Job Description
A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with 48 offices in 28 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 an inclusive environment, 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.
Department purpose
Achieving the firm's vision requires a world class Finance department and our teams add value when the information we produce enables great decisions. The team provides high quality advice and relevant, accurate information to the decision makers in A&O, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations and delivering our service efficiently.
Role purpose
As a Group Financial Planning & Analysis Manager, you will provide high quality financial information and insights to internal stakeholders to support decision making. You will also assist in driving the business forward and implementing changes within the global finance function and across the business, and act as a mentor and adviser to the wider global Finance community and be a business partner to management.
Role and responsibilities
Financial Analysis
* Preparation of high quality regular and ad-hoc financial information, critical evaluation and making recommendations suitable for senior management including the Exco and support directors.
* Working with the Finance Heads and Management team to support commercial business decisions. Involves various ad hoc tasks that require the ability to critically assess business questions.
* Analysis/review of management accounts and reporting back to offices, Support Directors and Finance Heads.
* Assisting in preparation and presentation of quarterly and annual results.
Financial Planning
* Ownership of the group forecasting and planning tool - Xcelerate, including planning and delivering ongoing training to the groupwide finance community and participating in system/process upgrade/improvement projects, working independently or taking a leadership role as required. Driving forward and implementing changes, ensuring that projects are delivered on time and to the highest standards to meet business needs.
* Take a leading role in the co-ordination and preparation of the annual budget process at the group level, understanding and challenging business assumptions.
* Building forecasts and complex financial models for business initiatives and financial scenario testing.
* Active involvement in the preparation of business plans. Advising Global CFO's/Finance Managers on preparation using financial models.
Financial Adviser
* Be sought out as a subject matter expert and trusted adviser by our business partners.
* Drive continuous improvement by identifying process improvements to increase the efficiency of working practises within the Firm.
* Build and maintain relationships with business managers, global support functions and finance staff in all offices, in order to stay up to date with business developments and initiatives, to inform meaningful points of view and insights, and to provide financial planning and analysis support to the network.
* Work closely with other members of Group Finance to build a strong team.
* Requires travel to offices within our network.
Key requirements
* Qualified accountant with relevant technical finance/accounting knowledge and skills.
* Experience producing high quality and professional presentations, reports and documentation to meet the needs of the business.
* Strong decision making skills with ability to make independent objective decisions.
* Strong planning and organisation skills with the ability to take control of project work-streams.
* Team player with good communication skills, including the ability to interpret data into clear messages for financial and non-financial stakeholders.
* Self-motivated and solution driven with the ability to work independently and use initiative to deliver solutions.
* High level of IT system skills in respect of planning & forecasting tools.
* Previous business experience in a global organisation or group function is preferred.
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 the value of flexible working and embrace 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.
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