Management Accountant

A&O Shearman; Royal Hillsborough; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A&O Shearman in Belfast is seeking a Management Accountant to join the Financial Control team. The role focuses on UK offices and involves monthly closing, variance analysis, budgeting and supporting audits.

You will work with the Team Lead to ensure accurate reporting, strong controls, and clear communication of financial information to senior stakeholders. The position is based in Belfast with a focus on timely, high-quality financial deliverables.

Qualifications

• Member of a recognised professional accounting body (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Up to 3 years post-qualification experience in a professional services or comparable environment.
• Strong time management and ability to meet tight reporting deadlines.
• Able to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support in the monthly management accounting for UK offices, including P&L and balance sheet preparation to timetable.
• Produce accurate monthly results, post journals, review costs, and explain variances.
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations and investigate movements.
• Prepare monthly variance analysis vs budget/forecast with key driver explanations.
• Assist budgeting and forecasting cycles with quality budget assumptions.
• Ensure strong financial control and data integrity in systems and policies.
• Contribute to audits by preparing schedules and supporting year-end close.
• Identify process improvements to boost efficiency and quality of information.
• Collaborate with Team Lead and Financial Control to support broader finance initiatives.

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Management Accountant to join our Financial Control team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast Office.

Financial Control team - Belfast

The Belfast Financial Control Department provides services to the A&O Shearman network of offices covering management and financial accounting & reporting. Offices currently served are London, Belfast, Ireland, US, Middle East and Netherlands.

There is a strong client service ethic, and we work to Service Level Agreements, targets and deadlines to deliver in line with client expectations.

This role will primarily have a UK focus and be based in Belfast.

What you will do

• Support in the preparation of the monthly management accounting for the UK offices, including preparation and review of the P&L and balance sheet to agreed timetables.
• Produce accurate monthly results, posting journals, reviewing costs, and ensuring all balances are fully supported, understood, and explained.
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations, investigate movements, resolve reconciling items, and ensure timely clearance of aged balances.
• Prepare monthly variance analysis versus budget and forecast, clearly explaining key drivers, ensuring a timely and high-quality P&L signoff.
• Support management team in the budgeting and forecasting cycles, by preparing high-quality budget assumptions built on measurable data
• Ensure strong financial control, maintaining accurate data in finance and forecasting systems and adhering to internal control and accounting policies.
• Contribute to the statutory and group audit process, preparing audit-ready schedules, responding to queries, and supporting the year-end close.
• Identify and implement process improvements, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce manual effort, and enhance the quality of management information.
• Work closely with the Team Lead and Financial Control team, supporting wider finance initiatives and contributing to value-adding analysis and insight.
• Communicate financial information clearly and confidently to non-finance stakeholders, adapting messages to suit the audience.
• Manage competing priorities across month-end, forecasting, and BAU activity, escalating issues early where delivery or quality may be impacted

What you will have

• Member of a recognised professional accounting body (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), with up to 3 years post-qualification experience in a professional services or comparable environment.
• Demonstrates strong time management skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and adopt a flexible approach to meet tight reporting deadlines.
• Proven ability to prioritise workloads and manage multiple tasks concurrently within a fast-paced environment, responding effectively to shifting priorities and ad-hoc management requests.
• Ability to deliver high-quality client service through the development of strong, trusted-advisor relationships with key stakeholders, clients, and senior management.
• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to develop meaningful, well-reasoned points of view and provide clear, actionable insight.
• Self-motivated and solution-driven, with the ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and consistently deliver work to a high standard.

What we can offer you

To learn more about the culture and benefits available at A&O Shearman, please visit: Culture and benefits A&O Shearman careers

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.