Commercial Assistant (Bristol)
Position: Commercial Assistant
Location: Redcliff Street, Bristol
Team: Finance (Administration)
Responsible to: Simon Royster - Commercial Manager
Company Information:
Managing Partner: David Pester
Location: Bristol, London, Piraeus
Headcount: 75 partners, over 300 lawyers and nearly 700 staff
Turnover: forecast £40 million
TLT was created in 2000, following the merger of Lawrence Tucketts and Trumps. In 2005, TLT acquired niche firm Lawrence Jones and expanded into London
In June 2007 TLT acquired international commercial firm Constant & Constant,
Leading strengths are in Financial Services, Leisure, Retail, Technology and Media and Built Environment
TLT supports the community:
- We provide ‘pro bono’ legal advice to a variety of charities
- TLT staff are encouraged to volunteer other support including physical work and mentoring individuals in the community through our “Giving in Kind” scheme
- A recent environmental audit rated TLT above the 'Best Practice' benchmark for carbon emissions
TLT belongs to European Law Firm (ELF) and International Practice Group (IPG), two international networks that enable us to provide high quality and good value legal services throughout Europe and the world.
Around two thirds of our work comes from outside the Southwest region
Awards:
2004: Legal Business - UK Regional Law Firm of the Year
2004: Managing Partners Forum - Best Management of Working Capital
2005: Sunday Times - 100 Best Companies to Work For
2006: Legal Business Awards - Shortlisted for Management Partner of the Year, (David Pester)
2006: Legal Week Awards - shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year
The Sunday Times writes "In many ways TLT is a dream company… Businesses with the best ideas grow fastest, and TLT has shown a strong track record of growth and development." (March 2005)
Chambers UK, 2007 writes "The firm has carved a niche for itself in the marketplace and has a spring in its step."
Chambers UK rates 25 of TLT's lawyers as "leaders in their field"
2007: Western Daily Press - South West Deals Awards '07 - Corporate Law Firm of the Year.
This role will be based within the Finance/Administration team on the 12th Floor. the role reports directly into Simon Royster - Commercial Manager but will also require the candidate to work alongside Stuart Aylward - Financial Reporting Assistant.
The Role:
To produce financial and commercial information as required. To manage the financial data input and analysis of a number of key clients of TLT. To assist the Commercial Manager in provision of information.
You will receive a steady stream of requests for commercial information which will include hours recorded by fee earners, fees billed to clients. This information will be broken down by sector, open/closed matters which are often supported by business case information so that the recipient can understand the data/reports provided. The role of this team has been described as "Guardians of Data".
Key responsibilities:
1. To produce accurate and timely information as requested by the firm, to include auditing client balances, exception reports and disbursements. This equates to 60% of the overall role.
2. Working to tight deadlines, information may be required at short notice, so a quick turnaround in most cases will be required, with little or no flexibility. e.g. Request at 9.00am with a response required by 1.00pm.
3. To manage the financial data input of a number of key clients. One key client within the leisure industry equates for 40% of this role. You will become the key contact both internally with The Real Estate Group and externally with client themselves. There may also be other external reports for other clients as and when required.
4. To prepare for and attend meetings as required in conjunction with the Commercial Manager and other members of the finance team. You will be required to provide relevant information at these meetings and make a valuable contribution to the discussions that take place.
5. To assist in the development of the financial reporting of TLT. Currently reports are produced based on the requirements of the fee earners, but there is room for improvement in terms of process and efficiency in reporting.
6. To complete any ad hoc tasks as requested such as assisting with financial analysis within the finance team. Support is also required for month end fee earner packs in conjunction with Stuart Aylward in the preparation and distribution of these packs.
Key Skills
Strong working knowledge of Excel/Crystal reports and SOS PM software (useful). Able to write simple reports interpreting data, and be able to present data orally to groups. Accuracy and attention to detail is critical. Longer term - develop skills with relational databases.
Business writing skills are key, using plain English to interpret data and to back up reports with key information.
Client accounts - it would be desirable for candidates to have a working knowledge of Practice Manager.
Account reconciliation - a basic understanding of debits and credits to review payments in and out of the business.
Ability to build and maintain robust relationships internally and externally with the conviction to force deadlines when requesting information.
After an initial period of 6 months, candidates would be expected to assist with and then run presentations such as to talk through the fee earning packs.
Due to the nature of the data involved, a high level of confidentiality will be expected and this role will place the candidate in a position of trust whilst handling company and employee data.
Experience required:
A knowledge of how law firms operate would be useful although not critical.
Be able to work on own imitative and with a minimum of supervision. There will be a lot of autonomy in this role so candidates will require strong self-drive, self motivation and some 'get up and go'.
The role will require extensive use of computers and IT.
Learning & Development:
Candidates will attend the TLT corporate induction, which incorporates standard systems and best practice.
During the 1st & 2nd quarter, candidates will be supervised by the commercial manager with hands-on training until the candidates fully understand
Training will be provided for in-house packages. Candidates will also spend some time within the Real Estate team to understand the large number of transactions that take place within the client accounts.
In the long term, this role will develop the candidates skills to have a strong understanding of transactions within a law firm and could develop into more of a business analyst position.
TLT will also consider supporting professional training for the AAT qualification where this is deemed relevant for both parties.
Our research shows that our clients and our employees would describe us as: energetic, entrepreneurial & driven.
If you would like additional information about this position then please contact Matt Parker, Human Resources Recruitment Manager on 0117 917 7867 or email recruitment@TLTSolicitors.com
For further information about TLT Solicitors please visit our website: www.TLTSolicitors.com
No agencies please.
