Shakespeare Martineau is a Top 50 law firm that combines creativity, commerciality and clarity. We work with blue-chip companies, leading organisations, high street brands and individuals across the country.
As enterprising and original thinkers, we’re driven to create exceptional experiences for our clients and our people. We handle personal and business-critical issues and game-changing deals across many dynamic sectors. It’s stimulating and rewarding.
We’re hardworking and deeply ambitious about creating opportunities for our employees; to move forward and achieve our ambition together. We provide an environment in which you’re supported to reach your potential.
Our people have a blend of excellent technical and business skills with the talent to do things differently.
Here you’ll find top quality work, cutting edge training, high profile clients, and supportive colleagues. We think it could be time you joined us. |
To provide truly outstanding client service we work as one team. Our Business Operations Group is made up of business professionals who work with our legal professionals to provide market leading expertise to our clients. The Groups include; Finance, Operations, HR, Clients & Markets, IT, Risk and the Executive Leadership team.
Our Finance team is made up of over 40 people who work from a variety of our office locations. The work is split into four core areas; Financial Accounting, Financial Operations, Business Partnering and Partner Services.
The team work closely with our other business operations teams to provide a first class service. They are responsible for the sound financial management of the firm, including cash flow, budgeting, internal and external reporting and audit. They have responsibilities for the safe-keeping and operating of our clients’ funds held on account and also deal with payroll, credit control ‘Work In Progress’, partner finances and tax returns. The team also provide bespoke finance business partnering support to all other areas of the business. |
The role:
We are looking for a Finance Systems Accountant to join our Finance team, part of the firm’s Business Operations group.
Reporting to the Finance Systems Manager, the Finance Systems Accountant will be a key contributor to the delivery of our entire portfolio of financial processes, as realised and managed within the firm’s PMS systems.
Initially the role will focus on the specification; design, testing and deployment firm wide of a new Practice Management System (PMS) and its component modules.
Following the successful deployment of phase 1, the role will transition into one of ongoing maintenance and development. You will be leading on and / or contributing to a continuous programme of business process improvement projects to ensure the business is realising the full potential of the new PMS.
The role will be primarily based in our Birmingham office but may require occasional travel to our other sites.
Your key duties will include:
- supporting the Finance Systems Manager in the initial delivery, then on-going support and development of, a new PMS system
- leading on or assisting in reviewing current financial processes against the configuration of the firm’s new PMS, suggesting improvements in order that they are designed and implemented to be performed as efficiently as possible
- providing 3rd-line support for the firm’s Finance Systems environment, working with the other teams within our Business Operations group to deliver an effective and seamless overall service to the firm
- overseeing processes and informing senior Finance stakeholders of areas of risk / non-compliance, to ensure the firm is acting within the Solicitors Accounts Rules in the way it deals with financial transactions
- mentoring junior members of the Finance Systems team, assisting them in developing their technical and inter-personal competencies
Skills and experience you will have:
- an accountancy qualification (CIMA; ACCA; ACA) or part qualified or QBE is desirable
- a minimum of 5 years’ experience within a legal Finance Systems environment is essential; familiarity with Aderant Expert (Version 8.x) or TR Elite 3E, and their affiliated integrations with 3rd party solutions, would be advantageous
- a demonstrable level of literacy across a range of core IT development, integration and infrastructure
- tools, for example (but not limited to):
- MS SQL Server and BI solutions
- MS T-SQL; SSRS, SSIS
- MS Visual Studio; C#, .NET
- Integrators and data warehouses, e.g IntApp (Integrate), MI/BI stacks
- a strong financial background, with solid understanding within a legal services environment of how financial transactions flow and interdepend
- demonstrable practical knowledge of the Solicitors Accounts Rules
- experience of improving financial processes and implementation of change in a subject matter expert role, working within and contributing to established project management methodologies and change governance principles, e.g. Prince II, ITIL
- a demonstrable ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure of deadlines, including experience in prioritising competing workloads and managing external parties’ expectations
Key competencies you will need:
- a high degree of drive, self-motivation and enthusiasm, including a willingness to work flexible hours as the role demands
- the ability to assist in delivery of key Finance Systems change projects, having strong analytical, diagnostic and problem-solving skills
- an ability to work within and contribute to structured frameworks controlling change; with a necessary focus on producing technical documentation; QA testing plans etc. and having excellent planning and organisational skills
- excellent written; verbal communication and negotiating skills, including the ability to share knowledge appropriately and to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences
- a commitment to delivering excellent levels of service to internal and external clients at all times
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Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. |
