Management Accountant

Farrer & Co is an independent law firm, with a rich history. A centuries-long tradition of advising private families, individuals and charitable institutions is today complemented by our work with businesses and entrepreneurs, from asset managers and sports bodies to international media groups.

We look to be the market leader in our chosen areas of expertise, advising clients on the contentious and non-contentious legal, business and personal issues they face.

Our reputation and success is based on the goodwill of numerous close client relationships. We are trusted advisers, acting in our clients' long-term interests and paying careful attention to quality and personal service.

Our clients tell us they value us for our integrity, good judgement and professional excellence, as well as our broad perspective, practical solutions and value for money. They describe us as 'a likeable bunch' too.

The team is responsible for the development and overall control of all matters relating to the firm's financial policies, financial affairs and administration.

Responsibility for production of annual budgets and monthly management accounts, insightful analysis of financial performance across the firm and providing commercial support to partners and fee earners to enable effective and profitable delivery of their matters.

• Preparation and delivery of monthly management accounts including a detailed monthly written report. This includes departmental profit and loss accounts, contribution statements as well as various performance reports all issued in accordance with an agreed timetable.
   
• Planning and Budgeting – Agree annual budget drivers and assumptions with the fee earning and Business Service teams and production of consolidated plans and budgets for the firm.  Responsibility for maintaining budgets on the Aderant Practice Management System (PMS) and managing Key Performance Indicators (KPI).  Calculation of forecast profit and loss position in the run up to each year end.
   
• Commercial Analysis - Support and respond to Departmental Managing Partners and other stakeholders on request for financial analysis such as trends or client profitability, providing written explanations and advice as necessary.

• Overheads budget holders monthly reporting - Providing stakeholders with detailed monthly expenditure reports and further analysis as required.  Monthly variance analysis of significant cost items to accompany the Management Accounts.

• Provide pricing and project planning advice to assist Partners with scoping and estimating matter proposals and monitoring outcomes against those plans.

• Oversight and development of weekly management information reports and KPIs issued to the firm (Departments and Practice Areas).

• Training new fee earners on how to use the Management and Information Knowledge Environment software (MIKE) and understanding their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).  Responsible for ensuring fee-earner time is up to date and complete.

• Responsible for setting and maintaining standard and non-standard charge-out client rates on the PMS, keeping records and analysing trends, maintaining log of volume discounts and other special arrangements.  Additionally responsible for calculating underlying cost rates and ensuring FTE, joiner and leaver statistics are consistently reported between finance and HR systems.

• Ad hoc projects and reporting including preparation of financial analysis for partner assessments, departmental (practice area) strategy papers, completion of benchmarking surveys such as Deloitte, LFF, The Lawyer, Legal Business, etc.

• Ensure that firm-wide systems and processes relating to financial performance are effective and duties are delegated where possible to help to develop junior members by sharing knowledge and skills.  
   
• Part of the internal Finance Systems Steering Group to ensure the Finance team and firm make best use of the PMS software capabilities.  Work alongside and co-operate with IT colleagues as necessary to further develop the firm's reporting capabilities.
   
• Build up and maintain a network with peers elsewhere in the legal market so that the firm remains up to date with current thinking and technology.

• Experience of working in professional services, particularly legal industry preferred.

• Experience of implementing or developing BI reporting systems an advantage.

• Excellent organisational skills and able to effectively manage workloads particularly in times of conflicting deadlines and busy periods.

• Ability to work without supervision, proactive and prepared to use initiative.
   
• Confident, with excellent communication skills and a confidential approach where necessary

Qualified accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA) preferred, part-qualified but with relevant experience will be considered.

Our office hours are 9.30am to 5.30pm but it is essential that the applicant is committed, flexible and prepared to work beyond normal office hours when necessary and in response to the demands of the business.