Finance Manager

Finance Manager (Maternity Leave Cover - 13 to 15 month contract) As a senior member of the finance management team you will be leading a team of five direct reports and liaising closely with other senior management and partners. About the opportunity As the Finance Manager you will have responsibility for: Financial Reporting • Maintaining the integrity of financial information in compliance with relevant legislation and internal accounting policies • Coordinating and overseeing of the month end accounts timetable • Managing the preparation of monthly management accounts to strict reporting deadlines • Ongoing development of the month-end close process to drive efficiencies and meet the changing needs of the business • Leading the preparation of the annual budgeting process • Reviewing of variance analysis against budget and prior year figures and preparation of a ‘Year on Year' profit reconciliation highlighting key movements and trends • Attending monthly meetings with the Managing Partner to discuss financial performance of the firm and highlight key issues • Attending ad hoc meetings with Heads of Department across the firm to discuss departmental financial performance • Coordinating and managing of the year end Statutory Audit • Overseeing the implementation of audit recommendations and monitoring the ongoing compliance with these and other controls • Reviewing and approving of financial statements in accordance with recognised accounting standards and relevant legislation prior to presentation to the Audit Committee • Provision of financial performance reports with variance analysis • Carry out other such duties as required by management Team Management • Managing the Financial Reporting Team - (3 accountants and 2 trainee accountants) • Reviewing work carried out by the Financial Reporting Team • Providing regular feedback and performance appraisals Other Ad Hoc Projects • Partner Promotion Process - reviewing the financial information for use in the partner promotions process and working closely with promotion candidates to prepare their submission documents and presentations • Accounts Payable - reviewing and signing off of monthly supplier and expense payment run • Business Partnering - attending regular meetings with Heads of Business Support Departments to review their costs against budget About the person • You are a professionally qualified accountant with a minimum of 5 years' experience in management • You have the ability to communicate appropriately with finance colleagues and internal stakeholders • You can recognise limitations and seek assistance / advice where necessary • You have strong analytical skills with the ability to research, understand and resolve a wide range of finance issues • You are self-motivated and have strong time management skills • You have the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, managing multiple priorities, with a determination to achieve specific goals • You are an intermediate-advanced user of Excel