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.
Department/Role overview
The Management Accountant will work as a key member within the Group Accounting team to ensure the timely and accurate preparation of global management accounts and other management information, with a focus on process improvement ensuring that appropriate controls and reconciliations are in place and maintained.
Main responsibilities
Month end Accounting & Reporting
* Responsible for the review of the UK offices management accounts. Including the review of the accruals and prepayments and the associated balance sheet reconciliations for the UK.
* Responsible for monthly global FX revaluations including preparing commentary for senior management.
* Monthly reconciliation of global cash transfers balance sheet reconciliation ensuring cash transfers are posted correctly and any resulting FX is accounted for accordingly.
* Global review of travel, posting adjustments and accruals where required.
* Ownership of global bad debt process.
* Ownership of global hard disbursement provision process.
Annual Budget
* Provide support where necessary to specific business services function annual budgets.
* Adherence to a global timetable.
Year end audit and statutory reporting responsibilities
* Manage the disbursement provisions process and postings.
* Assist senior management with the year-end debtor certification process including review and analysis of certification process outcome.
* Liaise with the external auditors to ensure timey response to audit queries. Specific areas of responsibility will be UK accruals & prepayments.
* Ownership of specific disclosure notes in the annual consolidated statutory accounts.
Additional
* Provide support to senior management and the business as necessary, including supporting strategic project work.
* Drive process improvement within the Accounting & Reporting team.
* 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 (ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA etc) or working towards an accounting qualification with relevant accounting experience.
* Experience of preparing and reviewing management accounts and balance sheet reconciliations.
* Good understanding of FRS 102 and statutory reporting.
* Highly numerate with a good understanding of financial and management information systems
* 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 in an international and multi-currency business, preferably within the professional services (ideally legal) sector.
* Experience of working with Elite 3e or Cognos TM1 would be an advantage.