Financial Analyst (12 month Fixed Term Contract)

Stephenson Harwood LLC; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm is seeking a Fixed-term Financial Analyst in London. The role includes budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and engaging with practice groups. Ideal candidates will be qualified accountants with experience in financial analysis and strong Excel skills. Join a collaborative team where diversity and inclusion are prioritized.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Life assurance and private health care

Family-friendly policies

Gym discounts and flexible benefits

One day off for charity volunteering

Wellbeing strategy support

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience in FP&A or financial analysis, ideally within legal or professional services.
• Strong Excel skills; experience with BI tools desirable.
• Excellent analytical skills with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Communicate complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
• Build trust and rapport with partners and employees.

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation of practice group budgets and forecasts.
• Review practice group financial performance against budget.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Engage with practice group leaders on financial performance.

Skills

Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA or equivalent)

Experience in FP&A or financial analysis

Strong Excel skills

Excellent analytical skills

Ability to work under pressure

Communicate complex financial data clearly

Collaborative approach

Tools

Business Intelligence tools

Job description

What we will offer

If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact [e-mail].

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can gain early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. You can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all‑round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

YOU CAN EXPECT

• A competitive salary and a host of family‑friendly policies.
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family.
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers.
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes.
• We support the causes you care about, by giving you one day per year off to volunteer with any charity that you are involved with outside of work.
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
• We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

Team Structure

This is a fixed‑term contract for a Financial Analyst, reporting to the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis. The FP&A team works collaboratively with the wider Finance department (Management Accounts, Pricing), Business Services teams (e.g. Finance Systems, HR) and Practice Groups. The role provides the opportunity to engage closely with the business by providing timely, accurate and insightful financial analysis.

Main Responsibilities

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Support the preparation of practice group budgets and forecasts, working closely with group leaders to validate assumptions.
• Assist with the overall firm‑wide budget process, including planning, preparation, and review.
• Maintain and update budget templates and ensure consistency across all submissions.

Financial Analysis

• Review practice group financial performance against budget and prior year, focusing on income drivers and profitability metrics.
• Gather and consolidate large data sets from multiple sources; assist in preparing clear summaries that are tailored to support decision‑making.

Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for various stakeholders; ensure reports are accurate and timely.
• Drive efficiencies through automation of existing financial reports.
• Support the Project Accountant with testing and validation of newly developed and updated reports.

Business Partnering

• Engage with practice group leaders on a quarterly basis to review financial performance, discuss variances, and gather frontline insights.
• Produce and deliver presentations to practice groups, including financial updates and information on financial hygiene best practices.
• Work closely with HR to monitor and report on fee earner utilisation.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience in FP&A or financial analysis, ideally within legal or professional services.
• Strong Excel skills; experience with BI tools desirable.
• Excellent analytical skills with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Communicate complex financial data clearly to non‑financial stakeholders.
• Can build trust and rapport with partners and employees throughout the firm, including senior leaders.
• Collaborative approach to delivering work.

About the Firm

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we’re committed to creating ‘positive partnerships’ with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever‑changing world.

Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.

With more than 1,400 people, including 210+ partners, across eight offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high‑quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high‑calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from under‑represented demographics.

Our brand strengths

GO FAR, GO TOGETHER

EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW

CAN DO PERSONALITIES

ALWAYS READY