FP&A Manager / Commercial Partner - Law Firm

FocusCore Group

Company Industries：Others

Job Information

Post Date：2016-09-07
Career Level：Senior
Location：Not Specified
Salary：HK$45,000 - 70,000 /month
Employment Type：Full Time, Permanent
Job Function：Accounting Clerk / Supervisor Finance / Accounting Manager Financial Controller

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION FOR PRICING AND WORKING CAPITAL MANAGER

Job title Pricing and Working Capital Manager

Department Finance (Support)

Reporting To Chief Financial Officer of the HK office

Overall Scope

The over-riding objective of this role is to ensure high quality, accurate working capital data is maintained and provided to both internal and external clients on a timely basis
Act as business partner and trusted advisor to HK Partners and to other senior decision-makers with the principle objective of optimising revenue and matter profitability

To assist the Chief Financial Officer in managing and controlling the office's working capital (i.e. Work In Progress, Outstanding debts) and to ensure the Partners are receiving a responsive and commercially sound service

Pricing and Business Partnering

Assist Partners with rate negotiations for the firm. Assistance includes

providing timely, accurate and relevant financial information for decision-making

profitability forecasting based on multiple levers/potential outcomes

negotiation strategy and

influencing/offering advice as appropriate to optimise the outcome of the negotiations

Create financial models specific to a rate negotiation and translate outcomes in a concise manner
Provide financial analysis to support the pitching process across the group and to ensure that pricing decisions are supported with appropriate financial information. Take a macro-economic view of pricing proposals by considering peer group data trends, external market data and economic indicators within a client's regional footprint
Reviewing/drafting of text for use in commercial agreements/RFP's (e.g., rate caveats, volume rebate terms, specific commercial exclusions)
Propose annual rate increases for discussion with the partners. Maintain key client rates database and perform an audit of key client rates in conjunction with the working capital team

Working Capital Management

Oversee and monitor the effectiveness of client billing and collection processes and initiate improvements to enhance the quality of service
Manage and monitor the client revenue and working capital balances, report regularly on positions and escalate increasing client exposures
Send regular billing and net investment report to partners with concise narrative
Review billing write offs and ensure any material amounts are brought to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer of HK office
Review unbilled disbursements account balances and disbursements written off on a monthly basis and investigate any significant movements
Review monthly bad debt provision in advance of ledger close to ensure it is appropriate
Maintain good financial hygiene on both working capital information and related general ledger balances
Deal with tax issues related to billing and invoice settlement (Withholding tax, Corporate Income Tax, Value-Added Tax)

Relationship Management

Develop close relationships with central pricing team in London and Business Development team.
Provide financial support for internal and external client meetings - determine nature of meeting and provide succinct financial advice and help drive client listening on price
Ensure systems reflect agreed engagement terms by working closely with the Finance Systems Group
Establish good working relationships with external clients to facilitate the resolution of any issues that may arise
Pre-empt client queries by applying knowledge from prior engagement - identify potential risks and mitigate
Co-manage with other controller the workload of working capital team and back-up the team's functions

Matter profitability and project management

Analyse current billing and profitability information and other items of a complex nature for reporting and problem-solving including financial analysis of individual matters / projects
Prepare draft budgets for partners for review prior to accepting new engagements
Project manage a selection of matters to monitor effective utilisation of staff, and control margins through the assessment of time and cost write-offs and support pro-active measures to increase margins where possible
Ensure fee earner status is appropriately reflected in the financial systems and provide grade and billing rates for new joiners
Delivery, design and preparation of financial presentations, and ad hoc client reviews
Attend practice group meetings to review matter and client performance

Management and Development

Manage and mentor the working capital team
Set annual objectives for the team and complete performance reviews
Ensure team work load is appropriately balanced and partners are receiving appropriate support
Assist the team in improving their project management and pricing knowledge to increase value to the business

Skills and personal attributes:

Must be a pro-active self-starter with drive, enthusiasm and tenacity, possessing excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Will need to be visible with the confidence to encourage and challenge Partners
Ability to process large amounts of information quickly & be interested in rapid learning
A highly credible individual with resilience and high level of intellectual ability who is able to develop effective working relationships with the ability to influence at all levels
Commercial outlook essential with a strong understanding of the global finance markets
Excellent analytical and numeracy skills are a prerequisite for the role, plus the individual will need to adopt a 'broad brush,' big-picture approach and appreciate the commercial realities of a dynamic, fast moving practice
Able to work well under pressure with respect to meeting targets and deadlines
Good organisational skills, able to multi-task and deal with urgent requests
Fluent in English
Effective written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate to a non-financially literate audience is a prerequisite
Close attention to detail, willingness to take on any task and flexibility in work hours, as necessary, to meet business objectives

Qualifications and experience

2 to 4-year experience in a management and/or operational role in a leading company/firm
Legal industry and professional services experience is preferred
A recognised accountancy qualification advantageous but not essential
Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint a must
Experience of using Elite / 3e software an advantage.

Company Info

FocusCore is a recruitment company dedicated to helping you stay focused on your core business. With offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Yangon, we support international clients throughout Asia with recruiting, business-entry and business process outsourcing services. By entrusting these non-core functions to us, you can re-focus your resources on your strategically vital business tasks.
With our roots in Asia, we have an intimate understanding of business practices in the region so we are able to offer solutions tailored to local market conditions. We are pro-active, flexible, always transparent and accountable - and we are single-mindedly focused on results.

Contact

Apply