Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating inover thirty countries. We work on some of the most challenging andimportant deals and have built a reputation for deliveringexceptional legal solutions that help our clients grow, innovateand thrive. Our business teams work hand-in-hand with our lawyers,Consultants and other specialist teams, and are ambitious, drivenand leaders in their field. The legal industry is changing, andwe're committed to leading that change by putting our people first,embracing new ways of thinking and integrating technology into oureveryday work.

With us, you will constantlybe learning and growing. We invest in you by offering exceptionalprofessional and personal development – providing training,mentoring and practical support. We offer rewarding careers thatare built around your strengths and designed to ensure you canachieve your personal and professional goals, recognising thatthose may look different for everyone.

Wehave a powerful commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.We’re determined to play our part in advancing a workplace whereprogress is made by harnessing our differences – whatever definesyou, we ask you to bring your whole self to work.

What truly defines a career at Allen & Overy? Werecruit 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

Achievingthe firm’s vision requires a world class Finance department and ourfinance teams add value when the information we produce enablegreat decisions. That means producing information that is relevant,accurate and understandable and doing so as quickly as possible. Italso means building relationships with the Partners and otherdecision-makers in the firm so that they trust us to advise them onwhat the information means and what the best course of action is.

Role purpose

Therole of the Working Capital Controller has three distinct elements:

Work as a member of a team of WorkingCapital Controllers / Assistants – based in Singapore, who focus onmanaging the financial elements of matter lifecycle. Includingmatter inception, billing, collections, profitability analysis andother related reporting and activities
Partnerrelationships and acting as a commercial advisor to the business.
Develop a deep relationship with finance contacts atour top clients, to ensure speedier processing of bills andcollection of money
This particular WCC will have apart focus on overall credit control, under the management of theWCM, taking hands on responsibility for managing, prioritising,reducing and reporting on the debtor balance for all clients andmatters

Key relationships

ASEAN Working Capital Manager (WCM)
Partners
Business Development Teams
WCstaff across the network

Job description

Role and responsibilities

Working capital control

Preparemonthly billing and collection forecasts.
Manage theend to end matter and client financial lifecycle, suggestimprovements to enhance the quality of service and seekefficiencies.
Advise on billing & collectiontechnical tax related matters – often cross border – seekassistance or advice from others.
Monitor ageingbalances and support bad debt provision estimation.
Contribute to the annual audit process by providing samples,information and judgement based on thorough knowledge of the WIPand debtor balances and anything related that is necessary forlocal fiscal year end processes.
Managing rates within3e and working with partners to ensure the matters are set upcorrectly and the client finance related requirements are fullyunderstood by reviewing the client contracts
Involvement in the Client and Matter Inception work flow process,overall ownership of completion Liaising with the lead relationshippartners to ensure that rate agreements are reviewed in a timelymanner offering assistance and information which may assist inclient rate negotiations
Providing detailed financialinformation in support of bills, i.e. hourly schedules,disbursements and narrative breakdowns. Preparation of clientdetailed billing schedules as requested.
Where requiredkeep partners and clients advised on a weekly basis of the statusof fees and debts.
Provide training to Legal PAs forbill & time narrative completion in 3e and support them goingforward
Liaise with Working Capital Controllers acrossthe network on cross unit matters and billing matters

Client, commercial and relationships

Using and promoting the Pricing and ProfitabilityModels, providing appropriate support and assistance to partnersand working capital manager on pricing of matters and reporting onmatter profitability
Understanding of local and globalclient rate agreements, supporting the WCM in other offices onglobal / regional client rate negotiations
Regularmeetings with partners to review the working capital on theircurrent matters.
Comprehensive follow-up of actionitems, such as time transfer, time write off, dispatch of billingguides, disbursements, queries etc.
Dealing withenquiries from clients, partners and fee earners relating tofinancial aspects of client matters.
Develop andmaintain relationships with finance contacts at key clients toensure prompt and efficient processing of A&O’s bills andcollection of cash.
Develop close relationships with BDteams across the network and provide financial support.

Competencies for success

Threeyears or more experience in a revenue control management role in aleading company, preferably professional services type environmentor B2B in a complex billing environment.
Experience inbroader or varied roles a distinct advantage such as a full workingcapital role, other non-working capital related finance roles andexperience in function building, systems implementation and / orturnaround.
Ability to transfer fundamental creditcontrol skills (such as non-confrontational assertiveness) morebroadly to areas such as prompting action from parties, internaland external, to drive progress at all stages of the matter andworking capital cycle.
Commercial outlook essential -experience of a partnership environment would be very advantageous.
Must be a pro-active self-starter with drive,enthusiasm and tenacity, possessing excellent communication skillsboth written and verbal. Will need to be visible with theconfidence to encourage and challenge partners.
Excellent analytical and numeracy skills are a prerequisite for therole.
Proficiency in using technology required,experience of Elite 3E a distinct advantage but not essential.
Excellent attention to detail, prioritisation andorganisational skills.
Ability to work under pressureand cope with the high and varied workloads.
Resultsdriven; having a proactive, goal orientated approach to decisionmaking.
Able to influence at all levels as a credible,fast-thinking, collaborative and proactive individual.
Comfortable in a world of ambiguous decision making andconsultation, with influencing skills and confidence to advisebeing critical success factors.
Outstandinginterpersonal skills.
Demonstrate a hands-on approachand success in working in a team based environment.

Qualifications

Educated todegree level.
Qualified Accountant with significantpost qualification experience. Member of a recognised accountingbody.