Job Description

Term: Permanent


Working hours: Full-time


Department: Global Finance


Location: London


The firm

Watson Farley & Williams is an international law firm advising on complex disputes and transactions through local knowledge and an integrated international network. We have a strong sector focus, combining our technical excellence with deep industry knowledge across Energy, Transport and associated Infrastructure.


The firm has achieved rapid expansion and year-on-year growth owed almost entirely to a focused strategy, strong leadership and the quality of its people. The next stage in the firm's growth plan is to achieve full-service strength within core sectors across the global platform.


We strive for excellence in all that we do and view investment in our people as key to achieving our business goals and values, which rest on developing deep and long-lasting relationships externally and internally through respect, sharing, communication and integrity.


Our global practice is integrated across our offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America delivering consistently high levels of service across borders and locally through a deep understanding of local business customs and culture.


We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace to attract and retain the most talented people from all backgrounds and cultures. We believe in celebrating difference and that people from any background can rise to the top, ensuring opportunities to develop and progress are available for all.





Role overview

An opportunity has arisen for a junior financial analyst to join the accounting team. The role will assist with the preparation of the monthly management accounts and annual budget. The role will include elements of change as the current systems and processes are developed which will allow for a range of additional opportunities.





Key activities/responsibilities

Management accounting:


Review monthly financial information discovering and documenting variances. Production of a range of journals including monthly accruals, prepayments, inter office and payrolls. Assist in maintaining the chart of accounts and be a key contact for changes. Assist in preparing a worldwide salary database including a mix of salary costs and headcounts. Assist with producing monthly reports for the senior members of the team to distribute to partners, directors and office managers. Assist with any ad hoc queries. Prepare the monthly reconciliations of a range of balance sheet areas including fixed assets, accruals, prepayments, salaries and taxes.

Budgeting:


Assist with building the budget models, gathering and inputting data. Process the final data loads into the accounting system, including rates and general ledger data. Assist with the review process identifying variances and unusual information. Assist with any new developments such as template or system changes.

Financial accounting:


Assist with the annual statutory audit requesting information from other areas of the business. Provide the reconciliations of accruals, prepayments, fixed assets and payrolls and be prepared to be the contact for any queries relating to these.

Other:


Provide recommendations on change and improvements. Assist with any ad hoc projects and developments particularly to the accounting system. Be a key contact to the International finance teams. Assist with the preparation of data for a new global expense management system. Prepare the data required for the annual press releases. Assist with the preparation of a range of benchmarking surveys including PWC and Deloitte. Produce a range of national statistic surveys.


Skills and experience - desired


Excellent Excel skills, knowledge of Power BI and Expert would be preferable. Experience of dealing with senior management. Experience of working through change. Experience in a law firm or professional services environment. Studying for an accounting qualification is desirable but not a requirement.



Benefits

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.





Additional information

The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated.





Equal opportunities

Respect for different backgrounds and perspectives is at the heart of our firm's core values and we recognise the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential. This is a key feature of our Global Code of Conduct, which places diversity and inclusion at the centre of our firm's ways of working.


We believe that exceptional client service can only be delivered by exceptional people. For this reason, we aim to attract, retain and develop the best talent from a wide range of backgrounds. All decisions relating to employment will be objective and based on merit and ability.


We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are as inclusive and barrier-free as possible. This includes making adjustments for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition. If you require adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, we'd encourage you to get in touch with a member of our team who would be happy to discuss options with you.