Finance Manager

The opportunityWe are looking for a talented and experienced Finance Manager to join the Finance team in our Riyadh office. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, maintaining effective financial controls and complying with local accounting, tax and regulatory requirements. The role also involves coordinating budgeting, cash flow management and the annual audit process, while maintaining alignment with the firm’s global finance policies and procedures.This role offers significant stakeholder exposure and the opportunity to build strong relationships across the business while contributing to operational improvements and the continued success of the Middle East practice.The firmBird & Bird opens a world of possible for lawyers and professionals everywhere. Working for a leading international law firm like Bird & Bird means working alongside people who are truly collegiate in the way they work with everyone. We work as one global team, with over 70% of work involving people from across the firm. And that’s only increasing! It is this common purpose and shared approach that make it a more productive and collaborative place to work.Your firm. Your future.The teamYou’ll be joining a collaborative and commercially focused regional Finance team that supports the firm's operations across the Middle East. Working closely with the Managing Partner, Head of Group Accounts and regional Finance team, the role provides financial insight to support business planning, decision-making and growth. This role forms part of a wider international Finance function, providing opportunities to work with colleagues across Bird & Bird’s global network.The team operates in a fast-paced and supportive environment, where collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement are highly valued. You will work alongside experienced finance professionals and have the opportunity to build strong relationships across the firm while contributing to the success of the Middle East practice.What you'll doThe main duties and responsibilities for the role are as follows:Lead the KSA Finance function, ensuring effective operations and alignment with global policies and procedures.Oversee the general ledger and timely preparation and review of balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring accurate monthly management accounts, statutory financial statements and local and group reporting in accordance with applicable standards.Lead budgeting and forecasting, providing analysis and commentary on performance, profitability and delivery against targets.Advise the Managing Partner and leadership team on business planning, investment decisions and strategic initiatives, constructively challenging commercial proposals.Support partners with proposals, pricing and financial management of client matters to improve profitability and commercial outcomes.Oversee billing, accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, including prebills, credit notes, write-offs, ensuring timely and accurate invoicing, supplier payments, cash allocation and reconciliation of balances.Ensure invoices comply with firm policies, agreed fee arrangements, client billing guidelines, Outside Counsel Guidelines, e-billing and purchase order requirements.Coordinate billing approvals, amendments, reissues and client-specific requirements with partners and fee-earners, including month-end and year-end activity.Manage working capital by reviewing work in progress, billing, debt and lock-up with partners, driving collections and assessing bad debt provisions.Prepare WIP and billing forecasts, client and matter budgets, projected costs and portfolio analysis, including consolidated reporting for complex trademark and IP portfolios.Manage cash flow, funding requirements, banking relationships and cash forecasts, including client and third-party payment requests.Coordinate monthly payroll with HR and service providers, ensuring accurate processing, approvals and reconciliations.Maintain effective internal controls, financial system access and approval procedures, identifying and addressing financial and commercial risks.Manage KSA tax compliance, including VAT, withholding tax and corporate income tax filings, and maintain relationships with ZATCA and external advisers.Monitor tax and regulatory developments, assess their impact and implement necessary changes to finance processes, systems and controls.Coordinate the annual statutory audit, manage auditor relationships, oversee supporting schedules and responses to information requests, resolve accounting queries and ensure completion within required deadlines.Oversee the financial aspects of non-IT suppliers, procurement, lease commitments and significant expenditure, including supplier verification controls.Provide financial analysis for regulatory and compliance submissions, including AML-related reporting.Produce dashboards and management reports covering revenue, profitability, WIP, debt, cash, billing forecasts and matter performance.Maintain accurate matter, billing and financial data in practice management systems, including matter codes, fee allocations and billing structures.Manage purchase order requirements, cost schedules and approvals with client procurement and Finance teams.Prepare intercompany invoices and process recharges across the firm's international offices.Act as the main finance liaison between the KSA office and London Finance, coordinating shared priorities and providing insight into local performance.Liaise with clients, suppliers and other stakeholders to resolve finance and billing queries.Support Finance recruitment, development and succession planning, and drive process improvements as the KSA business grows.Support wider Finance initiatives, projects and ad hoc duties as required.About youThe successful candidate will have the following:Recognised professional accounting qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent.Relevant experience in a senior finance role within a law firm or professional services environment.Strong technical accounting knowledge, including IFRS, management reporting, budgeting, forecasting and financial controls.Practical knowledge of KSA accounting, tax and statutory reporting requirements, including VAT, withholding tax and corporate income tax.Experience managing billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, credit control and working capital.Experience coordinating external audits and liaising with auditors, tax advisers, banks and regulatory authorities.Strong numerical, analytical and commercial skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail and the ability to interpret financial performance, challenge assumptions and provide clear, practical advice.Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency in accounting and reporting systems; experience with Aderant Expert and Crystal Reports would be an advantage.Experience working in a multicurrency environment and collaborating with regional or international Finance teams.Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to advise partners and senior stakeholders and build effective working relationships across diverse teams and cultural backgrounds. A high standard of written business Arabic and English is essential.Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure, particularly during peak billing periods, while collaborating effectively with colleagues.A proactive, adaptable and commercially minded approach, with the ability to resolve issues, improve processes and support the continued development of the Finance function.High level of professionalism, integrity and discretion when handling confidential information, with an awareness of relevant AML requirements and the Finance function’s role in supporting compliance.The main responsibilities of this role are outlined above; however, this description is not exhaustive, and the roleholder may be required to undertake additional duties from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department. The role may require some work outside our normal working hours of 9:30 am - 5:30 pm.In the event that we make an offer to you, and you accept, we will conduct pre-engagement background checks, where permitted by local legislation and according to the nature of the role that may include right to work, professional and academic qualifications, criminal records and references from previous employers.