About Ashurst

Ashurst is a leading progressive global law firm with a rich history spanning more than 200 years. We are proud of our history and are future-focused, having expanded into new technologies through our NewLaw division, Ashurst Advance, and our consulting arm. Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing excellent standards of service have seen us become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments in all areas of commercial law. To find out more please visit www.ashurst.com.

Department/Role overview

The Financial Reporting Accountant will work as a key member within the Group Accounting team to ensure the timely and accurate preparation of the firms statutory accounts and other monthly management information, with a focus on process improvement and ensuring that appropriate controls and reconciliations are in place and maintained.

The role will play a key part in the engagement with the auditors and in ensuring that a successful year end process is achieved, along with the preparation and maintenance of the monthly cash flow forecast.

Main responsibilities

Month end Reporting

• Prepare and maintain cash flow forecasts, analyse actual cash flow data, and provide insightful commentary on variances.
• Manage the accounting for Intangible and Tangible fixed assets, including preparing month end journals, maintaining and reviewing monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• A key contributor of the monthly/annual closing and consolidation process. Identify ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the consolidation and external financial reporting to drive process improvement initiatives.
• Work closing with the Senior Group Accounting Manager to ensure quality, accuracy and consistency of the financial data reported in the general ledger and consolidation system, including the reconciliation of different GL books within 3e.

Year end audit and statutory reporting responsibilities

• Manage the consolidation of the group and subsidiary financial statements, including ownership of specific disclosure notes and maintaining the consolidation working papers.
• Producing financial statements for the UK subsidiary entities, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and legal requirements.
• Coordinate with the external auditors throughout the annual audit fieldwork process, to ensure timely responses to audit queries and that deadlines are met
• Ensure compliance with FRS 102 across the global firm, which includes producing and maintaining global accounting policy documentation.
• Supporting other locations statutory processes.

Additional

• Drive process improvement within the Accounting & Reporting team.
• Undertake adhoc analysis of accounts and other financial information.
• Provide support to senior management and the business as necessary, including supporting strategic project work.
• Regular review of the risk assessments and the appropriateness of the mitigating controls in place.
• Risk and Control: Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with our regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Essential skills
and experience

• Accounting qualification essential (ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA etc)
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience - with an audit background preferred
• A good technical understanding of FRS 102 and IFRS.
• Experience of working in an international and multi-currency business, preferably within the professional services (ideally legal) sector.
• Highly numerate with experience of Group consolidations in an international environment.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills, ability to manipulate and make sense of large volumes of data.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, orally or in writing with all levels of stakeholders and staff.
• Excellent delivery skills with a clear track record that demonstrates this.
• Flexible, with the ability to work to tight deadlines and manage competing priorities.
• Experience of working with Elite 3e or Cognos TM1 would be an advantage.

Background checks

In order to comply with regulatory and client requirements, Ashurst will undertake appropriate vetting of staff. When applicants accept a job offer, Ashurst, alongside a specialist provider, will undertake professional verification and background checks. These checks are only undertaken with consent, and in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations.