Partnership Accountant

The Vacancy

The Firm

Fieldfisher is an ambitious and growing European law firm providing commercial solutions across a range of industry sectors. Servicing an impressive client base that includes big name brands and international businesses, the firm has over 250 partners, 700 other lawyers and nearly 600 support staff across offices in the UK and Internationally. The firm's revenue for 2024/25 was over £360 million.

Responsibilities

The role will sit within the Partnership Accounts team in the Finance department in our Belfast office. The remit of the team is to support all non-tax aspects of the firm's partnership accounting/partner finance function across the territories in which the firm operates. This includes the calculation and payment of partners' profit share (drawings & distributions), the management of partnership capital, and partnership capital loans. The role will include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Ownership of partner distributions and earnings, including:
  • Monthly drawings payments and account reconciliations
  • Preparation of drawings statements
  • Preparation and posting of journals
  • Partner benefits postings
  • Ensuring timely payments
• Partnership Capital/Capital Loans:
  • managing the annual capital contribution process
  • managing capital contributions, loans and repayments for new partners and retirees
  • managing relationships with the banks and legal advisers with regard to capital loan documentation
  • responsible for the maintenance and reconciliation of partners' capital GL accounts
  • reconciling interest and arranging loan interest payments to the firm's banks
• Ownership of the Partner joiner, mover and retiree processes ensuring a smooth transition. This includes:
  • preparing retirement calculations and resignation deed schedules
  • preparation of confirmation of earnings letters for partners' personal finance purposes
  • posting partner finance related journals in line with the firm's policies
  • preparing ad hoc reports to facilitate decision-making
• Responsible for managing partners CAF contributions
• Supporting the year end process:
  • assisting with the year-end audit / liaising with auditors
  • preparing year-end schedules to facilitate the production of the annual partner statements and disclosure in the firm's financial statements
• Providing support for ad-hoc project work, for example reconciliation of partner accounts
• Supporting the continued development and improvement of the team's processes
• Being the main point of contact for partners' profit and capital queries and introducing new partners to the process
• Liaise with the internal Partnership Tax team

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience of working as a Partnership Accountant
• Previous experience in a global organisation, preferably legal/professional services
• Must be a qualified accountant either ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
• Experienced with Microsoft Office (particularly Excel) and ability to adapt to unfamiliar software packages
• Good experience of seeking and implementing ways to improve on current processes
• Must have a conscientious, accurate and methodical approach to work
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, e.g. articulate when communicating to partners and key staff
• Can demonstrate strong relationship building skills with ability to deal with partners, fee earners and clients at all levels.
• A team player with a flexible and pro-active approach to work with the ability to work autonomously

Other Attributes

• Attention to detail
• Excellent planning and organising skills - able to handle multiple tasks
• Numerate

• Shows commitment to the role and team
• Pro-active mentality

• Displays a willingness to learn and actively seeks new work and challenges

• Takes personal responsibility for maintaining personal development

• Professional and credible in attitude and appearance

• Prepared to work overtime during peak periods

Who are we looking for?

• We don't have a type. We believe our differences are our strength; varied cultures, approaches and experience can only benefit us.

What do we offer?

• You can be yourself: It takes everyone to make us who we are. We're a culture of diverse perspectives, with each of us making unique contributions that make us better together.
• In the office or WFH?: We think the best balance is more time in the office than at home, so we operate a 60:40 rule.
• Beyond salary: We offer plenty of benefits; private medical insurance, health cash plan, dental insurance, life assurance, critical illness insurance, matched pension contributions up to 7%, holiday trading, plus many more. Visit: Reward & Benefits Fieldfisher .
• Modern Office Space: Located in the iconic Titanic Quarter with excellent commuter links and parking nearby.
• Nurturing your talent: Take a 'build a career' approach to your training. You'll be on a pathway but free to wander if you see something you'd like to study more closely.
• Funnel your interests: You have a life outside work, and we can help it to flourish. Join clubs, affinity networks, inclusive events, and pro bono/charity initiatives.

Inclusion is not exclusive:

If all our differences are highlighted, no one stands out for being different. At Fieldfisher, all our rich diversity is celebrated.

We will provide the equipment to allow you to shine, at interview and beyond. Just let us know what you need.

For accessibility information on our Belfast office, visit: Accessing Fieldfisher Belfast Hub Fieldfisher

What to do next:

• Click 'Apply Now', complete an online application and upload a CV.
• Successful applications will be invited to a 20-30-minute introductory call with a recruiter.
• Every role recruits differently. But we'll always let you know what to expect from the process, so you get no surprises.
• For hybrid opportunities, you'll be invited to visit our offices for a face-to-face meeting.
• We try to make sure the process takes around 2-3 weeks only, but we can't always promise that. We will work around everyone's availability. You can contact us at Anita.Mago .

We recruit on a rolling basis. Your application may be reviewed before the application deadline. We accept applications until we have filled the role.

To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process, click the Apply button below to Login/Register.

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