Senior financial analyst

Job description

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Senior financial analyst to join our Finance team, based in the A&O Shearman Belfast office.


Finance team - Belfast

Belfast Finance is part of the A&O Shearman Support Services Centre, which was founded in 2011 with the aim of offering support to the A&O Shearman network. The Finance function covers business support, management accounting, statutory reporting, working capital control, accounts payable and tax. Our approach is marked by a robust dedication to client service, and we pride ourselves on the high quality of work provided to the departments we support.

This role will sit within the Finance Business Support team and will be working alongside the Marketing, Risk and HR departments. The successful candidate will provide strong financial insight into each department, translating financial data into clear, actionable recommendations, enabling alignment with the firm’s financial objectives. This role requires a proactive individual with a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to influence and collaborate with senior management and cross-functional teams.



What you will do

• Act as finance business support for the global Marketing, Risk and HR departments and its management teams, including department Heads and Senior Managers

• Become a trusted advisor to the departments, understanding their financial and operational objectives and provide financial analysis, insight and recommendations to support decision making

• Identify financial risks and opportunities within the departments and propose remediation actions in a clear and concise manner for non-finance stakeholders

• Complete the monthly management reporting of performance against budget, including presentation to senior management, communicating key variances and the underlying story

• Support the financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with corporate guidelines and timely approval from senior management

• Support the Finance Manager of the Finance Business Support team, ensuring budget holders and managers have an awareness of financial performance requirements, including the need for budgetary control and adherence to accounting policies, and to provide financial awareness training where necessary

• Work closely with other Finance teams such as Management Accounting and Accounts Payable to ensure accurate financial reporting

What you will have

• Degree in finance, accounting or related field

• Professional accounting qualification, with a minimum of two years’ relevant experience gained in industry

• Strong commercial insight, ability to understand business drivers, market trends, and how operational activity translates into financial performance.

• Experience of working with non-Finance stakeholders is preferred, particularly in a global environment

• Ability to deliver high quality client service by building strong trusted advisor relationships with clients and senior management

• Good communicator, able to translate financial information in a clear and concise manner

• Ability to work independently and prioritise multiple projects

What we can offer you
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We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.​

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We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work,  helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to  an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.