At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial decisions, analyse performance, and provide strategic recommendations to senior management.
- Company: Join Bird & Bird, a global leader in commercial finance with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical cover, life assurance, critical illness cover, and regular health assessments.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration with a diverse team of finance professionals.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on commercial decisions and drive profitable growth in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, advanced Excel and Power BI proficiency, and effective stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Partners make commercial decisions every week, who to hire, what to charge and where to invest.
This role exists to make those decisions better.
You will be the finance lead for a selection of practice groups, giving leaders a clear view of commercial performance and a firm recommendation on what to do next.
You will work closely with the commercial accounts team, the pricing team, the fee-earning community and senior leadership across the firm.
Bird & Bird's Finance team's mission is to provide world class finance support to the business.
In London the team comprises of over 70 finance professionals across a wide range of areas including management and financial accounting, transaction processing, partner accounting, tax, treasury, pricing and commercial decision support.
Our 34 international offices have their own professionals providing local expertise and support.
Collaborative across the network, the team are focussed on driving efficiency, adding value and profitable growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial performance: Review performance against budgets and forecasts, identify the drivers of profitability, utilisation, working capital and cost control, and present clear recommendations to senior management.
- Business partnering and stakeholder engagement: Build strong relationships with Practice Group Heads, partners and senior leaders, acting as a trusted adviser and providing commercial insight to support informed decision-making and the profitable delivery of the five-year strategy.
- Budgeting, forecasting and scenario planning: Work with business units to develop robust budgets and forecasts, model revenue trends and resource capacity, and identify financial risks, opportunities and actions.
- Pricing strategy and governance: Collaborate with the Pricing team to provide strategic input into pricing decisions, balancing competitiveness and client expectations with profitability and the firm's longer-term profit ambitions.
- Lateral partner investment appraisal: Develop robust financial models for potential lateral partner hires, including revenue projections, cost implications, profitability and P&L impact, and assess strategic alignment to support informed recruitment decisions.
- Marketing and Business Development support: Advise Marketing and Business Development teams by reviewing data requests, providing relevant reporting and analysis, and applying findings to practice and business development strategy.
- Reporting and systems: Collaborate with the Business Intelligence and Financial Systems teams to enhance reporting capability, including Power BI, standardised reporting templates and consistent financial models.
- Leadership and collaboration: Support and develop junior finance team members, collaborate across Commercial Accounting, FP&A, Accounting, Pricing and other finance teams, and promote a proactive, high-performing business-partnering culture.
- Process improvement: Drive continuous improvement across finance processes, including reporting, modelling, budgeting, forecasting, write-offs and discounts, identifying opportunities to standardise, simplify and improve efficiency.
- CFO and strategic initiatives: Support the CFO and senior finance leadership in delivering the strategic vision for the commercial management of the firm and in progressing wider finance initiatives.
- AI, Data & Innovation Leadership: Use artificial intelligence tools, automation and advanced analytics to improve decision-making, insight and efficiency across the firm.
- What you'll bring
- Advanced Excel and Power BI skills, with strong analytical ability, accuracy and attention to detail.
- Effective time management, and pride in delivering excellence while managing stakeholder expectations.
A record of changing senior stakeholders' decisions using financial evidence.
- Structured problem solving, and the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to financial and non-financial colleagues at all levels.
- Teamwork: Collaborative work with the wider commercial accounts team across the finance department and business services, requiring good people skills.
- Pricing experience: Some pricing experience in a business partnering context will be very advantageous.
- Other desirable skills and experience
- Ideally the candidate will be qualified or studying towards a formal finance qualification and/or have experience of working within a law firm or professional services environment.
- What's in it for you
- private medical cover
- life assurance
- critical illness cover
- regular health assessmentsą [END OF TEXT]
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Commercial Accounting Manager employer: Bird & Bird LLP
Bird & Bird is an exceptional employer that prioritises the health and wellbeing of its employees, offering comprehensive benefits such as private medical cover, life assurance, and lifestyle perks like discounted gym memberships and a cycle to work scheme. The firm fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, encouraging professional growth through international teamwork and diverse project involvement, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of information security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Accounting Manager
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Bird & Bird LLP. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Accounting Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Bird & Bird LLP.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Bird & Bird LLP's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bird & Bird LLP
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Bird & Bird LLP.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Bird & Bird LLP will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Bird & Bird LLP employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
