Senior Lead Accountant

Our client is a prestigious global law firm with offices across Europe, Asia, and the US. The London office is a key hub for the firm’s international operations, and this is an exciting opportunity to take on a senior accounting role supporting multiple jurisdictions.

The Lead Accountant, Europe, supports the Director of Finance, Europe & Asia and Manager of International Accounting, financial accounting, management reporting and tax compliance support. The role requires an accountant who can produce accurate, well-documented work, exercise judgment on accounting and tax matters, and partner effectively across finance functions.

This is a newly created role to provide comprehensive support to the Director of Finance, Europe & Asia. This role covers all aspects of tax and management accounting for the firm’s European offices and involves collaboration with global teas on complex financial projects.

Key Responsibilities

\n
• Prepare and review reconciliations and support analyses, identifying, researching, and resolving reconciling items promptly.
\n
• Produce management reporting, variance analysis on ad hoc reporting when directed for the Director of Finance, Europe & Asia.
\n
• Prepare VAT calculations and related documentation for European offices, ensuring filings are supported by complete and accurate records.
\n
• Support statutory accounts, tax return materials, and audit deliverables for European and relevant international offices, liaising with external advisers and auditors as required.
\n
• Monitor tax, VAT, and statutory compliance deadlines and support the firm’s commitment to regulatory compliance and fiduciary responsibility.
\n
• Maintain accounting records for selected international offices, ensuring entries are complete, accurate, timely, and supported by appropriate documentation.
\n
• Evaluate internal controls over financial reporting and recommend improvements to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
\n
• Stay current on relevant accounting standards, tax laws, and regulatory changes affecting the firm’s European operations.
\n
• Work with the Lead Accountant, Asia, and other Finance colleagues to prepare tax return and accounting materials for the firms offices in London, Dublin, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, and any future European offices.
\n
• Support Pillar Two reporting
\n
• Collaborate on ad hoc projects, including new office openings, process improvements, system enhancements, and finance transformation initiatives.
\n

Person Specification

\n
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) preferred with relevant experience in financial accounting, audit, tax, or professional services.
\n
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to Finance colleagues and non-finance stakeholders.
\n
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence using financial systems, reporting tools, and large data sets.
\n
• Highly organized, accurate, self-motivated, and able to manage competing deadlines with limited supervision.
\n
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate variances and resolve complex accounting issues.
\n

Important Notice

It is Career Legal’s policy, as a matter of courtesy, to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to respond to individual candidates. If we have not contacted, you within three working days your application has been unsuccessful and your details have not been retained. Please apply for any other position that you may see in the future. Thank you.

Career Legal is a Recruitment Agency and is advertising this permanent vacancy on behalf of one of its clients.