Group Finance Manager

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Group Finance Manager (Manager) to join our Finance team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast office. The Finance team - Belfast supports the firm’s strategy by managing compliance, providing information and insight, and advising decision-makers on commercial, financial, and technical matters.

• Lead the delivery of high-quality financial control and reporting across the Group, supporting decision-making through robust analysis and insight; maintain best practice and standards; drive continuous improvement; act as a trusted adviser to the global finance community.
• Lead the preparation and delivery of financial information to management and the partnership, ensuring accuracy and timeliness against tight deadlines, with high-quality analysis and commentary on trends and variances.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, including journals, reconciliations review, and Group reporting outputs, ensuring balance integrity through oversight of critical judgements and complex accounting areas.
• Manage elements of the Group year-end process, including financial statements for UK entities and disclosures.
• Prepare and review technical accounting papers, assess impact of new standards, and support implementation through training to the global finance network.
• Oversee cross-border intra-group balances and funding on a multi-currency basis, ensuring compliance with UK and international requirements and timely reconciliation across the global network.
• Review and enhance financial processes, documentation, and internal controls; develop and maintain Group accounting policies; identify control gaps to drive continuous improvement.
• Partner with Finance Systems and Business Analysts to develop and optimise finance systems and reporting tools, driving improvements in reporting capability and automation.
• Build and maintain relationships with Finance staff across all offices, serving as a trusted adviser on accounting, intercompany, and policy matters; support the global finance network on process and technical queries.
• Lead and deliver ad hoc projects, including new reporting or analytical capabilities.
• Lead, develop, and mentor junior team members with ongoing coaching, performance management, and technical guidance; foster a high-performing, collaborative team environment.

• Member of recognised accounting body as a qualified accountant.
• Significant post-qualification experience in a finance function.
• Experience in a Big 4 accounting practice or international environment is an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain complex financial and technical issues to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to influence at senior level as a credible subject-matter expert; adapt style to different audiences; demonstrate strong emotional intelligence.
• Strong leadership capability; motivate and develop individuals; contribute within a high-performing global team.
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving capabilities; develop meaningful insights and a proactive, solution-driven approach.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including IFRS; discuss complex issues with senior management; understanding of financial accounting principles, currency accounting, financial systems, and group structures.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills; prioritise, manage multiple deliverables, and perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Ability to produce high-quality documentation, reports, and training materials; support, mentor, and develop finance colleagues across a global network.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, with a wide range of benefits including our occupational pension scheme, group income protection, mental health resources, and health and wellbeing services. We offer flexible and hybrid working; you can work from home up to 40% with in-person collaboration for the remaining 60%.

If you require additional support during the recruitment process due to a disability or health condition, please contact our recruitment team for adjustments. We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on protected characteristics. No agencies please — A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our direct sourcing commitment.