Accountant - Partner Finance

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Accountant to join our growing Partners' Affairs & Tax team, based in the A&O Shearman Belfast office.

The remit of the Partners' Affairs & Tax Team within Finance is to support all aspects of the firm's partnership accounting/partner finance function across the territories in which the firm operates. This includes the calculation and payment of partners' profit share (drawings & distributions), the management of partnership capital and partnership capital loan, partners' tax reserving and tax payments.

What you will do

Partnership Capital/Capital Loans, including;

• Co-ordinating the annual capital contribution process, including onboarding new partners and processing capital loan repayments for retirees and adjustments to capital
• Assisting with the preparation and review of annual capital statements for all partners
• Maintaining relationships with banks and partners to coordinate capital loan documentation
• Management of bank loan documentation (and Power of Attorneys), including electronic filing
• Forecasting future capital interest payments and liaising with treasury to ensure adequate funding availability
• Arranging and reconciling quarterly loan interest payments to ensure they are settled timely
• Maintaining accurate reconciliation of partners' capital and capital loan interest general ledger accounts, including preparation and posting of relevant journals
• Responding to ad hoc queries from partners and providing timely information or support as required.
• Maintaining and enhancing systems and documentation used in the capital process
• Supporting the forecasting of future capital contributions in line with bank facility limits
• Contributing to the firm's cash flow process in respect of capital inflows/outflows (for capital interest)

Supporting the year end process;

• Calculating loan interest mutualisation for inclusion in the firm's year-end profit allocation model
• Performing annual revaluation of fixed currency denominated capital for year-end calculations
• Assisting with the year-end calculation of the movement in the retired partner interest provision
• Assisting with the year-end audit, including liaising with external auditors on partnership capital matters
• Preparing year-end capital schedules to support the production of disclosure schedules in the firm's Annual Report & Financial Statements
• Providing support to the teams' management with the ongoing development and enhancement of the capital raising process.

What you will have

• Excellent communication skills both oral and written
• Enthusiastic, dynamic, pro-active, ambitious, commitment to "getting the job done".
• Ability to assimilate large amounts of information and a strong eye for detail.
• Able to work effectively using own initiative and as part of a team.
• Strong numeracy and IT skills, including knowledge of Windows, Excel, and Word and the ability to adapt to using unfamiliar software packages. Particular emphasis is placed on experience in Excel.
• Strong time management skills, ability to multi-task, prioritise, manage processes, critically review and evaluate financial information.
• Proven ability to provide a high level of 'client service'.
• Previous business experience in a global organisation, preferably within a professional services function.
• Qualified/Part Qualified Accountant desirable (ACCA/AAT or similar)

What we can offer you

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

At A&O Shearman we operate a 60:40 working policy, and the requirement is that you must work from the office a minimum for 3 days per week. We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

If this role is not of interest we may have another suitable opportunity here for you at A&O Shearman! Visit our careers portal at A&O Shearman Careers and submit your CV to our Talent Network to be notified when the perfect opportunity becomes available.