Group Financial Accounting Manager

Group Financial Accounting Manager
Manchester
Competitive salary + benefits

Freshfields Overview

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it most matters, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,400 lawyers in 28 offices around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments.

Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams.

We think and work globally - we don’t just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work isn’t just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.

We aim to add value in everything we do - we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.

Location Overview

The Freshfields Global Europe Centre provides both business and legal services to the firm. Our services are delivered in a way which supports the global nature of our firm and our clients, enables our fee earners to deliver exceptional service to our clients and to do that in a way which is efficient and effective. Our Europe Centre is the first site to be established in the emerging Freshfields Global operating model. Our aspiration is to establish further sites in the US and Asia-Pacific in the coming years. 

Function Overview 

The is an essential part of the wider finance department of the Firm and is expected to deliver an exceptional service to our fee earners and clients. 

Role Purpose

The Group Financial Accounting Manager will be responsible for all group financial accounting requirements of the firm including:

Planning/management/co-ordination of the firm’s global audit;

The preparation of the firm’s consolidated LLP accounts together with statutory accounts for UK subsidiaries;

Management of global ledgers and supporting finance leads globally  

This role will also have line management responsibility for two Financial Accountants and will mentor, coach and inspire the team whilst seamlessly co-ordinating their work.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

• Manage and develop the team, setting appropriate goals, performing regular reviews and providing constructive feedback;
• Plan and review deliverables to ensure work is of a high quality and delivered on time;
• Plan/co-ordinate the Firm’s worldwide audit and actively manage the UK audit;
• Manage the preparation of the Limited Liability Partnership accounts for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  These accounts will be subject to a considerable amount of scrutiny by the Firm’s competitors, clients and the legal press;
• Responsible for the integrity of worldwide data included in the firm’s consolidated accounts;
• Manage global financial accounting policies,  providing  support to local Finance Directors  across the network;
• Liaise with the group finance team in Manchester and regional accounting teams throughout  the network to ensure full understanding of the requirements for the consolidation process and to provide support/ guidance  during the accounts preparation process;
• Oversee the preparation of year adjustments for international offices.  The consolidation process will identify adjustments which need to be reflected in each office’s local accounting records and these will need to be notified and explained to each office following the preparation of the accounts;
• Manage the preparation of  statutory accounts for UK subsidiaries in accordance with FRS 101/;

Key Requirements

• ACA/ACCA;
• Experience in staff management;
• Experienced in  preparing and reviewing consolidated financial accounts in accordance with IFRS;
• Partnership background or similar;
• Ability to gain a good overview as well as being prepared to get involved in the detail;
• Confident when communicating with staff and management at all levels;
• Numerate, methodical and proactive;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Friendly, outgoing, social personality;
• Must be a team player. 

Benefits

Our reward package is designed to offer you a competitive salary, a comprehensive range of employee benefits and the potential to receive an additional bonus each year, recognising the contribution you make to the firm.

You can choose from a variety of insurance policies, services and products to help you secure your financial future, protect your health and fitness, and make your life easier. You will receive 26 days’ holiday each year, with the option to purchase additional days, plus free access to market-leading health and wellbeing websites and services. 

As you would expect, we will support you through the major events in your life, so we offer competitive maternity, flexible working and leave policies.