Job Description

Location: Belfast
Workplace: Hybrid
The opportunity:
The Senior Management Accountant will provide In-Market Record-to-Report (R2R) expertise, be responsible for management reporting, ensure financial integrity of local accounting records, and facilitate In-Market financial support to Lawyers and Business Professionals.
Main responsibilities:

• Coordinate reporting and analysis of local Firm financial results
• Periodic follow-up of the financial performance of the different units (practice groups and business service units)
• Analysis of key metrics and levers to manage and improve performance
• Assist preparation of follow-ups and financial communications with key stakeholders
• Provide detailed analysis and information needed to explain and drive financial initiatives and priorities
• Coordinate and manage the execution of finance-related projects and initiatives, including preparation of the London office budget and forecasts, primarily focusing on the Firm's cost base
• Support Business Professionals' function's initiatives and help ensure they are implemented in alignment with strategy and guidelines set by Specialist Functions and Global Process Owners
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvements within the financial operations
• Provide analysis for the calculation of annual associate bonuses
• Ensure the integrity of the financial transactions of all London entities and liaise with the service centres regarding standard monthly and recode journals
• Provide financial support to lawyers and business services, actively collaborating with them to increase profitability by managing the cost base
• Provide support to budget holders on the treatment of capital costs
• Liaise with Global Accounting to obtain support for Interfirm transactions
• Train users on GL coding and narratives to be used on expense forms
• Maintain the Cost Centre Approver table and liaise with P2P to update the PO Agent Table
• Assist the statutory team with the preparation of the statutory accounts of the London entities in compliance with FRS102 as required and with the external audit of those accounts
• Review employee expenses to identify benefits to be paid and liaise with the Senior Payroll Manager, and provide further support to the Senior Payroll Manager to cover absences
• Completion of periodic surveys on the Firm's performance

Skills and experience:

• A bachelor's degree is desirable
• Qualified with an appropriate recognized accounting body
• Significant relevant Finance experience
• Experience in a global professional services organization is a plus
• Proven ability to influence, interact and consult with senior leaders regarding finance processes, guidelines and compliance
• Working proficiency in using MS Office and other Productivity Tools; SAP experience is desirable
• Strong in project management and systemic thinking
• Able to network and collaborate with teams both regional and global, while acknowledging their cultural, social and academic diversity

Working at Baker McKenzie:
Baker McKenzie is the world's leading law firm with offices all over the world. Our Belfast Centre is home to over 400 colleagues in both legal and professional services.
We offer one of the best workplace benefits packages in the business with comprehensive private health cover, income protection, life assurance and a full employee assistance plan. These and a host of other benefits make us one of the most desirable companies to work for in Belfast.
We are committed to promoting inclusion, diversity, and equity for all and are confident we can provide a career as individual and as exceptional as you.

Skills Required