Finance Performance 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.

You will be part of highly skilled and professional national finance team, approximately 70 strong. The team provides a wide range of services, organised broadly into FP&A, Credit Management, Legal Cashiering and Financial Accounting. We are always committed to providing an excellent service commensurate the leading National Law firm.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Finance Performance Analyst to join our Finance team in Northampton on a permanent contract. You will be providing efficient, timely and accurate accounting support to the Financial Accountant and team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with some previous experience in an accounts department to broaden their knowledge and gain new skills. You will need to be numerate have excellent communication skills, a keen eye for detail, flexibility, able to manage your own workload within deadlines.

Main key areas:

• Assist in the preparation of a quarterly FRS102 & WIP forecast & qualification of previous year-end results.
• To collect, collate and validate net figures regarding year end calculations (FRS102/WIP)
• Assist in the preparation of the year end FRS102 and WIP at cost for inclusion in the audited financial accounts as part of a team, and assist in the collection of data to support auditing requirements.
• Follow up and process 102 WIP write offs
• Presentation of FRS102 quarterly & annual statements to Financial Accountant, Financial Controller & Finance Director as part of a team.
• To collaborate with LA’s on all aspects of WIP including the review of work in progress, client balances, outstanding disbursements and aged debt.
• SLA monitoring of Bank Statement uploads and monthly reporting
• Ensuring write-off requests are processed in a timely manner by Legal Adviser’s and chase where appropriate.
• Monitoring & review of aged disbursements & reconciliation to ledgers
• Cover for team on bank reconciliations and other shared tasks.
• The administration of cost centres, roles and approvals in GK2
• Complete rate changes as per policy
• Other ad-hoc tasks as necessary

• Applicant should ideally be working towards accountancy qualification, with at least 2 years’ experience in accounting environment – preferable in a data analytical role
• Applicant should possess excellent numeracy skills
• Good level of IT literacy i.e.  Excel, Outlook, Word essential
• Knowledge of SAP would be an advantage.
• Positive with can do attitude
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Have the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to adapt and maintain high standards
• Organised with a neat and tidy approach to working practices
• Reliability, friendly and helpful approach
• Have a flexible approach to working practices
• Ability to work as part of a small local team but also the bigger Finance team.

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. Personal vetting credit search (which will only highlight Insolvency or County Court Judgements – Should any adverse data show on the Personal Vetting search them any offer of employment made be withdrawn). Terrorism check (against data supplied by the Bank of England) and a basic 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.