Finance Manager

Term: Permanent

Reports to: Head of Finance (UK&I)/ Dublin Office Managing Partner

Practice group: Finance

Location: Dublin

Reference no: 4088

Purpose of role

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as Finance Manager for the rapidly growing Dentons Ireland Office, responsible for the management and statutory reporting for two legal entities – Dentons Ireland LLP and Dentons Ireland Legal Services Ltd. The role holder will be responsible for managing the financial and management reporting, VAT and other tax reporting, as well as working closely with the key business services stakeholders to ensure that Dublin continues to build on its hugely successful start.  The role will be responsible for ensuring that the audit is delivered on time and ensure that the business adheres to Irish Law Society client money rules and that regulatory reporting requirements are met.  The role will work closely with the UK finance team to implement appropriate best-in-class processes to ensure a high quality of service is provided to our business in the course of its implementation of its strategic growth plans.

This is a key role in a rapidly growing business which will proactively manage the entities' regulatory and internal reporting, deal with partner payments, provide assistance to the management team in relation to future strategy and provide the liaison between the Dublin office and the finance support teams based in the UK and Poland.

Responsibilities

• In addition to managing the day-to-day workload and service provided by their supporting team and our external advisors, the main duties and responsibilities for the role are as follows:
• Preparation of annual financial accounts for both local tax and the firm's reporting purposes in accordance with agreed timetables.
• To prepare monthly reconciliations to support the financial records held in Elite/3E.
• To be responsible for ensuring that there are appropriate internal controls in place to protect the assets of the firm.
• To prepare the monthly management accounts of the office including pre-month-end journals and post-month-end reporting.
• To work with the Office Managing Partner and Finance Consultant to prepare the annual budgets for the office.
• To provide support to the office Managing Partner / Head of Finance (UK&I) / Finance Consultant regarding ad hoc initiatives and projects.
• To review all bank reconciliations (office and client) on a monthly basis.
• Ensure that Irish Law Society client money rules are followed and work with the UK & Ireland Cashiers Manager to ensure reporting deadlines are met and residual balances are returned.
• Preparation of the annual and semi-annual accounts required under the Solicitors’ Regulations, including resolution of any queries or issues.
• To liaise with the firm's auditors and provide information and support as required.
• To provide information to and work closely with the UK management accounts team to assist as necessary with the financial management of the firm.
• To prepare rolling cash flow forecasts, investigate variances in actual cash flow as compared to the forecast.
• To prepare and agree on inter-office bills or recharges to/from UK and other UKIME offices.
• To work with the Revenue Manager (UK&I) and Credit Control Manager (UK&I) to ensure timely time recording, processing of client invoices and issuing of bills and collection of cash.
• Monitoring WIP and Debtor Lock-Up levels and working with Partners to understand and resolve any sub-optimal performance or adverse trends.
• Building partnerships and strong relationships within the Business and Practice Groups providing proactive support to financial management and commercial decision-making.
• To work with the AP team to ensure timely processing of supplier invoices and disbursement invoices and assist with queries from suppliers.
• To work with the Office Manager and UKIME procurement team to review key contracts and ensure the office is receiving value for money from its key suppliers.
• To prepare the Group VAT return for the two Irish entities and ensure timely payment of VAT and completion of related sales listings.
• To assist the tax team with transfer pricing analysis.
• Payment on account of tax, social and labor charges as required by Irish tax authorities.
• Assisting with the provision of information as required by partners and fee earners for their personal income tax returns.
• To work with the UKIME in-house tax team and external advisors to agree on tax computations and tax filings.
• To work with the UK Financial accounts team to ensure payment of partner drawings, partner distributions, director's salaries and director's pension contributions.
• To manage, appraise and develop other accounting team personnel (if and when the local team expands).
• Continually review financial accounting and reporting processes and controls with a view to identifying and capturing any operational efficiency gains.
• Participate in finance and other ad hoc projects as assigned.

Required experience, skills and attributes

• Fully qualified ACA/ACCA.
• Excellent Excel skills (including charts and pivot tables).
• Knowledge of Elite/3E would be an advantage.
• Sound working knowledge of databases and Word and Powerpoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Methodical approach to work with a strong focus on accuracy.
• Can clearly explain problems and issues to others and contribute to their resolution.
• Able to prioritise and multi-task particularly when working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Collaborative with an ability to interact positively at all levels and a good team player.
• Able to demonstrate excellent customer facing skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.
• Can demonstrate confidence and resilience to overcome obstacles to deliver what is required.
• Can demonstrate initiative and the ability to be proactive.
• Hardworking and enthusiastic approach to work; professional in outlook, attitude and appearance.
• Proactive with a "can-do" attitude in all areas, with a strong sense of self-motivation.
• Understands the need for documentation and well-defined procedures.
• Experience of dealing with partners and senior management.
• Experience of working in a law firm or a professional services environment.
• Knowledge of Irish Solicitors' Accounts Rules and client monies rules.

Firm Profile

Dentons is the world's largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons is a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index, a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner and recognized by prominent business and legal publications for its innovations in client service, including founding Nextlaw Labs and the Nextlaw Global Referral Network. Dentons' polycentric approach and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client interests in the communities in which we live and work.  www.dentons.com

We undertake and support a number of internal and external initiatives aimed at increasing diversity within the profession and we encourage all our partners and staff to get involved. We welcome you to learn more about diversity and inclusion at Dentons. Inclusion and Diversity

Equal Opportunities

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and support those in the workplace who have a disability. During the application process, any applicant has the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments they may require during the application process. Any disability disclosure will be dealt with confidentially and sensitively and if you want to speak directly to a member of our team, please email recruitment.matters@dentons.com. 

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand please email recruitment.matters@dentons.com – Enquiries only please, applications will not be accepted via email.

Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.