Financial, Planning & Analysis Analyst

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.

We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package

Our finance team are committed to providing an efficient and accurate service to our legal advisors and to other support functions.  At the centre of this is ensuring that the client and office accounts are kept up to date and invoices are produced accurately and in a timely manner.

We are looking for a FP&A Analyst to join our Finance team in Northampton on a 12 month FTC.

Working closely with operational division(s) to assist delivery of strategic goals:

• Month-end reporting of actual results, KPIs and accompanying commentary
• Variance analysis against budget and/or forecast with explanation of key differences
• Prepare and deliver annual budgets & regular forecasting and planning with appropriate explanatory notes
• Scenario modelling & analysis of business impacts / opportunities to project long-term growth.
• Including the creation of bespoke models, whilst developing & maintaining existing models
• Communicating risks and opportunities with suggestions for remedial action
• Preparing visualisations and tables to present complex data in an easy-to-understand format
• Profitability analyses for all aspects of the business
• Ad hoc reports and analysis including ‘Deep Dives’

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Liaise with Finance, Partners and Operational & Directorate staff to provide support, information & resolve queries
• Support the Head of FP&A, Financial Controller & CFO as required. Assisting the other Analysts within the team and working alongside the Reporting Analysts
• Review output and deliver required reports to tight deadlines whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy

• Advanced Excel skills
• Strong analytical ability
• Self-starter, able to work on own initiative but a team player willing to get involved in anything from processing invoices to complex forecasting
• Able to integrate within a team easily and quickly
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate yourself clearly and effectively using any method
• Able to present data and statistics in an easy to read logical manner
• Attention to detail, whilst being able to visualise big picture
• High level of commercial acumen
• Forecasting, budgeting and modelling practical experience
• Qualified CIMA or ACCA
• Legal sector or Professional Services experience preferred but not essential
• SAP and Analysis for Office experience preferred but not essential

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

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