Finance Systems Analyst - Graduate

Freshfields; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Manchester is looking for a team member to provide technical support for finance systems. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Responsibilities include administering support systems, collaborating on project developments, and assisting users with finance software issues. This role requires effective communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Qualifications

• Recently completed degree in a relevant field.
• Ability to quickly learn financial processes.
• Self-motivated with strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to finance systems users.
• Administer call logging and change control systems.
• Collaborate with development teams on system features.

Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Ability to learn financial terminology

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Team player

Education

Degree in Computing, Mathematics, Finance, Accounting, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

SQL or other coding languages

Job description

Role summary/purpose of job

Working within the systems area of the finance support department. You will be part of a team providing technical support to all of the global and UK-based finance support IT systems.

The team’s main focus is the firm’s practice management system (PMS), related fee earner tools and reporting systems for which it operates a helpdesk supporting a mixture of back office operational users through to fee earners on a worldwide basis, offering advice, support and solutions to queries.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Provide support to a variety of user issues via email, visit or phone call, providing solutions and escalating where required in order to provide an effective and intelligent helpdesk facility, delivering high service levels at all times.
• Administer the call logging and change control system and ensure that knowledge is documented and spread amongst the team
• Keeping users up to date with progress on their calls and change requests.
• Offer guidance to users on how to use the finance systems and escalating complex queries to the rest of the team.
• Work with both finance systems and IT teams to share information and advice on finance systems.
• Assist in working with external software providers for the finance systems, documenting and implementing fixes as appropriate.
• Help resolve system issues quickly, working with other support teams and continuously improving our knowledge base with new information.
• Support the rollout of new systems updates, features and overall systems changes from a finance perspective.
• Collaborate with development teams and external partners, providing feedback on issues found through testing and helping to coordinate their resolution.
• Participate in the building and releasing of new systems features with the development teams.
• Monitoring the reporting systems.
• Generating non-standard General Ledger and Sub-Ledger reports to users upon request.
• Involvement in other related projects that the wider team are undertaking.

Key requirements

• Essential Academic & Foundational Skills:
  • A recently completed degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant field such as Computing, Mathematics, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Financial skills:
  • Ability to quickly learn and apply financial terminology and concepts.
  • A foundational understanding of finance function processes and revenue recording.
• Systems skills including;
  • Extremely Computer literate
  • A strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including functions like pivot tables, VLOOKUPs).
• Task Management & Presentation Skills:
  • Self-motivated with a proactive approach and desire to learn and drive tasks to completion.
  • Enthusiastic and focused.
  • Ability to prioritise and work effectively under pressure.
  • Ability to multi task and contribute to multiple projects effectively.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a willingness to develop confidence in dealing with diverse stakeholders.
  • Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
  • A flexible attitude to tasks and to clients.
  • Strong numerical skills.
  • Positive can‑do attitude.
  • Team player – reliable, flexible and willing to help.

Desirable

• Some knowledge of SQL or other coding language.
• Familiarity with MS Power Apps and AI tools.
• Accounting training or qualification is advantageous.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of 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.