Finance Operations Manager - Sydney (Parental Leave Contract)

Job Description:About Pinsent MasonsPinsent Masons is a multinational global professional services firm with a purpose - to make business work better for people. We empower our people to question how things are done and to be bold in their ideas. To encourage this we provide an environment where you can drive your career development, work flexibly and learn fast.While legal services are at the heart of what we do, we are at a firm with a diverse array of teams and skillsets. We are a firm that relies on the work of our talented business operations teams in information technology, finance, business development and human resources to continue to drive the growth we have experienced since arriving in Australia in 2015.With offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, we work on major projects and matters that are driving the building of key infrastructure and the transition to renewable energy across Asia Pacific. You will collaborate with our teams across the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa and you will be supporting the work of 2000 lawyers widely considered to be leading lights in our sectors of focus.The OpportunityWe have an exciting opportunity for a Finance Manager to join our Sydney office on a 12-month fixed-term contract (Parental Leave Contract).The Finance Operations Manager is responsible for managing the finance team to ensure the smooth running of the accounting function in Australia. The key elements of the role will include management of all aspects relating to the financial cycle from billing, credit control, accounts payable, budget and filing of local accounts.Key duties and responsibilities:Cashiering & Compliance

• Day to day running of the cashiers function
• Ensuring compliance with Law Society regulations
• Liaise with auditors to plan for GST & FBT returns and annual client money audit
• Trust updates & LSB approving
• Induction for new staff member

Purchase Ledger & General Ledger

• Ensuring all invoices are promptly logged on receipt and duly authorised prior to processing
• Ensuring compliance with GST regulations in relation to purchases
• Correct allocation of expenses to budget holders
• Ensure prompt payment of disbursements in accordance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules
• Liaison with suppliers, arranging payments and ensuring the creditor ledgers are reconciled
• P&L and balance sheet review
• Preparing the local cashflow and managing partner payments
• Approving bank payments
• Budget v Actual reporting for budget holders

Staff Expenses

• Dealing with travel accounts, checking and authorising supplier invoices, uploading these to the purchase ledger system and arranging payment
• Managing the daily workload for expense claims
• Ensuring expense claims are checked and approved in line with the firms T&E policy
• Ensuring compliance with GST and payroll tax regulations
• Dealing with employee secondments
• Liaison with suppliers and staff regarding payment or claim queries
• Processing of payment schedules weekly and arranging payments to suppliers or staff for invoices and expenses which are due for payment, making sure that ledgers reconcile
• Chrome River Management

Payroll

• Key liaison with the local payroll provider/HR and the UK to ensure payroll processed in timely manner

Billing

• Managing WIP estimates for month end close
• Ensuring that the Billing deadline is adhered to
• Raising of bills on the Aderant system
• Ensure bills are raised in accordance with client services agreements/ letters of engagements
• Ensure the Firm's billing and credit note procedure is strictly adhered to and that all necessary authorities are obtained
• Ensure all recorded time is captured at time of billing
• Time and disbursement transfers and write off's
• Lawyer liaison on Aderant and CD queries
• Client and matter housekeeping
• Ensure compliance with legal service board with and with GST regulations in relation to output tax
• Production of monthly and quarterly of both internal and client reports where appropriate

Credit Control

• Support the credit control team with managing overdue debts
• Dealing with partner, lawyer and client queries
• Ensuring queries raised by clients are dealt with promptly and efficiently
• Meeting deadlines and monthly cash targets

About youTo be considered for the role, you will be organised and methodical with:

• At least 5+ years' experience dealing with volumes of transaction processing and managing a finance team;
• Degree level qualified/relevant qualification;
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Thorough approach to complying with processes and authorisations;
• Proven ability to work within a busy environment and meet frequent deadlines;
• IT literate with an excellent working knowledge of Aderant and Excel;
• Accuracy and attention to detail; and
• Positive and pro-active approach.

In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply:

• Work Rights: Valid Right to Work for the country you are applying in. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

What makes Pinsent Masons a great place to work?

• We have a global reach and a local feel. With 28 offices and 2000 lawyers operating across Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, you'll be exposed to domestic, international and multi-jurisdictional high-profile work, yet be in an office where everyone knows your name.
• We do things a bit differently. Legal services are at the core of our business, however we have diversified into other areas providing complimentary services to clients through offerings like Vario flexible services.
• We like to be flexible. Our firm is professional and allows you to bring our whole self to work. Dress for your day and in your own style and participate in practices that support your wellbeing, mental wellness and work/life balance so that everyone can thrive at work and at home.
• We're lots of fun and very inclusive. You'll also have plenty of opportunities to participate in, and even run, social activities, diversity and inclusion networks, and charitable initiatives.

Diversity and InclusionAt Pinsent Masons we value diversity and inclusion. We are committed to creating a better workplace where all our talent can succeed and feel like they belong. We want to attract, retain and develop people at all levels and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates whatever your ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability/long term condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristics protected by local law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.Contact DetailsIf you're interested in learning more or discussing this opportunity in further detail, please contact Internal Recruitment Advisor Gemma Feeney via .Please note we only accept CVs that are logged on the Recruitment portal.