Baker McKenzie Hiring for Financial Accountant Job at London, England Full Time

Role Purpose

To lead the compliance reporting for the London office; including financial statements, VAT, PAYE settlement and partnership tax returns.

Main Responsibilities

• Responsible for the preparation of the annual LLP financial statements partnering with Global and Regional Finance
• Responsible for the preparation of quarterly VAT returns in relation to all local entities.
• Responsible for the preparation of the Partnership Tax return
• Managing the preparation of the annual financial statements of the service companies partnering with Global and Regional Finance
• Managing the preparation of corporation tax returns for the service companies
• Maintain general ledger and balance sheet accuracy in conjunction with in-market accounting resources
• Oversee all GL to sub-ledger reconciliations, fixed assets, VAT filing support, Tax payment calculations and inter-firm reconciliation
• Monitor ledger finalisation, journal entry adjustments, and balance sheet re-classifications
• Provide local management reporting for the office in relation to compliance issues.
• Coordinate year-end audit for LLP and Service Company entities
• Provide support for internal/external audits as necessary.
• Provide assistance in relation to P11Ds and expatriate tax and NI
• Responsible for advising on relevant developments in accounting, tax and VAT legislation and implementing any necessary changes.
• Define and implement operational guidelines to ensure compliance to local tax and accounting regulations
• Assist with the developments of financial procedures and processes throughout the firm.
• Responsible for the management and supervision of the Reporting Accountant

Travel Requirements

Limited/ad-hoc basis

About The Team

The Finance function provides the following services to the Firm:

• Supporting strategic decision-making from a financial and business perspective
• Managing cashflow, including accounts payable, credit checks, billing and collections
• Ensuring firm-wide purchasing excellent and efficiency
• Financial reporting, budgets and forecasts
• Securing financing across the global firm

This role will report to the In-Market Finance Lead.

The key relationships with this role are with the following:

• Q2C & P2P teams at location
• In-Market Business Teams
• In-Market lawyers and management

About The Candidate

Technical skills, qualifications and experience

• Qualified Accountant ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification
• Significant relevant Finance experience. Experience in Finance Compliance in a professional services organization is preferred.
• Proven ability to influence, interact and consult with senior leaders regarding finance processes, guidelines and compliances.
• Demonstrated expertise in operational efficiency and financial accounting. Strong in project management and systemic thinking.
• Demonstrated ability to assess risk and take decisive, appropriate actions, especially in the case of exception requests.
• Ability to network and collaborate with teams both regional and global, while acknowledging their cultural, social and academic diversity.
• Working proficiency in using MS Office ( experience in excel macros preferable but not essential) and other Productivity Tools

Personal qualities

These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location.

Know how

• Keeps across key developments in all relevant areas and demonstrates the ability to develop substantive authority in relation to the Firm’s specialist fields
• Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distils a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
• Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis

Dedication

• Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
• Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is self reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
• Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
• Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations

Personal Impact

• Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
• Negotiates to achieve outcomes that are mutually satisfactory; shows good judgement on when to stand strong and when to compromise
• Invests in, nurtures and builds a network of productive relationships Humanity
• Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent
• Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people
• Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion

Why Join Us?

Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the world’s most dynamic and successful business organisations through our 13,200 people in 78 offices in 46 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard. Our culture encourages this – how we work, think and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.

In London you will be part of an 950 person office, which is also our largest office globally. Originally opened in 1961, Baker McKenzie London is well established in the UK as a leading international law firm and is regularly involved in some of the country’s most high-profile legal matters. We can offer you the work, pride and experience of being part of a leading law firm but in a local office environment that is hardworking, yet friendly and supportive.

The strength of the firm and our culture is evidenced by a number of recent awards, including:

• Acritas’ Sharplegal Global Elite Brand Index, 2010- 2020 – ranked 1st
• The Sunday Times’ Best Companies to Work For 2011, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17: currently ranked 66th
• The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2018: currently ranked 65th
• Thomson Reuters ranked the Firm No. 1 for cross-border deals for the last 12 years. More than 70% of our deals are cross-border.
• For the 14th consecutive year, the Firm was ranked first for deals with emerging market involvement, by both number of announced and completed deals.
• Law360 ranked the Firm as the leading global law firm in its annual survey.
• Identified as one of the best law firms for women by Working Mother magazine, Law360 and Euromoney.
• Named one of Stonewall’s Top Global Employers for the fourth consecutive year in 2019.
• Recognised in 2019 as a top 10 employer in the UK for LGBT+ equality, and named as one of 10 Top Trans Employers, in Stonewall’s Top 100 Best Employers listing.
• Featuring in Business in the Community’s Top 100 Employers for Race listing.
• Ranking 5th in the 2019 Social Mobility Employer Index.
• Winning the Best International Firm (UK), Best International Firm for Minority Women Lawyers, and Best International Firm for Women in Business Law at the European Women in Business Law Awards 2019.

Have a look at our YouTube channel to find out more about us!

To Apply

Please click on the Apply icon to start the online application process for this role. We will then be in touch with you once we have reviewed your application. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the Recruitment Team on either 020 7919 1000 or [email protected]

For more information about this position or to discuss any adjustments you may require during the process please contact in confidence, David Roberts, Recruitment Manager, on 020 7072 5752 or [email protected]

Please review our Applicant Privacy Notice here

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Please note Baker McKenzie does not accept unsolicited CVs. Please click here for details of our Agency Policy and commitment to sourcing directly.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

As the first truly global law firm, diversity and inclusion are foundational to our culture and strategic vision. We are a Firm of individuals from across the globe with different backgrounds, ideas, and points of view who collegially work together to solve complex problems and design practical solutions for our clients. Our multiple perspectives come from many sources, including the diverse ethnicity, culture, gender, nationality, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, parental status, education, social background and life experience of our people.

Our global strategy is focused on our people, our culture, our clients and the communities where we operate. In 2019 we enacted ambitious new targets related to gender, racial and ethnic diversity at the Firm. These targets are viewed as a floor, not a ceiling, to advancing underrepresented groups, and they are backed by a variety of strategic initiatives aimed at achieving our goals. Our strategic vision is supported in London by six active employee led networks which champion diversity, lead on a number of internal campaigns and deliver a range of activity to celebrate differences in identity, inclusion, and key dates throughout the year including: LGBT+ History Month, International Women’s Day, International Trans Day of Visibility, Mental Health Awareness Week, Pride, Black History Month, Social Mobility Week, International Day of Disabled Persons and many more!

Baker McKenzie London has been accredited by Disability Confident, joining over 18,000 organisations that have signed up to help change behaviours and cultures in businesses, networks and communities and reap the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.