorities.

Qualifications

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