Commercial Accountant

Marks Sattin are partnering an International law firm in Birmingham city center who are looking to recruit a Commercial Accountant.My client is a leading UK-based international law firm who provide clients with legal services at home and around the world. As Commercial Accountant, you will be working for a business who have a top-tier suite of legal services with more than 1,400 legal professionals across offices in 18 cities worldwide. Main purpose of the role of Commercial Accountant: To provide financial support and analysis to the Commercial Finance Manager and legal groups (including to partners, fee earners (FEs) and PAs) covering all aspects to drive financial performance and control from P&L to cash flow. Main Duties and Responsibilities for the position of Commercial Accountant: Performance Review and Analysis Review (with Practice Leaders (PLs) and Team Leaders (TLs) where appropriate) and distribution of management accounts and month-end reportsWork with CFMs to analyse and identify opportunities to improve performance and work with the legal group(s) to develop clear plans to achieve these including the monitoring of deliveryWork with CFMs, CDs, PLs and TLs to produce rolling reforecasts to ensure an accurate assessment of business performance and a "no surprises" environment Business Planning Work with the Business Planning team, CFMs, CDs, PLs and TLs to prepare business plans, budgets and forecasts within the prescribed timetablesWork with CFMs to evaluate, challenge and build business cases to support key proposals (e.g. lateral hires, Partner and Director promotions, mergers and other strategic proposals) and ensure appropriate post-investment appraisal and monitoring.Co-ordinate and be responsible for the input of the Groups' budgets and forecasts Financial Control & Reporting WIP & billing management: Work with the Groups' Practice Management Assistants (PMAs) and where appropriate attend and/or conduct review meetings with partners and FEs to ensure that there is a full understanding of the Groups' WIP positionProduction and distribution of regular flash reports to monitor progress against billing and cash collection targets Debt & cash collection: To assist in reducing the working capital requirement of the Firm (by completing the above and other relevant procedures as appropriate) Time Recording: Preparation and distribution of time recording reports as appropriate Monitoring of overhead expenditure against budget (e.g. travel, accommodation, entertaining, training, disbursements etc.)Assist in co-ordinating the year-end WIP valuation process, and work with other members of the Finance team to provide appropriate support to the year-end accounts processEnsure all central reporting deadlines are met (planning, budget, forecast, month-end, year-end)To prepare monthly Firm-wide reporting on standard KPIs (e.g. Partner reports, sector reports, top clients etc.) Business Development Supporting CFM with profitability, financial evaluation and support for sales pitches and tenders, to include pricing, discount structures, commercial terms etc.Profitability analysis of clients, sectors, business types, and working with CFMs and partners to identify options and recommendations to increase sales and profit marginsWorking with CFMs and partners to maximise the value of client relationships (e.g. sales volume, pricing, discounts, annual fee rate increases, secondment reviews, client financial reporting, debt collection, contingent fees etc)Ensure efficient and effective working with the Business Development team on the above where appropriate Project Work Supporting the CFM with any project based work (e.g. time recording, benchmarking or other strategic projects) as appropriate Key Skills and Experience required for the position of Commercial Accountant: ACA, ACCA or CIMA newly qualified or up to 2 years PQE Professional, credible and confident in dealing appropriately with people at all levels Strong financial and commercial acumen Strong analytical and financial modelling skills Advanced Excel