Financial Accountant

Overview
Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognised for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data-driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals. To learn more about Houlihan Lokey, please visit HL.com.

Scope
Reporting to the Director, Accounting the Financial Accountant will be responsible for executing day-to-day financial operations for the EMEA region, encompassing journal entries, intragroup settlements, treasury support, bank reconciliations and lease process management. Additionally, the candidate will drive critical month- and quarter-end close activities, including trial balance preparation and VAT reporting, while collaborating cross-functionally to maintain robust financial controls. The role is based in the London office and involves working closely with the wider Accounting Team and global Real Estate team.

Responsibilities

• Daily/Weekly
  • Prepare journal entries for both recurring monthly transactions and one-off transactions.
  • Management of UK entity business rates, ensuring correct allocations, amounts and timely payment submissions (involves directly liaising with local authorities).
  • Assisting in the new vendor set up process with Accounts Processing team including review of the set up of bank account details in Oracle.
  • Prepare summaries by jurisdiction to facilitate regular and periodic settlements of intragroup payables and receivables including liaising with AP and AR teams to ensure the payments are settled in cash or set off on an as needs basis.
  • Assisting the Treasury Director, and Vice President, Accounting with preparation of treasury related workbooks and calculations, managing related bank transfers and preparation of the appropriate journals to record the transactions.
  • Respond to internal requests and questions, conducting research on more difficult inquiries as required.
  • Preparation of EMEA allocated bank reconciliations, including managing process of resolving any reconciling items.
• Lease Module
  • Managing the Oracle lease module and ensuring lease entries for EMEA entities comply with US GAAP, local GAAP and IFRS 16 accounting standards.
  • Regular meetings with the global Real Estate team to stay updated on EMEA leases, in order to identify any triggering events under ASC 842 (for new or modified leases).
  • Creating and amending lease schedules (in line with ASC 842, IFRS 16 and local GAAP) based on developments within the business lease portfolio.
  • Managing the calculation and posting of local lease entries to ensure the entries comply with local GAAP accounting standards.
  • Assisting the Accounts Payable team with correct coding of lease related invoices.
  • Reconciliation of all EMEA leases and posting of associated journals.
• Reporting
  • Prepare indirect tax returns (VAT) in line with local tax requirements for allocated EMEA.
• Month and Quarter Ends
  • Managing and communication of Accounting ERP system Chart of Accounts changes to the EMEA Accounting Team.
  • Preparation of trial balances for allocated Houlihan Lokey Group entities and posting of associated journals.
  • Reviewing the trial balance of each allocated entity to ensure balance sheet accounts are appropriately supported and updated, and analysing movements in the income statement to ensure these are in line, including (but not limited to) revenues, compensation costs, operating expenses.
  • Investigating variances and inquiries after review of the trial balance from the Director, Accounting and other senior management if required.
  • Preparing formal quarterly balance sheet reconciliations (including but not limited to EMEA prepayments, EMEA leases and EMEA vacation accruals).
  • Preparing calculations and posting journals for quarterly holiday accruals for all EMEA entities.
  • Preparing calculations and posting journals for quarterly EMEA rent recharges.
  • Preparation of quarterly corporate management fee workings.

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting / Commerce.
• Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Either fully qualified or studying toward ACCA / CIMA or equivalent qualification preferred.
• 2-3 years of working experience in accounting firm and/or as in-house accountant.

Preferred skills & competencies

• Public Accounting experience preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems preferred (Oracle or SAP).
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team where required.
• Must have the ability to multi-task and juggle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong team-oriented interpersonal skills; ability to effectively interface with management, employees, regulators and external auditors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills.
• Ability to effectively present information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.