Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. We work on some of the most challenging and important deals and have built a reputation for delivering exceptional legal solutions that help our clients grow, innovate and thrive. Our business teams work hand-in-hand with our lawyers, Consultants and other specialist teams, and are ambitious, driven and leaders in their field. The legal industry is changing, and we're committed to leading that change by putting our people first, embracing new ways of thinking and integrating technology into our everyday work.
With us, you will constantly be learning and growing. We invest in you by offering exceptional professional and personal development – providing training, mentoring and practical support. We offer rewarding careers that are built around your strengths and designed to ensure you can achieve your personal and professional goals, recognising that those may look different for everyone.
We have a powerful commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We’re determined to play our part in advancing a workplace where progress is made by harnessing our differences – whatever defines you, we ask you to bring your whole self to work.
What truly defines a career at Allen & Overy? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. We provide challenge, support and a place for you to belong. And together we excel, working on meaningful projects of global significance.
Department purpose
Provide high quality advice and relevant information to the decision makers in A&O, ensuring compliance with regulations and deliver our service efficiently.
Role purpose
This role will work with the regional practice group heads and the regional CFOs as a trusted advisor, providing sound financial advice based on extensive experience of the financial, commercial and operational workings of
the ASEAN and APAC Litigation practice groups and the wider firm. The purpose of the role is to enhance and
develop the practice groups’ profitability, by making and supporting informed and intelligent financial decisions.
Key relationships
- Regional CFOs and finance teams
- Group Finance team
- Partners in the region
- Other support professionals in the region
Role and responsibilities
- Prepare partner-facing reports including written commentaries with information to drive financial performance. This will include financial results, KPI and matter / client analysis as well as individual partner performance
- Manage the investment planning cycle for ASEAN and APAC Litigation and updating forecasts on an ongoing basis as circumstances change including headcount movements, productivity levels, and recoveries etc.
- Manage the ASEAN and APAC Litigation budgets providing feedback to regional practice group heads and other partner stakeholders, in particular challenging them to set targets which will improve their team’s financial performance and testing whether their proposals to deliver the budget are reasonable
- Lead on working capital management for ASEAN and APAC Litigation in conjunction with the local working capital / revenue teams to improve billing/collection efficiency and WIP/debtor lock up
- Work closely with the CFOs to monitor profitability, identify financial trends and assist with data and analysis
- Work closely with BD and CRM on a number of client related initiatives around profitable income growth, client incentives and relationships and provide analysis of client / matter profitability across the region. This may include financial modelling support for pricing scenarios and deal structuring
- Provide analysis using sophisticated data sets to understand underlying profitability, potential growth opportunities, considering FX, market, cost changes and other impacts
- Ability to critically analyse and evaluate data at a macro level to provide insight and advice to the partnership
- Ability to understand the wider business issues and to develop new ideas which will add value, based on a full understanding of the firm's critical success factors
- Delivery, design, and preparation of financial presentations and one off financial analyses as required to support the regional CFOs
- Build strong trusted advisor relationships with Partners and senior business stakeholders
- Adhoc support to ASEAN CFO at regional and local levels
Competencies for success
- Ability to influence at the highest level as a credible, collaborative and commercial individual
- Outstanding analytical skills & knowledge of economic factors impacting professional services
- Excellent communicator; able to explain complex issues to financial or non-financial stakeholders
- A methodical and meticulous approach to work
- Ability to take a business question, probe, data mine, interpret the data and make recommendation
- Outstanding interpersonal skills and inquisitive.
- Demonstrate a hands-on approach and success in working in a team based environment
- Results driven; having a proactive, goal orientated approach to decision making
- Able to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines and targets
- Strong IT system skills
Qualifications and work experience
- Qualified Accountant
- Five or more years’ experience in professional service industry
