Financial Planning & Analysis Accountant

Financial Planning & Analysis Accountant (FP&A)

Application Deadline: 27 May 2024

Department: Accounts

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Dublin

Description

At Arthur Cox, our Associates are the bedrock of our business. Illustrating our success and growth and our determination to reward the career aspirations of our ambitious and talented people, we develop specialist industry knowledge to offer comprehensive market leading services to our clients.

Our FP&A accountants work with our Businesses and Practice Groups providing financial information, tools, analysis, insight, and support to Leadership, challenging their thinking, helping them make and execute informed decisions which drive better financial performance.

The FP&A role is to provide ‘real time’ support and analysis, to be a trusted advisor and to participate in decision-making and controllership activities which will impact positively on financial performance and cash flow.

The firm uses the Thomson Reuters 3E accounting system and Iridium business intelligence software.

The FP&A Accountants are based in the firm’s finance function, a team of c28 people.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparation of monthly management reports, including insight, analysis and commentary on financial performance, performance trends and offering a perspective on any action required.
• Preparation of annual and semi-annual plans and forecasts, including (i) the challenging and pushing the planned financial growth ambition of the relevant budget holder and (ii) pressure-testing the related planning assumptions from both an up- and down- side perspective.
• Collaborating with users to enhance the impact, and understanding, of operational reporting vis-à-vis financial performance.
• Present relevant financial information monthly at Dept. and Practice Group Leader meetings to build understanding of the business environment and the context for any key financial priorities.
• Preparation of weekly operational reports – utilisation, billings and collections, WIP & AR – and calling out any actions required.
• Monitoring WIP and Debtor Lock-Up levels and collaborating with Partners to understand and resolve any sub-optimal performance or adverse trends.
• Introducing and enhancing commercial procedures to maintain and improve financial performance.
• Building partnerships and strong relationships within the Business and Practice Groups providing proactive support to financial management and commercial decision making.
• Providing periodic financial skills training to Business & Practice Groups with an emphasis on better understanding project/matter economics and the importance of financial hygiene.
• Supporting the month end billing process, through coaching and trouble-shooting issues arising.
• Dealing with and working through operational issues, including challenging current ways of working to deliver efficiencies, revenue enhancement and cost savings wherever possible.
• Preparation of annual business cases for Practice Group promotions.
• Other ad-hoc activities arising based on business needs.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

• 3rd level qualification in a related field, ACA / ACCA preferred.
• Minimum 2-3 years experience working in the finance function of a professional services firm and/or with 3E Elite and Iridium BI software solutions would be advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, technical and accounting skills
• High level of commercial and business awareness
• Calm and measured approach to problem solving
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Strong growth mind-set
• Adaptability
• Client centric with strong relationship management experience.

Benefits

We reward, encourage and support our talented people to reach their full potential offering excellent progression opportunities along with a market leading remuneration package and benefits including:

• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• 25 days annual leave
• Leading hybrid working policy
• Immediate pension scheme
• TaxSaver and Bike to Work scheme
• Professional membership fees
• Full gym and wellness programme

Arthur Cox is one of Ireland’s leading law firms and is the 2023 IFLR Europe Awards, Irish Law firm of the year. An international firm with offices in located in Dublin, Belfast, London, New York and San Francisco. As the firm enters its second century, our Partnership continues to grow. Constant innovation allows us to service our clients in the best possible way.