Finance Systems Business Analyst Graduate

Freshfields; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A major international law firm in the UK seeks a finance systems analyst to bridge Finance and Technology. The role involves analyzing various finance systems, supporting finance initiatives, and optimizing technology integration. Candidates should have a relevant degree and strong skills in Excel and financial processes. The firm promotes diversity and inclusion, valuing contributions from various backgrounds.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Ability to learn and apply financial concepts quickly.
• Extremely computer literate.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Translate business requirements into technology solutions.
• Support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) processes.
• Assist in designing solutions for complex queries.

Skills

Financial terminology understanding

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Strong numerical skills

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Proactive attitude

Team player

Education

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

Tools

SQL

MS Power Apps

Job description

Role Summary

Working within the systems area of the finance support department you will act as a crucial link between Finance and Technology. You will contribute to the understanding analysis design implementation and enhancement of various finance and time recording systems across the firm. This role involves analysing the functionality of existing and new systems their integration with other platforms like 3E Intapp Walls Workday HR and reporting systems ensuring they meet business needs and contribute to operational efficiency.

Working with the Finance Systems Change Manager and Business Analyst you will support various finance systems initiatives working closely with both finance and IT teams. This includes helping to define business requirements identifying system impacts and assisting in the review of technical designs and functional solutions. You will liaise with stakeholders across the Finance and Legal functions to help optimise the use of finance systems and contribute to analysis demonstrating successful system adoption and improvements.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

• Assist in translating business requirements into support processes and technology solutions.
• Contribute to writing change specifications and providing input on application functional design.
• Support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) processes for new or updated finance systems and collating test and defect evidence.
• Assist in investigating issues faced within finance and time‑recording applications helping to ascertain feasibility scalability and business impact of proposed solutions.
• Support the delivery of small projects or specific workstreams within larger system initiatives.
• Assist in designing solutions to complex queries and collaborate with the development team to ensure timely implementation.
• Examine existing operational processes within various finance and time‑recording systems to document the current state and recommend improvements to interfaces and processes for increased efficiency.
• Support the understanding of systems used in the Firm for timesheet fee earner and general finance reporting helping to maintain consistency and accuracy of reporting.
• Contribute to documentation and understanding of the causality of reported information and its impact on downstream systems including the 3e Practice Management System and reporting Cube.
• Assist the Finance Systems Test Coordinator in the creation of test scenarios review and execution of test scripts when needed.
• Contribute to writing system documentation and work with IT trainers to construct training materials for end‑users as well as documenting support processes for the FS team to manage applications.

Key Requirements

Essential

• A recently completed degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant field such as Computing, Mathematics, Finance, Accounting or a related discipline.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply financial terminology and concepts.
• A foundational understanding of finance function processes and revenue recording.
• Extremely computer literate.
• A strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including functions like pivot tables, VLOOKUP).
• 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.

About Freshfields

Freshfields 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 2400 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 dont 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 isnt 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 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 & Equal Opportunities

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 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.