Financial Accountant

We are looking for a Financial Accountant To support the group finance function in controlling the Firm’s balance sheet, delivering annual statutory reporting and audit compliance, co-ordinating month end postings and other ad hoc tasks as required.

About CMS

CMS is a Future Facing firm. With 75 offices in 43 countries and 4,800+ lawyers worldwide, we combine deep sector understanding with a global overview, giving us the ability not only to see what's coming, but to shape it.

CMS is well equipped to help our clients face the future with confidence. We are driven by technology and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of delivering legal services. Our bold approach to a changing future ensures that we nurture our employees and recruit top talent.

About the Role

Key Responsibilities:

 Responsible for controlling UK balance sheet reconciliations as part of the financial accounting subteam, ensuring all deliverables are consistently met.
 Preparing, coordinating, and challenging legal entity balance sheet reconciliations.
 Ensuring all balance sheet accounts and inter-company balances are routinely reconciled, analysed, and fully substantiated in both Unit and Firm reporting currencies.
 Majorly contribute towards the revamping of working papers, controls, processes, and existing financial models around new software and medium-term governance reform.
 Ensuring group fixed assets and investments are properly recorded and depreciated in accordance with group accounting policies and processes.
 Preparation of monthly group depreciation journal adjustments from local to group policy.
 Routine preparation and filing of ONS capital expenditure and business surveys.
 Monthly reconciliation of sub-ledger control account balances to the general ledger.
 Preparing month end journals in conjunction with the wider group accounting team.
 Co-ordination and delivery of interim and final work-in-progress valuation exercises.
 Preparing statutory financial statements and applicable notes in accordance with FRS102.
 Collating and providing information requests as part of the year end audit process.
 Liaising with global finance teams to ensure timely coordination and actioning of tasks.
 Supporting the team as required, providing cover for team members in times of absence.
 Have a full understanding of all procedures and systems in place – “roll sleeves up” and help the team when necessary.
 Maintaining good relationships with other departments in the business.

About You

Experience:

 Prior experience in a group accounting / financial control role (essential)
 Good analytical and MS Excel skills (essential)
 Good practical knowledge of UK GAAP / FRS102 (essential)
 Experience of Elite 3E and SAP Business Objects (desirable)

Key Competencies:

 Good planning and organisational skills with the ability to operate independently.
 Able to discuss and present issues in a confident, professional and appropriate way.
 Good understanding of financial controls and practical application of policies.
 Self-motivated with a flexible approach to workload, persevering to get the job done.
 Disciplined working under pressure, a team player diligent and reliable in nature.
 Hands-on and proactive with a positive “can do” approach.
 Pride in producing high quality, accurate and timely information.
 Well organised with determination to meet agreed deadlines.
 Good communication skills and the ability to deal with non-finance related personnel.

Qualifications:

 Newly Qualified Accountant – ICAS, ACA, ACCA or Equivalent (essential)
 Have a relevant degree in finance and accounting

Equal Opportunities

At CMS, a next-generation mindset is woven into all we do. We're diverse, supportive and inclusive, embracing our corporate social responsibility and creating a culture of sustainability in which every one of our people, whatever their background, can maximise their potential and thrive. For further information about CMS' diversity initiatives and programmes, please view the Diversity & Inclusion pages on our website.

Please apply online or contact a member of the Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions. For information regarding our competitive range of benefits please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Please note that CMS have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.

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