Practice Finance Assistant Director (Dallas/Houston) - HOU001AO

Job Description 

US-TX-Houston

Job summary

 

This role manages the development and execution of strategic planning for all finance-related matters for a sub-line of business within an area , an industry or a location. The Practice Finance Assistant Director works directly with the Area Director of Finance/Service Line Directors of Finance in the review, preparation, and consolidation of annual forecast and outlooks for assigned practice(s). Responsibilities include variance analysis, financial reporting on revenue, expenses and profitability. Assists in inventory management and control, demonstrates leadership and may work closely with Financial Management Associate leadership as well as Financial Management Associates in the performance of their role. This position serves as the financial counsel and business advisor to the sub-service, industry or location managing partner.

 

Responsibilities

• Direct the strategic delivery of sub-department financial initiatives.
• Prepare, review and consolidate annual budgets and outlooks for a sub-service line, industry or location.
• Prioritize tasks to accomplish firm goals and objectives.
• Implement/participate in driving key Area and firm initiatives that involve process or procedural change for the organization.
• Produce ad hoc reports to help monitor key performance measures for the practice.
• Communicate issues to Service Line Directors of Finance and Area Director of Finance. Makes recommendations as appropriate.
• Assist in the education of client serving individuals on financial matters to better manage and report expenditures.
• Maintain high employee morale that includes encouragement of teamwork and building strong internal and external client relationships.
• Create and implement best practices for process improvement.
• Assist in the month-end Profit & Loss (P&L) close.
• Assist with the preparation and analysis of confidential information.
• May oversee daily accounting and reporting functions that take place within the organization.
• Perform other duties, as required.

Skills and Knowledge Requirements

• Ability to determine the root cause for variances in Actual results vs. Budget and Prior Year.
• Utilizes business knowledge to make recommendations, and counsel on action steps to improve or change financial results.
• Utilizes, confidence, knowledge and ethics to identify and raise concerns to leadership regarding variances or situations with a material threshold .
• Good aptitude for solving complex financial / analytical issues    
• Ability to develop accurate financial budgets and ability to communicate reasons for variances to budget or prior year.
• Ability to prepare and present accurate restatements or pro-forma analysis as business needs change.
• Knowledgeable on how Professional Service Firms generate and recognize revenue, measure utilization and productivity of resources, and accurately calculate the value of unbilled client receivables.
• Excellent software skills, including Micro Soft Excel, Word, Access, Powerpoint, Internet Explorer and Lotus Notes
• Strong Leadership, presentation, and problem solving skills.
• Comfortable with change as a result of frequent business re-organizations that directly impact their work product.
• Ability to handle multiple projects at once and prioritize appropriately.
• Ability to gain respect of both the finance community and client serving teams
• Ability to work with individuals at all levels within the organization
• Ability to teach new skills to others
• Able to interpret and apply firm policies.   Able to give others accurate and consistent guidance on policies.
• Strong listening skills
• Quality and Efficiency oriented
• Strong written and oral skills.
• This position works independently.
• Interacts and provides guidance on a regular basis to the Area Director of Finance and Directors of Finance. 
• Provide basic training and soft skills for finance staff.
• Acts as the primary contact for client service personnel in resolving problems or issues for assigned practices

Other Requirements

• Vacation generally cannot be taken during the year end process (June timeframe).
• Some travel may be required

  

Experience

• A minimum of 6 years experience in a professional services environment in a finance/business capacity
• A minimum of 3 years experience preferred in the following: supervisory, forecasting and budgeting, financial management, financial analyst and/or financial assistant roles

 

Education

 

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration, or equivalent work experience