We are recruiting a Financial Compliance Officer to join our Finance team based in our Sheffield office which supports DLA Piper's operations and local finance teams in more than 30 different countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
The Financial Compliance Team is a developing 2nd line function, responsible for five key areas: ensuring a robust financial governance framework is in place in all countries and risks are proactively mitigated; developing and updating financial policies across the international firm and monitoring policy compliance; maintenance, evaluation, and reporting of financial risk registers, fraud governance, and compliance with the Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules.
Regular compliance reviews are undertaken on-site in each country to evaluate high-risk areas and to test controls, processes, and compliance with group policies. The compliance reviews are a monitoring activity for the firm and provide assurance to the Audit Committee over the firm's financial control environment.
This role will support the development of a strong compliance culture throughout the international firm. A key element will be to undertake compliance reviews and other monitoring activities to evaluate the firm's processes and controls and recommend meaningful improvements. The ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with the country finance teams will be critical to being successful in this role.
Key areas of responsibility:
* Helping to develop a financial controls framework for the international firm, and a supporting repository of guidance and training tools designed to enhance the firm's control environment.
* Act as an advocate for the financial compliance function: work closely with Finance teams to raise awareness of financial controls, promote examples of best practice, and provide trusted guidance on financial compliance issues.
* Undertake financial compliance reviews across the international firm: including planning reviews, performing testing, chairing close meetings with senior stakeholders, and formally reporting findings and recommendations for presentation to the Audit Committee.
* Contribute to the development and implementation of supporting processes to effectively monitor and report on the financial compliance landscape across the international firm. Deliver clear, timely, and compelling reporting on all financial compliance findings and drive change in process or controls to mitigate as needed.
* Support in tracking known compliance issues and work closely with local offices and central functions to ensure these are remediated on a timely basis.
* Collaborate effectively with the wider Finance team and other 2nd line functions to develop a unified approach to financial compliance.
* Support compliance with Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules regulatory requirements through the review of existing processes, procedures, and controls, enhancing or implementing changes where required.
* Support the focus and understanding of the firm's financial compliance responsibilities through a rolling programme of training and communication including training for new joiners.
Experience and Characteristics:
* Qualified Accountant (ACA / ACCA or equivalent)
* Ability to regularly travel internationally is essential
* External or internal audit background preferred, or experience in a 2nd line assurance function
* A clear, confident, and concise communicator to stakeholders at all levels of the business
* Ability to engage in open dialogue, provide pragmatic solutions, dealing with conflict as required whilst maintaining good working relationships
* Ability to write succinct and impactful reports
* Analytical with strong Excel skills; experience with Power BI and Tableau is preferred, though not essential
* Initiative and tenacity to investigate areas of concern without just accepting management responses
* High energy with a clear focus on delivery
* Comfortable operating in sometimes ambiguous situations, demonstrating a flexible and collaborative personal working style
The Department
Finance is a highly valued, professional team who act in the Firm's best interests, successfully managing international finance, compliance, and tax obligations. We are globally consistent and accessible, mindful of local requirements, and support our partners, legal and business services professionals to meet our clients' needs.
The group finance team for DLA Piper International is located predominantly in Sheffield, with local finance managers also located across each office in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The accounting, control, and compliance team is one of five key central teams. The others being Partner accounting and Taxation, Commercial Finance, Finance Service Delivery, and Finance Systems. #J-18808-Ljbffr