Business Services Finance Accountant

Leeds, England, United Kingdom

12/29/2024

Purpose of the Role

• Due to the continued success and growth of the company, we are looking to recruit an experienced, commercially focused management accountant to support a key Business Services (overheads) function, with responsibility for owning and driving the financial performance of that function.
• You will lead on all aspects of commercial finance management and business partnering across the function, in partnership with the Functional Director and other senior budget owners, managing a significant cost base.
• You will maintain and adhere to appropriate financial controls and be responsible for the key finance set-piece deliverables for your function, including month end, plans and forecasts, producing relevant variance analysis and financial commentary as required.
• You will aim to develop and maintain a 'trusted advisor' status within your area of expertise and represent Group Finance to the business, driving commercial decision making, robust financial management and best practice.
• You will also lead on material projects and investments within your function's remit, to ensure commercial viability in line with functional and firmwide strategies.
  
  

DUTIES

• Management Accounts: Produce monthly management accounts for relevant Business Services Function(s), including variance analysis and financial commentary, highlighting any risks and opportunities to the financial plan. Present results to the Head of Finance - Business Services and other key stakeholders as required.
• Planning / Forecasting: Lead on business planning for relevant function(s), including the annual Plan and quarterly Forecasts. Produce robust plans with appropriate financial commentary, highlighting areas of concern or opportunity.
• Business Partnering: Own and discuss all aspects of a Function's financial performance with the relevant Director and other budget holders, understanding the challenges faced and commercial underpinnings of that Function to develop a trusted advisor status.
• Commercial Finance Support: Work closely with the Procurement team and relevant operational business owners to drive commercial thinking and decision making, reviewing and challenging proposals and contracts to ensure spend is in line with business strategy and that value-for-money is being achieved.
• Project Management: Lead on material projects and investments for relevant Function(s), liaising with senior stakeholders to ensure projects are commercially viable and delivered within agreed budgets / plans. Attend project boards with both internal and external parties as appropriate, presenting financial information when required for use in decision-making.
• Reporting and Analysis: Help maintain and develop reporting outputs which tell the story of financial performance, for both immediate area(s) of ownership but also the wider Business Services Finance team.
• Financial Controls / Reconciliations: Ensure balance sheet postings and reconciliations are carried out in a timely and accurate manner, working with the Financial Control team as appropriate, primarily in relation to accruals, prepayments, and capital expenditure.
• Purchase to Pay: Work closely with the Accounts Payable and Procurement teams to manage the Purchase to Pay (P2P) cycle for relevant function(s), proactively ensuring adherence to processes and controls. Support internal stakeholders with training and gain buy-in as appropriate.
• Finance Processes / Procedures: Maintain and promote adherence to existing processes, whilst also suggesting improvements which lead to efficiencies. Lead on business partnering with colleagues across relevant functions to ensure understanding of processes and best practice.
  
  

Your Areas of Knowledge and Expertise

• Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACA, ACCA).
• Confident stakeholder management and commercial business partnering skills.
• Comfortable presenting financial information to senior stakeholders to aid with decision making.
• Experience of coaching and developing colleagues, both within and outside immediate team.
• Strong Excel skills, with ability to develop and manipulate data models to drive reporting outputs.
• Good understanding of financial controls and procedures.
• Ability to use own initiative and add value without prompt.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
  
  

the Team

• The Group Finance team supports and drives the financial success of Addleshaw Goddard. We strive to deliver a first-class service to our stakeholders and to be a great team to work with and be part of. The Group Finance team comprises business professionals across a range of disciplines including Financial Control, Tax, Procurement, Business Partnering, Financial Planning & Analysis, Credit Control, Accounts Payable, Legal Billing and Legal Cashiering.
• The Business Services Finance team are business partners and trusted advisors to the Firm's Business Services leaders, commercially managing the Firm's overhead spend to drive operational and financial excellence across the Functions and ensure value for money is being achieved. The team consists of eight colleagues, all based in our Leeds office, ranging from entry level Finance Assistants up to qualified Accountants.
• You will work as part of an established team with a significant track record of internal promotion and career development. We are committed to supporting and providing progression opportunities at all levels across the Firm.
  
  

Our FIRM

Addleshaw Goddard is a place where you are valued, encouraged, and challenged to fulfil your potential in a supportive and collegiate environment. Our culture of improvement, growth and collaboration delivers results, drives innovation, and rewards ambition.

We not only provide technical excellence and experience but, crucially, demonstrate real insight into our clients and what really matters to them and as such we are natural choice for FTSE100 clients and their equivalents in other markets.

Our success has been built by people from the widest range of backgrounds, locations, and perspectives. We have a number of employee networks that provide space to discuss the differences that make us who we are and celebrate this at AG.

OUR APPROACH: IMAGINE THE BEST YOU CAN BE

Everything we've accomplished can be traced back to our people and the way we work. Our reputation is something we are proud of, and constantly invest in.

Here, you'll do high calibre work, with high-character colleagues who care for one another and our clients.

Are you up for the challenge?