Senior Financial Accountant in Royal Tunbridge Wells

Our client is one of the leading law firms in the Southeast, and one of oldest law firms in operation in the world, with over 140 fee earners, their specialist practice areas include Commercial, Corporate, Employment, Construction, Real Estate and Agriculture & Rural Affairs

The Senior Financial Accountant is responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy and robustness of the firm’s financial reporting and financial control environment.

The role will lead the preparation of the LLP statutory accounts, coordinate the external audit process, maintain balance sheet integrity and enhance the quality of financial reporting and variance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the integrity of the firm’s financial records and ensure accurate and timely financial reporting through effective management of the general ledger and balance sheet.
• Lead the preparation of the firm’s statutory accounts and manage the annual external audit process.
• Take ownership of partner financial accounts, including capital balances, current accounts, drawings and tax reserves.
• Enhance the quality of financial insight through detailed variance analysis and support of management reporting.
• Support the improvement of financial processes, reporting systems and financial controls.
• Support delivery of the monthly financial close process.
• Review and post complex accounting journals including accruals, prepayments and adjustments.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and underlying accounting records.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of balance sheet reconciliations.
• Investigate and resolve reconciling items.
• Prepare supporting financial schedules for the monthly management accounts.
• Support the Finance Manager with financial commentary and analysis.
• Balance Sheet Integrity & Financial Controls
• Maintain strong financial controls over the firm’s balance sheet accounts.
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled monthly.
• Review reconciliations prepared by the Financial Accountant.
• Investigate unusual balances or movements.
• Maintain supporting documentation for key financial balances.
• Perform detailed variance analysis against budget, forecast and prior year.
• Investigate material movements in revenue, costs and profitability.
• Support preparation of financial commentary for the management accounts pack.
• Assist the Finance Manager and CFO in analysing departmental profitability.
• Support ad-hoc financial analysis and reporting requests.
• Lead the preparation of the firm’s annual statutory accounts.
• Prepare supporting schedules and working papers for the audit.
• Act as primary contact for external auditors during the audit process.
• Coordinate responses to audit queries.
• Manage audit timetable and ensure deadlines are met.
• Support preparation of information required for the partnership tax computation. Maintain accurate records of partner capital contributions and capital balances.
• Maintain partner current account balances including profit allocations, drawings and adjustments.
• Ensure accurate recording of partner drawings and distributions.
• Maintain records of partner tax reserve balances, including tax reserve allocations and releases.
• Assist in preparation of year-end partner profit allocations.
• Support financial administration relating to new partners, partner retirements or departures, capital adjustments, and changes in profit sharing arrangements.
• Provide backup support for payroll processing where required.
• Review payroll journals and ensure correct posting within the accounting system.
• Support reconciliation of payroll-related accounts including pensions and PAYE.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and reporting.
• Support improvements to financial reporting systems and automation.
• Assist with finance system upgrades or enhancements.
• Document financial processes and internal controls.
• Provide guidance and oversight to the Financial Accountant.
• Work collaboratively with the wider finance function including the Commercial Finance Accountant, Credit Control and Cashiering teams.
• Candidate Profile
• Experience preparing LLP statutory accounts and supporting external audits.
• Experience managing balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls.
• Experience within a professional service or law firm environment desirable.
• Experience with partnership accounting or partner balance management desirable.
• Strong financial reporting and general ledger expertise.
• Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables and data analysis.
• Experience working with accounting and practice management systems.
• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified (or equivalent).
• Strong technical accounting knowledge including UK GAAP / FRS 102 permanent vacancy on behalf of one of its clients.
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