FP&A - Reporting Manager

About this role:

The Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) team is in the Financial Operations function of Ashurst. The team is responsible for Planning and Forecasting, Budgeting, Data Collection & Verification activities and Performance Monitoring and Analysis.

The team is located in Sydney, Brisbane, London and Glasgow. This role is based in Glasgow and will report through to the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis in Sydney.

In this role the successful candidate will:

• Drive proactive change across systems, process and challenge the status quo;
• Focus on producing and delivering meaningful analysis and financial reports – through enhancing relationships with the ASC (Ashurst Service Central – our shared services team), Data Engineering and working extensively with a broad range of stakeholders;
• Partner in the design and development of key metric reporting, focussed on strategic deliverables as defined by the Firm. This will commence with the support of the Partner Financial Report (PFR), with a focus on continuing the service delivery. You will be a key player in the development of the reporting capabilities moving forward;
• Support the Working Capital Program manager in the ongoing performance of target setting and forecast outcomes for working capital;
• Be a team player, promoting the continued development of the Finance Operations community and contributing to the Firm’s ongoing success;
• Work on projects as defined by the Finance Operations Executive Director and Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, with a focus on continuous improvement, enhancing reporting capabilities and enhancing skills across the stakeholder base.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and provide financial analysis on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) to provide data driven insights to aid decision making across a wide range of financial outcomes;
• Ensure robust testing of new reports, analytics and information has occurred – all with the aim of promoting a self-serve environment;
• Prepare and provide regular reporting as required by the broader Financial Management community or business units – ensure reports are built which are easily handed over to transactional processing for continuing operation;
• Interface with the Data Engineering teams to develop and implement a coherent, clear data strategy across the Firm, that provides meaningful and insightful reporting concepts on a timely basis to key stakeholders;
• Assist with the triage of requests through the Financial Reporting Steering Committee – ensuring the implementation of a robust process to capture reporting requirements and work with the steering committee in the prioritisation of requests and ensuring alignment to the Firm strategies;
• Ensure the development of a robust query management process, where stakeholder queries are addressed promptly and accurately to ensure the integrity of the financial information environment;
• Management of the local FP&A reporting analysts, and contribution to the wider FP&A team through embedded goals and deliverables alignment to FP&A roadmaps and direction;
• Preparation, analysis and review of Partner Financial Reports. Ensure the accuracy of financial information and test following performance of the monthly cycle. Capture process improvements and ensure focus on faster, more efficient and robust information to the Firm’s Partners;
• Support working capital forecasting, target setting and performance of ad hoc analysis, with support for the Working Capital Program Manager and ensuring active participation in the education of support staff around working capital metrics and performance criteria; and
• Work with local members of the finance community in the aiding and development of new reporting concepts – being actively involved in the design of new processes or improvement of existing processes

Essential skills and experience

Skills and experience

Amount and Type of Experience:

• Minimum of 5+ years in Financial analysis;
• Minimum of 5+ years in Commercial Finance roles;
• Team Management experience is essential – exposure to working in a Global environment is highly regarded.

Level of Technical Knowledge:

• Advanced proficiency in financial modelling, budgeting, and forecasting techniques;
• Qualified Accountant (preferred);
• Proficiency in TM1, 3E, PowerBI and data extraction, with model building capabilities;
• Advanced Excel skills is essential

Breadth/Depth of Experience and Knowledge:

• Extensive experience in financial analysis, with a passion for simplification and achieving reporting outcomes in an efficient, repeatable way;
• Ability to make decisions utilising a data-driven approach, but willing and capable to utilise judgement in a commercially sensible and structured way;
• Excellent communication skills – both written and spoken;
• Previous experience working within a Law Firm is highly regarded;
• Experience with working with non-finance stakeholders in a collaborative and cohesive way;
• Managing a team with a core focus on developing skillsets and enhancing the capabilities;
• Exposure to process efficiency, service catalogues and stakeholder management principles;
• Experience managing projects from ideation to implementation is highly regarded