Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Management Accountant to join our Financial Control team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast office.

Financial Control team - Belfast

The Belfast Finance department provides services to the A&O Shearman network of offices covering management and financial accounting & reporting, revenue control (includes eBilling), credit control, accounts payable and tax. Offices currently served are London, Belfast, US, South Africa, Middle East, Israel, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Spain.

There is a strong client service ethic and we work to Service Level Agreements, targets and deadlines to deliver in line with client expectations.

What you will do

We have an opportunity for an experienced Management Accountant to join our Belfast Financial Control team to lead our focused team of US management accountants. Our US business has grown significantly in the last few years, not least from May 24 when we merged with the US headquartered firm of Shearman and Sterling. It is a dynamic, challenging and rewarding team to build a career in.

Functional leadership:

• Responsible for internal management accounting & reporting which supports the US offices;
• Ensure processes and internal controls are documented, follow best practice and are continually improved, and implement changes as appropriate;
• Prioritise work effectively, making realistic compromises when necessary in order to deliver;
• Support the annual financial audit process, providing accurate information to the auditors in a timely manner and execute the annual budgetary/forecasting process;
• Assist the wider Financial Control team to develop practical solutions to improve the service and undertake value added activities;
• Ensure that financial data is accurately captured in the financial and forecasting systems;
• Become a trusted advisor to budget holders, business managers and key members of other finance teams, having the ability to present technical information in a way that is easily understood by a non-specialist audience;
• Provide support on business improvement projects that are required to improve the quality of output from the overall group;
• Help mentor more junior members of the US Management Accounting team;
• Build strong, trusting relationships with the customer (US Financial Controllers, US CFO), and provide constructive feedback regarding issues and problems encountered while delivering the service; and
• Anticipate the needs of the customer and provide timely solutions and opinions on complex matters;
• Responsible for presentation of monthly P&L, BS reporting to CFOs and senior stakeholders.

At A&O Shearman our company values are extremely important to us, we would like the successful candidate to be able to demonstrate evidence of their experience in:

• Quality Provide exceptional service to staff and clients
• Growth Lead the market
• Value Champion operational efficiency and effectiveness
• Efficiency Promote standardisation and integration across the firm
• Talent Recruit, motivate, retain and develop the best people
• Risk Enhance the A&O Shearman Brand and mitigate risk

What you will have

Candidates should have the following job related qualifications and or experience:

• Fully qualified membership of a Professional Accountancy body;
• Three years experience in an accounting role;
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills;
• Great organisational skills, ability to make progress in a range of areas whilst staying on top of deadlines;
• Strong communication skills, comfortable presenting information to senior stakeholders, and also tailoring conversations as needed to non-financially orientated teams;
• Ability to apply technical knowledge and understanding, and identify creative solutions to issues;
• Computer literacy with strong Microsoft Office skills and direct experience of complex finance systems, including multicurrency general ledger systems;
• As this role is the Senior Management Accountant for the US there is a requirement to work partial US hours (12pm to 8:30pm GMT) twice per week (Monday to Thursday), with recognised Premium Hours Payment.

What we can offer you

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

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.

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.

About A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the worlds 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 worlds 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.