Manager - International Projects - Finance

Job Description

The function is at the forefront of managing the firm’s strategic international expansion programme by taking the finance lead on key international projects. The international expansion programme could take a number of forms, including organic growth through new office opening, acquisitions or developing an existing service delivery line into single or multiple new jurisdictions. The manager will work alongside the head of to embed each project into the business and once successfully integrated facilitate a seamless handover to the business as usual teams. The manager will have the opportunity to work both within a team environment and be assigned tasks on an autonomous basis. 
Each project is individual in nature offering both a unique set of rewards and challenges. The possession of an Agile mindset is utmost. Teamwork is also key, working collaboratively with colleagues across a number of teams to deliver results. The function can also from time to time work on one-off pieces of investment analysis requiring collaboration with senior stakeholders. 
This is a great opportunity for someone who is delivery focused, enjoys the challenge of working upon a variety of tasks and excited to embrace the opportunity to be part of a busy team

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To develop project plans and delivery timescales. Including identification of financial risks associated with each project and to maintain a risk register.
• Prepare investment estimates or draft business plans to provide critical financial analysis to assist senior stakeholders with making international investment decisions. This includes drafting investment presentations for Board approval, managing and reporting progress against the original investment cases.
• Performing research on a variety of financial topics whenever enter into a new territory or jurisdiction. Most importantly, the ability to practically apply the knowledge obtained into a tangible process or reporting application
• For new office openings, to work alongside the international development team, Head of Office and various teams to manage the financial set-up of the office. This encompasses all areas of the financial set-up from systems, operations, reporting, local compliance and training.
• For acquisitions, assist with financial due diligence through to deal completion. Post deal completion manage the financial integration end to end, including (but not limited to) co-ordination of system set-up, migration of accounting records and embedding the firm’s processes and procedures.
• For all new ventures (during the first year of trading)
• Assist with the recruitment / mentoring of the local finance team and co-ordination of training programme.
• Act as the single liaison point for all teams on financial related matters.
• Provide financial support, advice and training to the local partner/ lawyer teams on a variety of financial matters. Including the issue of ad hoc financial reports as requested.
• Regular review of the office trial balance ensuring all financial information is reported, reconciled and maintained in accordance with the firm’s policies and procedures.
• Work alongside the operational and treasury teams to embed financial processes and instil good working capital management practices.
• Work alongside the pricing teams to establish the office rate cards and strong commercial practices.
• Supporting the FR&C and FR&A teams with the annual budgeting and forecasting exercise in line with the office business and strategic plans.
• Assist with the preparation of the first year local annual statutory filings and any other ad hoc local statutory filings.  Including investigation of any local GAAP reporting requirements.
• Work closely with the partnership team to support with any partner invoicing and payments.
• Support payroll and HR teams with payroll and benefit in kind reporting.
• Co-ordination of VAT filings and working with the in-house tax team for all local tax compliance matters.
• Post integration assist with the drafting and implementation of handover plans with various finance stakeholders to ensure seamless handover to BAU teams.
• During periods when international activity is quieter, may be requested to assist with any ad hoc initiatives or projects. Projects will generally be linked to international process improvements and or automation.

Qualifications/ Experience

• Educated to degree level
• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA) with at least 5 yrs. PQE
• Demonstrable experience of working across a number of international jurisdictions, ideally gained within a large professional services organisation or a law firm. International experience could be obtained working in country, via secondment or within a UK headquartered international role
• Proven experience of working in varied and cross-functional teams

Key Skills

• Ability to multi task across a number of projects at different stages of their life cycle
• Analytical, investigative and critical thinking skills. The ability to navigate complex matters or material and translate them into more digestible practical workable solutions
• Excellent communicator, persuasive and tenacious, with proven ability to develop relationships at all levels across the firm
• Project management experience an advantage (but not essential)

At Pinsent Masons we value diversity and inclusion. We are committed to creating a better workplace where all our talent can succeed and feel like they belong. We want to attract, retain and develop people at all levels and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates whatever your ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability/ long term condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristics protected by local law in the jurisdictions in which we operate