Financial Controller

Job content

Description

We’re Norton Rose Fulbright - a global law firm with over 50 offices and 7,000 employees worldwide.

Our Newcastle office is currently recruiting for a Finance Controller. As well as the relevant skills and experience, we’re looking for people who are innovative, commercial and value the work that they do. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view and believe diversity drives innovation, so we’re building a culture where difference is valued.

Reporting to the Head of Financial Control, and with a current team of five, the role is a mixture of responsibilities for UK financial accounting, supporting the accounting activities across EMEA offices including the preparation of the Norton Rose Fulbright LLP consolidation, and associated internal and external reporting.

The Role

UK Financial Accounting

The role is accountable for leading the financial accounting for the UK offices (London and Newcastle) of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. The UK offices are the largest offices in EMEA, and the role will deliver end to end accounting support including:

• Leading on all complex accounting matters and resolving issues as they arise
• Prioritising financial accounting activities to ensure the timely provision of quality financial accounting and to assist management in decision making.
• Managing the team to ensure all general ledger tasks are completed in accordance with the month end timetable ( SAP, the finance system used, closed on working day 4 )
• Accountable for VAT returns, ensuring they are accurately completed and submitted on a timely basis
• Accountable for the completion of Balance Sheet Reconciliations, and identifying any risks and opportunities related to the Balance Sheet.
  

A key element of the role will be to develop the processes, procedures and systems used by Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. In doing so the role will need to mentor and develop the financial accounting team, as well as working closely with EMEA finance teams deliver sustainable, EMEA wide solutions.

EMEA

The role will be accountable for the Norton Rose Fulbright LLP consolidation, which includes the consolidation of all EMEA offices. T

To be successful, the role will need to develop strong communication links with regional Chief Operating Officers and regional EMEA finance teams in relation to expenditure controls, accounting and reporting. The role will often be the focal point of questions from the local EMEA finance teams, and, as well as providing advice, will often have to lead on the any solutions.

Responsibilities include:

• Completion of the Norton Rose Fulbright LLP consolidation by working day 8 ( the consolidation is performed in a BPC system) . In doing so, the role will coordinate activity performed by other finance teams across Norton Rose Fulbright (including other EMEA and Global teams)
• Leading the development of the chart of accounts in support of internal and external reporting. The SAP chart of accounts is globally managed by the Norton Rose Fulbright global financial team
• Maintenance and development of inter office settlements and reconciliation processes
• Managing the work in progress (WIP) reviews of client work performed for both the internal and external reporting year ends.
  

Internal and External Reporting

The role has responsibility for the preparation of internal and external reports for Norton Rose Fulbright LLP:

• Monthly consolidated management accounts, including EMEA office profitability analysis, for the Finance Director and Chief Operating Officer
• Preparation of the annual statutory Norton Rose Fulbright LLP report and accounts, including liaison with the auditors. In doing so the role will develop and manage to an audit timetable for all parties in Norton Rose Fulbright LLP as well as the auditors.
• Bank loan covenant "headroom" reporting and pensions trustee reporting
  

A key element of the role will be to develop the monthly management accounts and office reporting, ensuring the information is available quicker ( which may include amending the consolidation process), is easily accessible to users (including "self-service" reports) and commentary is more insightful.

Skills And Experience Required

The individual should:

• Enjoy working independently, taking full ownership of deliverables
• Be self-motivated and self-disciplined, passionate about meeting all deadlines
• Have excellent communication and influencing skills
• Be a good problem solver, methodical in approach with an "eye for detail"
  

Experience required:

• Qualified accountant with 5 years+ post qualification experience
• Strong technical accounting background, must have had responsibility for consolidations and UK statutory accounts
• Proven track record of managing and delivering against competing deadlines
• Communicating and coordinating with accounting and finance professionals across international businesses
• SAP ERP system or SAP BPC Reporting experience (desirable)
• Working within a large professional services organisation (beneficial)
  

Our clients come first and whilst we have a high performance culture and work hard as a team, in return we offer range of competitive benefits including:

• 25 days hols + Bank hols - Buy/sell
• GP Service
• Bupa Healthcare
• Pension
• Flexible working
  

In addition, we are proud of our established health and wellbeing programme which supports our employees through mental, physical and lifestyle challenges.

Norton Rose Fulbright is committed to promoting a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace where everyone can realise their full potential and career ambitions on the basis of merit and skill. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and employee networks. Find more about Diversity and Inclusion here .

Norton Rose Fulbright is an equal opportunities employer. We will make reasonable adjustments to our application process to ensure that you have the best chance of success. We understand that there’s not a "one size fits all" approach to adjustments so our team will work with you individually to understand more about your requirements. Please contact our Recruitment team on EMEARecruitment@nortonrosefulbright.com