Finance Analyst

Description

Do you enjoy getting to the bottom of a problem? We are looking for a hands-on Finance Analyst to join our Finance team. You’ll combine systems problem-solving with accurate reporting and core accounting, keeping billing running smoothly and making our management information clear and reliable.

In a typical week, you might be asked:

• “This bill isn’t working; find out why” You’ll go into the system, trace the data and the process, work out what’s wrong and fix it or explain what needs to happen
• “Here’s the bank account; reconcile it.”
• “Here’s the WIP and debtors’ data; turn it into a useful report.”

That mix of systems curiosity, reporting skills and accounting accuracy matters more to us than any particular qualification.

You will report to the Finance Manager and join a team focused on a faster month end, stronger controls and better management information.

Key Responsibilities

• Billing and systems support: resolve billing queries and system/data issues, working with billers, fee earners and support teams to improve billing processes and system use
• Reporting and analysis: produce regular WIP, debtor, revenue and billing reports; deliver ad hoc analysis for the Finance Director/Finance Manager; support budgeting, forecasting and management information
• Accounting and month end: carry out bank and balance sheet reconciliations, assist with month end journals and management accounts, and maintain accurate financial records and schedules
• Projects and improvement: support finance projects and system/process changes, helping to automate reporting and embed new processes and controls

Our Systems:
Safe Intacct (general ledger), Equinox (practice management, time recording and billing), Excel and SharePoint. We are also introducing Power BI for WIP and debt reporting.

What you will need:

• 2–5 years’ relevant finance experience
• Strong Excel skills, including working with large data sets
• Comfortable working with finance systems and investigating system/data issues
• Experience of reconciliations and month-end accounting
• An understanding of WIP, billing, debtors and revenue
• The ability to produce, manipulate and present financial reports
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Confidence communicating with non-finance colleagues, including fee earners

It would be great if you also have:

• AAT qualification, or part-qualified CIMA or ACCA
• Professional services experience, including time-based billing and WIP
• Experience of Safe Intacct or a similar ERP system
• Experience of Equinox or another practice management or time and billing system
• Experience of Power BI or similar reporting tools
• Budgeting and forecasting experience

Benefits

We pride ourselves on being small and friendly enough for you to get to know everyone – but big enough to offer you great career prospects. At Appleyard Lees, you won’t feel like a number or just another cog in the wheel. We understand everyone is individual and offer a friendly and supportive place to work and learn.

We also offer:

• 34 hour working week, Monday – Friday
• Hybrid working
• A supportive and friendly place to work and learn
• Annual salary review
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Salary Exchange
• Life assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan & Wellbeing App
• Group Income Protection
• Long Service Milestones
• Social outings
• Vouchers on Christmas, birthdays and special occasions
• Charity events

About Appleyard Lees

Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm with approximately seventy patent and trade mark attorneys and litigators across offices in Halifax, Leeds, Manchester, and Cambridge.

We provide a full range of intellectual property (IP) services covering patents, trade marks, designs and copyright in the UK, Europe and worldwide. We use our technical and legal skills, and many years of experience, to identify and protect IP assets and to uncover and eliminate the risks posed by other people’s IP rights.

Who we are, and what we do – but also, how we do it – makes us distinctive.

Our clients include some of the world’s most exciting innovators, largest companies, and household names, with a number of clients obtaining Fortune 500, Fortune Global 2000, FTSE 100, FTSE 250, and Forbes Global 2000 status. Our clients operate across a diverse collection of industries, including chemicals, retail, consumer goods, electronics, software, bio and life sciences, pharmaceuticals, metals, and heavy industry, higher education, and hospitality, leisure, and tourism.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) has always been part of the core values of Appleyard Lees. To us, diversity is not just a box-ticking exercise, it is a core part of our firm’s values . Diversity of people means diversity of ideas and perspectives, and these allow us to be more creative and flexible as a business.

We welcome the unique contribution that a diverse workforce will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.