Finance Project Manager

Paris AM Finance department, which currently has 18 employees, is divided into 3 teams: the general accounting team, the Group and Management reporting team and the regulatory reporting team.
 

The Finance Project Manager, reporting directly to the Paris AM Deputy Head of Finance, will be responsible for managing, high-priority projects within the Finance department : ongoing project consisting in the integration and alignment with Lazard finance processes of an AM company, specialized in Private Equity, ensuring compliance with US GAAP and French GAAP accounting standards, effective management control and corporate tax reporting and payment.
The role involves coordinating with various teams to ensure timely delivery of projects milestones, maintaining clear communication with stakeholders, and ensuring that all project goals are met within the stipulated deadlines.
 

The role also includes operational tasks, as long as the final organization of the Finance Department after integrating the target entity has not been defined and set up.
 

Missions

In close collaboration with the Head of AM Finance and her Deputy, your main missions will be:

• to manage the integration of the target entity’s accounting into Lazard Group consolidation process, ensuring strict adherence to US GAAP and Group management control practices (SOX)
• to manage the integration of the target entity’s accounting into the Holding company Compagnie Financière Lazard Frères’ scope, under French GAAP
• to ensure all project documentation is complete and up-to-date
• to set up a detailed project plan and adjust timelines and milestones as needed, to ensure that the key accounting and tax deadlines are met (monthly, quarterly, yearly closes, as well as budget and forecast)
• to prepare Finance project meetings (slides)
• to facilitate effective communication and coordinate with the various stakeholders, including:
  • the other team members of the Paris AM Finance team (Accounts Payable, Accounting, Group and Management reporting, Regulatory)
  • Group consolidation and accounting policy teams
  • Paris AM Finance teams (Accounting, Group reporting and Regulatory) and Tax team
  • Finance Operation team (FinOps)
  • Paris Project team for the contemplated acquisition: AM General Counsel, AM Management, HR Director, Private Equity Manager, external advisors, ..
  • The target’s CFO
• to analyze the transactions and assess their accounting and reporting incidence
• to perform operational accounting and reporting tasks, from UAT to actual postings, while accompanying the team to take over recurring tasks:
  • day-to-day accounting
  • consolidation accounting (Equity method, full consolidation...)
  • monthly, quarterly, yearly closings: accruals, US GAAP adjustments, tax calculations
  • control over minimum capital and cash requirements (Financial Market Authority regulated entity)
• to participate in the production of the Budget / Forecasts
• to prepare ad’hoc analyses
   

Background / Skills

• With a Finance Master or equivalent (Business school or university), you have a minimum 5-year experience in Finance, ideally including 3 seasons as an auditor and an experience as a financial / management controller in the Asset Management sector.
• You have a good knowledge of accounting in French GAAP and US or IFRS GAAP.
• You have practical computer skills (Windows pack Office: Excel, Word, Powerpoint).
• You are familiar with consolidation principles and tools.
• You have good organizational and communication skills and are fluent both in English and French languages.
• You have good analytical skills with a focus on management control.
• You can adapt easily to changing project requirements and priorities.
• You are used to collaborative work and have an experience in project management.
• You are accountable for what you produce.