Practice Group / Department
COO Office - Germany
About Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm with more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across locations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. We provide a full scope of legal services to the world's preeminent corporations and financial institutions.
Our vision is to be a world class business, profitable, ambitious, cooperative and considerate, supporting our clients and people through our global business principles of Quality, Unity and Integrity.
With over 7,000 employees worldwide, our culture is the thread that connects us. Our strategy and culture are closely connected – defined by shared ambition, global collaboration and a one-team mindset. We believe pioneering work happens when people are empowered to think beyond boundaries, explore new opportunities and grow through diverse experiences. Alongside the right skills and experience, we are looking for people who are innovative, commercially minded, and motivated by the impact of the work they do – ready to share in our ambition and help shape what comes next.
Finance Manager (w/m/d)
As Finance Manager Germany, you take on a key role at the interface of finance, corporate governance and leadership. You are responsible for the German finance area, further develop processes and structures, and turn financial data into clear decision-making bases for the Chief Operating Officer, the site management and the partnership.
This involves much more than reliable reporting: you create transparency, identify potential for improving financial performance, and actively help shape the further development of the finance function. At the same time, you lead and develop the German finance team and work closely with colleagues in the Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific region.
The position is based at one of our four German locations, preferably in Frankfurt am Main, and reports to the Chief Operating Officer Germany, in close exchange with the Director of Financial Control & Operations EMEA and the UK Financial Controller.
What makes this role special
•Scope for shaping things: You further develop the German finance function professionally, organizationally and technologically.
•Strategic influence: Your analyses and recommendations feed directly into key management decisions.
•Leadership responsibility: You shape collaboration, performance orientation and development within the German finance team.
•Internationality: You work in a global network and shape collaboration with finance teams across the entire EMEAPAC region.
•Transformation: You drive the optimization and automation of financial processes, also using new technologies and AI applications.
Main tasks
Finance management
•You manage all finance processes in Germany, in particular accounting, payroll and financial reporting.
•You work closely with the Accounts Payable and Revenue Operations teams and ensure an integrated, reliable service for the German locations.
•You centrally monitor services provided against agreed Service Level Agreements and initiate suitable measures where needed.
•You implement EMEAPAC finance policies, processes and internal controls and ensure their efficient application as well as compliance with local regulatory requirements.
Financial performance and strategic steering
•You proactively analyze financial performance in Germany and derive clear, actionable recommendations.
•You advise the Chief Operating Officer, the German site management and the partners on profitability, financial developments and strategic options.
•You present financial figures, analyses and recommendations confidently, concisely and in a way tailored to the audience, to leadership and other stakeholders.
Team and leadership
•You lead and develop the German finance team – including finance functions that do not directly report into this position.
•You create an environment that fosters ownership, collaboration, agility and high performance orientation.
•You embed a culture of continuous improvement and support the professional and personal development of your staff.
•You promote cross-border exchange and the use of best practices within the EMEAPAC region.
Budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management
•You manage the annual cost planning process and prepare regular forecasts for Germany.
•You analyze financial development against budget and forecast and prepare the key findings for the Chief Operating Officer, the German site management and the Financial Control team in the UK.
•You manage and forecast cash flow, supporting efficient use of funds within the region.
Financial reporting, audit and tax
•You coordinate the monthly and annual financial statements for Germany in line with the overarching EMEAPAC timetable.
•You are responsible for partner accounting and the tax affairs of the German partners.
•You ensure proper balance sheet reconciliations and effective controls.
•You provide accurate and timely external annual financial statements as well as meaningful internal financial reports and analyses.
•You ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements and accounting standards.
•You coordinate the annual audits and work professionally with the external auditors.
•You ensure timely and correct submission of tax returns and compliance with all tax regulations.
Technology and systems
•You manage the local introduction, further development and support of our finance systems.
•You work with the relevant systems teams to ensure that the EMEAPAC finance systems meet local legal and regulatory requirements.
•You identify and implement suitable technological solutions – in particular AI and automation applications – to improve financial processes, analyses and reporting.
Your profile
You fit particularly well with us if you are looking for scope to shape things, take on responsibility and understand finance as an active partner of management. You combine analytical strength with pragmatism, communicate persuasively at leadership level and enjoy developing people and structures.
You bring:
•a completed degree in finance/accounting as well as relevant professional qualifications with a focus on accounting, auditing or tax;
•at least eight years of professional experience in financial management of an international company, ideally in an internationally active law firm or a comparable professional services environment;
•solid knowledge of accounting, financial reporting and relevant compliance requirements;
•proven experience leading and developing a finance team;
•track record of optimizing financial processes, controls and reporting structures;
•enjoyment of working independently, willingness to take full responsibility for work results and to get operationally involved when needed;
•strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex financial data into clear recommendations for action;
•a structured, careful and at the same time solution-oriented way of working;
•convincing communication and presentation skills in German and English;
•experience with law firm management systems such as Aderant or Elite is a welcome plus.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
To attract the best people, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, have a sense of belonging, and realize their full career potential.
Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our people's health and overall wellbeing.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates.
