Senior finance analyst

Senior finance analyst

We are recruiting a senior finance analyst to join our finance department.

About Macfarlanes
We are a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of our clients. Our unrivalled blend of expertise, agility and culture means we have the flexibility to meet their most challenging demands and adapt to the changing world around us. While many of our services can be found at other firms, the mix cannot.

We find, recruit and train talented people from all backgrounds, building careers for the long term, to one day shape and lead the firm. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. Our culture is thoughtful, challenging and supportive, and we are a place where everyone, at whatever level, can thrive. We remain focused on equal treatment in recruitment, retention and promotion.

The team
This is a fantastic opportunity to join our finance team, providing strategic insight and analysis to all areas of the business. The department comprises of 40 with distinct teams covering management accounting, financial control (including cashiers and accounts payable), revenue control and finance systems.

The analyst role supports the provision of a dedicated high quality finance business partnering service, initially across all practice areas and working with other professional service teams across the firm, ensuring quality support whilst also being adaptable to the needs and opportunities of the various practice areas.

The role
The role will work closely with the Chief Financial Officer and the Financial Controller.

Duties will include:

1. Provide a combination of scheduled reporting and analysis as well as ad hoc reporting and financial modelling;
2. Analyse and provide insight into the key issues facing the business which impact performance and profitability, and proactively explore opportunities to improve business performance;
3. Proactively work with practice area heads and partners to assist with the financial understanding and management of their practice. Identifying, analysing, and driving opportunities to help maximise profitability and meet other goals and objectives;
4. Work to enhance the ongoing operational financial support given to the practice areas, partners and fee earners;
5. Assist in the budgeting process through the modelling of revenue trends and resource capacity;
6. Play a key role in the transformation of the Finance department, through process and system re-engineering and work with colleagues to determine reporting requirements;
7. Management of a junior finance analyst.

This job description encompasses the main duties of the role and is by no means exhaustive. It is anticipated that duties may vary from time to time according to the needs of the department.

The candidate
Broadly, we want to recruit a commercial finance business partner who fulfils the following criteria:

Technical skills

1. Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA) or MBA, with two+ years PQE;
2. Previous experience of working in a business partnering or client facing role would be beneficial, ideally in the professional services sector;
3. Analytical and accurate with attention to detail. Advanced level of Excel, with excellent modelling skills, including being able to pick apart financial models and develop new ones.

Contribution and personal effectiveness

1. Flexibility, willingness to be involved beyond the formal job remit, and able to deal with variety of issues as and when they arise;
2. Drives new ways of working to improve efficiency;
3. Promotes a culture of personal growth and continuous improvement.

Client service and communication

1. Effective communication and interpersonal skills - this role involves liaising with colleagues at all levels and articulating financials with clarity to all levels of stakeholders;
2. Prepares clear reports, identifying issues and anticipating questions that might be asked;
3. Challenges clients' thinking to help them achieve their goals where appropriate;
4. Manages relationships including resolving challenging situations that have arisen.

Application screening
Any offer of employment with us is subject to our pre-employment checks which are conducted by a third-party screening provider. These may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, any criminal records and employment references. These checks will be initiated with your consent and your offer will be subject to the successful completion of these checks.

Our commitment to inclusion
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our employees and partners. Improving diversity is one of our key priorities and it is a goal we are actively working towards. We believe that an inclusive, forward-thinking culture is intrinsically important and enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work. We seek to recruit the best candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.

As part of this commitment, we will ask you certain diversity questions. We would really appreciate you and/or your recruiter completing these questions when submitting an application to Macfarlanes as this data enables us to measure our progress towards improving the diversity of our applicants, and ultimately, our hires. This data is anonymised to maintain the privacy of applicants. If you have any questions relating to how this data is used, please contact a member of the recruitment team.

Should you require any adjustments during the application and/or interview process, please do not hesitate to inform your recruiter or a member of the recruitment team. Please note, the job description is available in other accessible formats (for example, large print).

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who best meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please email the recruitment team at recruitment@macfarlanes.com.