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.

Business partnering with operational division(s) to assist delivery of strategic goals:

• Month-end reporting of actual results and KPIs
• Variance analysis against budget and/or forecast with explanation of key differences
• Prepare and deliver annual budgets & regular forecasting, and to play an active role to onboard a new budgeting / planning platform.
• Scenario modelling & analysis of business impacts / opportunities to project long-term growth.
• IncludIng the creation of bespoke models, whilst developing & maintaining existing models
• Communicating risks and opportunities with suggestions for corrective action
• Preparing graphs and tables to present complex data in an easy to read format
• Profitability analyses for all aspects of the business
• Ad hoc reports and analysis including ‘Deep Dives’

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Liaise with Finance, Partners and Operational & Directorate staff to provide information / resolve queries
• Support the Head of FP&A, Financial Controller & CFO as required. Assisting the other Analysts within the team and working alongside the Reporting Analysts
• Review output and deliver required reports to tight deadlines whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy

• Excellent Excel skills
• Strong 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 communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate yourself clearly and effectively using any method
• Able to present data and statistics in an easy to read logical manner
• Attention to detail, whilst being able to visualise big picture
• High level of commercial acumen
• Forecasting, budgeting and modelling practical experience
• Qualified (CIMA or ACCA) up to 3 years PQE
• Legal sector experience preferred but not essential
• SAP and Analysis for Office experience preferred but not essential

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.