At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse financial performance and support strategic decision-making in a leading law firm.
- Company: Dynamic law firm with a strong international presence and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Join a forward-thinking team and make a real impact on financial strategies.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with advanced Excel skills and experience in finance business partnering.
- Other info: Engage with key stakeholders and contribute to innovative financial solutions.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Our client is a law firm with offices located in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. Their aim is to become the leading law firm combining specialist business law and private wealth advice internationally. They have over 1000 staff, which includes over 150 Partners and approximately 40 employees within the Finance team. They are currently looking for a Commercial Finance Business Partner. This role will provide detailed analysis to improve understanding of the financial performance of fee‑earning departments and assist in commercial decision-making, carrying out detailed financial modelling and written commentary.
Responsibilities
- Support senior stakeholders both within and outside of Finance to encourage and support the strategic direction of the division.
- Regularly review actual performance, prepare forecasts/projections, and monitor against business plans and budgets.
- Support in the preparation of investment appraisals / business case analysis for recruitments, lateral hires and promotions.
- Assist in identifying any financial issues and efficiency opportunities to enable the practice groups to undertake profit improvement initiatives.
- Attend and engage with regular department meetings to ensure depth of knowledge of each department is maintained.
- Support discussions of financial performance, proactively challenging issues, driving through change and gaining commercial insight.
- Monitoring and managing key financial targets (e.g., billing, chargeable hours, recovery, and profitability).
- Assist the production of monthly management information pack including KPI's and divisional commentaries.
- Assist the budgeting and planning cycles for fee‑earning departments.
- Work with the Business Intelligence team to support profitability analysis at client, matter, work type, partner and fee earner level.
- Ad‑hoc financial analysis and project work, analysing and understanding underlying financial data.
- Assist in the overall improvement of understanding of financial KPI's and performance across the business.
- Work closely with the Business Intelligence team to help improve overall financial understanding of the business.
- Establish relationships with key stakeholders such as DMPs, HoGs and support teams (HR, Business Development and Finance).
- Collaboration with HR, including recruitment plans, business plans, forecasting headcount for budgets and targets, capacity management, salary review and bonuses, space planning, promotions and ad‑hoc reviews of teams and individuals.
Candidate Profile
- Previous experience in a legal sector role or other partnership structure is desirable but not essential.
- Ability to identify profit drivers and improvement opportunities through the analysis of P&L.
- Experience working with, and finance business partnering with, stakeholders across the business and have proven abilities in critically assessing detailed analysis and problem solving.
- Qualified accountant (CIMA / ACCA / ACA).
- Highly advanced Excel skills.
- Significant experience of using 3e, or other similar practice management system.
- Knowledge or willingness to learn to use new tools (e.g. Microsoft Power BI).
Commercial Finance Business Partner in London employer: Career Legal
Contact Detail:
Career Legal Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Business Partner in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal sector or finance world. Attend industry events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the firm and its financial performance. Understand their key financial targets and be ready to discuss how you can help improve them. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who can drive change and add real value.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial modelling skills! Be ready to showcase your advanced Excel abilities during interviews. Maybe even bring along a sample of your work to demonstrate your analytical prowess and how you can support their strategic direction.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you that Commercial Finance Business Partner role!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Business Partner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in financial analysis and stakeholder engagement, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in improving financial performance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our client’s law firm. Mention your understanding of the legal sector and how your previous experiences align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Financial Modelling Skills: Since this role involves detailed financial modelling, make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have. If you've worked on investment appraisals or business case analyses before, let us know! This will show that you can hit the ground running.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Career Legal
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the role, such as billing, chargeable hours, and profitability. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics in past roles to drive decision-making.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role involves supporting senior stakeholders, so show that you can build relationships. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with different departments in previous positions. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve influenced decisions through financial insights.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Expect to be asked about your experience with financial modelling and analysis. Bring specific examples of projects where your analysis led to significant improvements or insights. If you have experience with tools like Microsoft Power BI, make sure to mention it!
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
You might face scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving abilities. Think about potential financial issues a law firm might encounter and how you would address them. This will show your proactive approach and understanding of the legal sector's unique challenges.