Commercial Finance Analyst (12 Month FTC)

TN United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Commercial Finance Analyst for a 12-month fixed-term contract in London. This exciting role involves working closely with senior stakeholders to enhance working capital management and business planning capabilities. You will be at the forefront of delivering financial insights and supporting strategic decisions that drive long-term growth. Join a dynamic team that values collaboration and innovation, and take this opportunity to make a significant impact while advancing your career in one of the world's leading financial hubs.

Qualifications

• Experience in business partnering within professional services.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to provide data-driven insights.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end working capital cycle and support billing processes.
• Provide commercial finance insight to stakeholders for P&L performance.

Skills

Business Partnering

Data Analysis

Communication Skills

Knowledge of Legal Market

Education

Degree in Finance or Related Field

Job description

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Commercial Finance Analyst (12 Month FTC), London

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Client:

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Finance

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

Job Views:

4

Posted:

02.05.2025

Expiry Date:

16.06.2025

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Job Description:

Role summary/purpose of job

The primary purpose of the Commercial Finance Analyst role will be to work as part of the commercial finance team, ensuring tasks are performed in line with process guidelines and developing knowledge to support development of advisory capabilities.

The Commercial Finance Analyst will deliver the global commercial finance business partnering processes as set by the Global Head of Commercial Finance to improve the firm’s working capital management, business planning capabilities and expert finance advisory services, working in close collaboration with senior internal stakeholders to position the firm for the future and manage P&L performance.

Location Overview: London

Our London office is at the heart of our global network, in one of the most exciting world cities. London is arguably the world’s greatest financial centre: all the world’s leading financial institutions have a significant presence here. It is home to the headquarters of more than 100 of Europe’s largest companies.

Our London team has a reputation that is second to none. They are the team the world’s leading businesses turn to for help with their most challenging problems. They work with colleagues around the world on complex, cross-border deals, and disputes. Whether you join as a lawyer, a recent graduate or in a business services role, London is a great place to work.

You will have the opportunity to work on challenging, engaging work that will give you the opportunity to make your mark and progress your career. We believe there is no better place to work.

Function Overview

The global Finance function ensures robust financial control across our global operations, whilst partnering with the firm as a valued commercial advisor, influencing strategic decision making and driving long term profitable growth for the firm.

We achieve our vision with all our people working collaboratively with a shared culture and identifying themselves as part of one inclusive Global Finance team.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

Working Capital Management

Supports delivery of targets in designated area of responsibility for the end-to-end working capital cycle ensuring timely updates are provided to team management on critical areas including time recording, WIP conversion and cash collection and ensuring that corrective action is taken where required. Responsibilities may include:

WIP and debt management including liaising directly with clients, partners, fee earners, assistants as needed.

Providing direct support to allocated partners in co-ordinating their billing and credit control requirements.

Dealing with all aspects of client queries regarding invoiced fees, accruals, or any other detail information as required.

Dealing with complex billing requirements including multi-jurisdiction, multi-practice group, e-Billing requirements and any other specific client billing needs as they evolve.

Support with monitoring the performance of the Global Shared Services team against SLAs and KPIs to ensure timely processing of transactions, working with finance colleagues to deliver process improvements where there is impact on practice group processes

Business insight and advisory

Supports the development and maintenance of key stakeholder relationships and the provision of commercial finance insight and guidance and ensuring that the strategy, plan, and financial performance criteria are delivered to maximise the Practice Group’s financial performance

Provides analysis that supports the advice and guidance provided to stakeholders on P&L performance including practice group performance reporting and highlighting areas of improvement.

Maintains an outward focus through a developing networking and business research

Working closely with the wider Finance team to ensure a well-rounded knowledge of strategic issues impacting the firm’s financial risk profile promoting and, where appropriate, enforcing financial policy

Business planning and projects

Supports team management with setting and monitoring practice group P&L budget and forecast, challenging assumptions where appropriate

Support the commercial finance team with analysis on resource management for practice groups, providing supporting information to determine appropriate size and shape of practice and overall equity profile

Collaborates with Finance and other Business Services teams to ensure service delivery and SLAs are delivered for the Practice Group.

Support the design and delivery of Finance projects as required and champion continuous improvement to support the delivery of the firm and function strategy

Key requirements

Essential

Experience of business partnering, and provision of data driven analysis and insight in a professional services firm

Knowledge of the legal market, products, and services

Experience of working within a matrix structure and a Global Shared Services environment

Ability to communicate clearly at all levels

Desirable

Experience of working within a leading international professional services firm

Freshfields Overview

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it most matters, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,400 lawyers in 28 offices around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments.

Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams. Our culture is a product of the combined mindsets and behaviours of our people which is through the Being Freshfields principles, outlined below:

we show respect to everyone

we are there for one another

we are open with each other

we are positive role models

We think and work globally - we do not just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work is not just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.

We aim to add value in everything we do - we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.

Freshfields is committed to promoting equality and diversity and to developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds make important and positive contributions to our business and how we service our clients.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered based on their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer.We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case-by-case basis and take a number of factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence).You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.