FP&A Analyst

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

Our finance team are committed to providing an efficient and accurate service to our legal advisors and to other support functions.  At the centre of this is ensuring that the client and office accounts are kept up to date and invoices are produced accurately and in a timely manner.

• Assist with the month-end process:
  • Reporting of actual results
  • KPI report production
  • Update divisional trends charts
  • Analysis of cost drivers
  • Update forecasts
• Variance analysis against budget and/or forecast with explanation of key differences
• Communicating any risks and opportunities and making suggestions for corrective action
• Preparing graphs and tables to present complex data in an easy to read format
• Scenario modelling & analysis
• Profitability analyses
• Ad hoc reports and analysis
• Develop and/or maintain excel models
• Liaise with Finance, Partners and Operational staff to resolve queries
• Assist with the development and preparation of the annual budget & forecasts
• Support the Head of FP&A and Financial Controller as required
• Review output and deliver required reports to tight deadlines whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy

• Excellent Excel skills
• Good analytical ability
• Will be tested at interview and deemed absolutely essential
• Self-starter, able to work on own initiative but a team player willing to get involved in anything from processing invoices to complex forecasting
• Able to integrate within a team easily and quickly
• Strong people skills.  Able to get on with people well and articulate yourself clearly and effectively both verbally and via reports
• Able to present data and statistics in an easy to read logical manner
• Attention to detail, whilst being able to visualise big picture
• Practical analytical experience
• Forecasting, budgeting and modelling practical experience
• Qualified (CIMA or ACCA) up to 3 years PQE
• Legal sector experience preferred but not essential
• SAP and Business Explorer Analyzer experience preferred but not essential

Background checks

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted.  These checks will include employment references covering the last 5 years, proof of ID, proof of address covering the last 5 years, Personnel Vetting credit search (which will only highlight insolvency or County Court Judgments - should any adverse data show on the Personnel Vetting search then any offer of employment made will be withdrawn).Terrorism Check (against data supplied by the Bank of England) and a DBS check previously known as a Criminal Records check. 

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.