Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst
A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with 48 offices in 28 countries worldwide.

Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE

Achieving the firm's vision requires a world class Finance department and our teams add value when the information we produce enables great decisions. That means producing information that is relevant, accurate and understandable and doing so as quickly as possible. It also means building relationships with the Partners and other decision-makers in the firm so that they trust us to advise them on what the information means and what the best course of action is.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Analyst will play a central role in driving informed decision-making across the Firm by delivering accurate reporting, insightful analysis, and process improvements. This role reports to the FP&A Manager and partners closely with cross-functional teams to support budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting while strengthening data integrity and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate combines strong technical skills in Excel and reporting tools with sound business judgment, impeccable attention to detail, and the ability to communicate clear, actionable insights to non-financial stakeholders.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyze budget-to-actual variances, document drivers and trends with clarity and precision.
• Contribute to the annual budgeting cycle, including data preparation, and consolidation.
• Prepare, maintain, review and distribute monthly financial reports and presentations; recommend process enhancements and oversee implementation to improve accuracy, timeliness, and consistency.
• Develop a deep understanding of financial and operational datasets, including data lineage and quality; advise on improvements to strengthen reliability and control.
• Partner with administrative functions on ad hoc analyses; advance business intelligence, query design, and data management initiatives.
• Provide subject-matter expertise in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and report design; ensure best practices in report production and distribution.
• Enhance reporting efficiency and quality through standardized templates and automation opportunities.
• Assist in the coordination of the three-year investment planning cycle on an ongoing basis, including frequent data updates to align with evolving business trends. Build scenarios around key variables such as demand, pricing and headcount assess risks and opportunities; and summarize implications for deliverability of financial targets.
• Monitor progress against targets at US, practice group, and fee earning department levels.
• Help prepare financial projections for lateral partners and other investments that are designed to improve the efficiency and agility of the firm.
• Develop relationships with senior finance staff to improve efficiencies, financial analysis models and processes.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• US Financial Planning and Analysis team
• US Working Capital teams
• US Financial Controllers
• US HR Systems team
• US Pro Bono team

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in financial reporting or a related field, ideally in a partnership environment or matrix organization.
• Advanced analytical capabilities and exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound judgment and a disciplined approach to prioritizing various deadlines.
• PowerPoint and Excel skills with experience working with large volumes of data in Excel and being able to manipulate this to enable effective decision making and influencing. Power BI or Fabric a plus.
• High level of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Resilient and enthusiastic individual who is comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Some travel may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity, including Veterans and Disability

A&O Shearman is an equal opportunity employer, including Veterans and Disability. Every individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all aspects of an individual's relationship with A&O Shearman, including, without limitation, recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

If you are vision-impaired or have another disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law and wish to discuss accommodations related to applying for employment at A&O Shearman, please contact US HR Transactions at US-HRTransactions@aoshearman.com or call +1 212 610 6300 and ask for HR Transactions.

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