Finance Systems Analyst

Job Title:                     Finance Systems Analyst

Reporting to:               Finance Systems Manager

Department:                 Finance Systems

Job Location:             London

Contract Type:             Permanent

The Firm

HFW is a sector focused global law firm.  We have over 500 lawyers working across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.  We take a progressive approach to our roles in commercial business – thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients.

Whether we are solving complex issues within the construction, aviation or shipping industries, or providing advice across insurance, commodities and energy we are specialist lawyers here to add value to our clients.  We think about the commercial solution first, and then underpin our advice with a solid foundation of legal expertise. 

The Role

Support for the maintenance and development of the existing finance systems.

Key Responsibilities

The role will be varied and will include:

• Assist front end users of finance systems in resolving posting errors and systems issues.
• Liaison between the Finance and IT Departments on finance systems' development projects.
• Deliver finance systems training to Finance staff in all offices.
• Promote, introduce and assist with implementing systems that benefit the Finance Department, fee earners and the wider firm.
• Maintain the data integrity of finance systems and its databases, including interfaces.
• Review, revise and document finance systems procedures and controls and align with firm-wide policies to ensure that they are efficient and effective in meeting the department's and firm's goals.
• Development of finance systems and implement procedures to ensure compliance and efficient use of systems.
• Generate standard and ad hoc reports via SQL and Reporting Services for the Finance Department and wider users within the firm.
• Customise front end Elite 3E reports and metrics and delivering to the specifications required by the Finance Department.
• Run appropriate reports at month end and at the firm-wide financial year end to ensure that Elite 3E reconciles between the control accounts and sub-ledgers, identifying differences and resolving these.
• Review and identify finance systems bugs and develop work-around solutions.
• Review, develop and maintain the security functionality within finance systems with particular emphasis on user defined access.
• Design bespoke templates for the Finance Department, to facilitate bulk uploads of Elite 3E system set ups and transactional information via the biz-talk interface.
• Assist with Elite 3E system audit processes and liaise with both the firms Internal Audit Department and external auditors.
• Provide support for the month end close of Elite 3E to strict deadlines.
• Maintain, review and enhance general and core finance system set ups and functionality.
• Participate in any future upgrade of finance systems.
• Any other ad hoc duties as may be required.

Key Skills & Experience Required

• Advanced knowledge of the front end functionality and logic of the Elite 3E financial management system essential;
• Advanced knowledge of the Elite 3E database tables and structure essential;
• Strong SQL skills essential;
• Knowledge of IntApp Time, IntApp Open and Chrome River required;
• Strong operational accounting background required;
• Experience with SSRS and Power BI is desirable;
• Fully conversant with Microsoft Office suite;
• Experience in finance system implementations, including data conversion and migration;
• Experience of different finance systems more specifically within the legal sector;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Experience of managing international / multi-location / multi-currency systems;
• Ability to inspire team members, together with the willingness to share knowledge and experience to build up skill levels across the Finance Department;
• Proven stakeholder management, demonstrating the ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure;
• Ability to work within a structured project framework with the ability to manage small projects from inception to delivery;
• Capable of building credibility, developing relationships and communicating with law firm managers by written and oral means;
• Happy to work as part of a team and contribute to collective goals.

Additional Information

Kindly note that this job description is not contractual.  It will be reviewed periodically and may be amended or altered to meet the needs of the firm.

No CVs submitted by recruitment agencies will be accepted for this role.

Due to the volume of applications, only those candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

HFW aims to ensure equality of opportunity and we are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff.  All applications will be considered only on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

HFW collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants to manage its recruitment process.  The firm is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.  For information on how the firm will process your data, please see our Privacy Notice on our website (www.hfw.com/Privacy-Notice), in the section "What we collect and how we use it".