Finance Business Partner

Brightwater • Full-time • Dublin, IE • €75k - €80k / year • 4d ago

My Client, based in central Dublin, is one of Ireland’s leading law firms. An international firm, with offices in Dublin, Belfast, London, New York and San Francisco, as it enters its second century, their partnerships continue to grow. Constant innovation allows them to service their clients in the best possible way

The Finance Business Partners work with their Business Services and Practice Groups providing financial information, tools, analysis, insight, and support to Leadership, challenging their thinking, helping them make and execute informed decisions which drive better financial performance.

The Finance Business Partner role is to provide ‘real time’ support and analysis, to be a trusted advisor and to participate in decision-making and controllership activities which will impact positively on financial performance and cash flow.

Key Responsibilities:

Preparation of monthly management reports, including insight, analysis and commentary on financial performance, performance trends and offering a perspective on any action required.
Preparation of annual and semi-annual plans and forecasts, including (i) the challenging and pushing the planned financial growth ambition of the relevant budget holder and (ii) pressure-testing the related planning assumptions from both an up- and down- side perspective.
Collaborating with users to enhance the impact, and understanding, of operational reporting vis-à-vis financial performance.
Present relevant financial information monthly at Dept. and Practice Group Leader meetings to build understanding of the business environment and the context for any key financial priorities.
Preparation of weekly operational reports – utilisation, billings and collections, WIP & AR – and calling out any actions required.
Monitoring WIP and Debtor Lock-Up levels and collaborating with Partners to understand and resolve any sub-optimal performance or adverse trends.
Introducing and enhancing commercial procedures to maintain and improve financial performance.
Building partnerships and strong relationships within the Business and Practice Groups providing proactive support to financial management and commercial decision making.
Providing periodic financial skills training to Business & Practice Groups with an emphasis on better understanding project/matter economics and the importance of financial hygiene.
Supporting the month end billing process, through coaching and trouble-shooting issues arising.
Dealing with and working through operational issues, including challenging current ways of working to deliver efficiencies, revenue enhancement and cost savings wherever possible.
Preparation of annual business cases for Practice Group promotions.
Other ad-hoc activities arising based on business needs.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise:

3rd level qualification in a related field, ACA / ACCA preferred.
Minimum 2-3 years’ experience working in the finance function of a professional services firm and/or with 3E Elite and Iridium BI software solutions would be advantageous.
Excellent analytical, technical and accounting skills
High level of commercial and business awareness
Calm and measured approach to problem solving
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
Client centric with strong relationship management experience.

Salary and benefits