Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Partner Payroll Specialist to join our Partners' Affairs & Tax Team within Finance in our London office on a 12 month contract.

This role with support the Partner Reward Manager on the delivery of the monthly partner and retired partner payrolls including responsibility for and reconciliation of general ledger accounts, foreign exchange, inter-office accounting, and continued development of the PeopleSoft Partner Payroll software.

Role and responsibilities
Responsibility for accurate preparation of the partner and retired partner payrolls

• Arranging the monthly input of data into the Global Partner Payroll System together with the running and reconciling of the monthly reports ready for review prior to finalisation.
• Reviewing and reconciling the post finalisation processes including BACs report, office payment instructions and manual wire transfers.
• Preparation and posting of the monthly payroll journals including shadow partner accounting entries to ensure alignment with the local office records.
• Preparation of partner cash flow projections.
• Involvement in the payroll elements of the annual budgeting process and monthly PAT team cash flows.
• Provision of monthly payroll currency cash flows to the Treasury team.
• Assisting with the management of the Payroll team mailbox ensuring the timely response to partner queries.

Other

• Management and reconciliation of the general ledger accounts including individual partner drawings, current accounts, overseas expense accounts, partner FX accounts and office recharge accounts.
• Management of the partners’ disbursement account process, including monthly reconciliations, accurate collection and clear down of balances, and timely responses to partner queries.
• Supporting the audit process at year-end including liaison with auditors, and production of audit schedules (e.g. drawings schedule).
• Playing a key role in the transition of a new former partner payroll (additional c.80 payments a month) into the team’s processes and developing the current payroll system, where required, to accommodate the new payroll.
• Playing an active part in developing the team’s systems and processes to ensure that systems are up to date with current policies and to improve our overall service to the partners and the firm.
• Providing support to the team during the year-end process including assisting in the preparation of the Partner Current Account Statements and disclosures in the firm’s Annual Report & Financial Statements.
• Providing support to the teams’ management in ad-hoc project work.

Key requirements

• Ideally a qualified/part qualified accountant
• Payroll experience
• Proven ability to provide a high level of client service.
• Strong numeracy and IT skills, including knowledge of Windows, Excel, and Word and the ability to adapt to using unfamiliar software packages.  Particular emphasis is placed on experience of Excel and knowledge or PeopleSoft would be desirable
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Enthusiastic and pro-active
• Professional manner in dealing with partners' personal confidential information
• Ability to assimilate large amounts of information and a strong eye for detail
• Able to work effectively using own initiative and as part of a team
• Strong time management skills, prioritise, evaluate financial information and deliver on urgent requests.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Additional information - External

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.