Commercial Finance Analyst

Bates Wells; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Bates Wells as a Commercial Finance Analyst, where you will drive the growth of a sustainable finance function. Collaborate with various teams while benefiting from a flexible, impact-driven workplace that champions diversity and innovation.

Benefits

Green pensions

IVF support

Private healthcare

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Minimum two years' experience in commercial finance or similar.
• Proficient in Excel (formulas, lookups, pivot tables).
• Basic grounding in SQL preferred.

Responsibilities

• Extract and analyze financial data across clients and matters.
• Draft pricing proposals and maintain pricing tools.
• Support annual rates review and manage communication.

Skills

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Organisational skills

Agility

Education

CIMA or ACCA part-qualification (or working towards)

Tools

MS Office

Power BI

Job description

Commercial Finance Analyst

Department: Practice Management

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London

Description

Join our Practice Management team to help grow our commercial finance function and drive profitable, sustainable income. You'll work closely with lawyers and business teams, applying commercial thinking in a pragmatic, creative, and collaborative way.

You'll have a background in commercial finance, FP&A, budgeting, or broader finance - ideally from a law firm or similar professional services setting. Pricing experience is a bonus but not essential, with full training provided. This role offers varied, intellectually stimulating work with strong development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Collaborating with colleagues across Commercial Finance, Finance, Business Development, and Marketing, you will:

Data Analysis & Modelling

• Extract, analyse, and model financial data across clients, matters, and portfolios.
• Provide actionable insights to support financial decision-making and client relationship growth.

Pricing

• Draft pricing proposals and estimates for smaller matters.
• Support pricing on larger projects, ensuring working capital considerations are addressed.
• Maintain and improve pricing tools and templates, collaborating with lawyers to encourage best practice.

Rates Management & Alternative Fee Arrangements

• Set up and maintain charge and cost rates within the practice management system.
• Support the annual rates review process and manage communications and tracking.
• Assist in preparing proposals and reviews for alternative fee arrangements and retainers.

Matter Management Support

• Promote the use of budgeting and reporting tools for matter management.
• Deliver bespoke WIP (work-in-progress) reporting on complex matters.
• Share insights to identify and drive process improvements across the practice.

About You

Key experience

• You have at least two years' experience in commercial finance, FP&A, budgeting, or broader finance, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment.
• You are confident in analysing data to spot trends, build compelling narratives, and guide better decision-making.
• You have strong attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• You communicate clearly and collaborate effectively across functions and seniority levels.
• You bring an agile, flexible mindset with a proactive, pragmatic approach to challenges.
• You are comfortable questioning assumptions and contributing innovative ideas.
• You are proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel (including formulas, lookups, pivot tables).

It would be great if you also have:

• A basic grounding in SQL.
• Experience with Power BI or similar analytics tools.
• A basic understanding of legal pricing models, including AFAs.
• CIMA or ACCA part-qualification (or working towards).

Why Join Us?

Impact-Driven Purpose: We align profit with social purpose to create lasting positive impact for our people, communities,and planet.

Committed to the Climate: Through our Climate Programme, we reduce environmental impact and drive a just transition to net zero.

Championing Inclusion: We foster a diverse, inclusive culture where creativity and innovation thrive.

Flexible and Hybrid Working: Our hybrid model supports balance, with part-time options and at least two office days weekly.

Progressive Benefits: We offer green pensions, IVF support, private healthcare, and more for your well-being and growth.

At Bates Wells, equity, diversity, and inclusion are part of who we are and how we work. As a B Corp and purpose-driven law firm, we're committed to building a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and representative of all.