Accounts Payable Specialist

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. Our work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

The firm has recently expanded its global network of 23 offices, including new offices in Madrid and Zurich, and we are now looking for a talented Accounts Payable Specialist to join the London Finance team.

The successful candidate will report to the London Finance Manager, work closely with the Accounts Payable Supervisor, and will be an integral part of the Accounts Payable and Cashiering team.  

Responsibilities include:

• Review invoices and expense claims submitted by Firm personnel for coding, accuracy, VAT/tax validity, and compliance with Firm policy.
• Deal with all related enquiries, internal and external, whilst providing the highest level of customer service.
• Set up regular bank transfer payment runs for approved invoices and expense claims and submit standard release e-mails and supporting documentation to internal approvers for bank payment release purposes.
• Exceptionally, enter invoices directly onto the Aderant accounts system and prepare single manual cheque requests and one-off bank transfers where necessary.
• Liaise with the Firm’s larger invoice vendors (e.g. Gett, Deliveroo, Uber, Vodafone) and manage the receipt, amendment and posting of high-volume e-invoices onto Aderant.
• Communicate with attorneys and their secretaries to resolve invoice transaction issues.
• Jointly maintain the Firm’s master Vendor records; set up new vendor details and adhere to the Firm’s policy on call-back procedures in use for new vendors and changes in vendor bank details.
• Jointly maintain a Firm-approved vendor call-back log and make available to firm management on request.
• Provide other assistance to the Accounts Payable Supervisor and Legal Cashiers during the working day as required.
• Coordinate the entry of unposted disbursement invoices with the London billers, to allow the timely issue of Firm bills. Provide them with reports on request to assist bill production and payment.
• Work with other team members to ensure the Firm expenses are coded to the correct accounts and the correct entries appear in the main general ledger control accounts (e.g. bank, petty cash, VAT, personal accounts, etc.).
• Compile adjusting general ledger journals using the Firm’s standard journal format and submit to the LA finance team along with supporting documentation.
• Participate in special project work and deal with ad-hoc requests as needed. Enforce Firm practices, policies and procedures as they relate to Accounts Payable.
• Actively work to identify and implement opportunities for process improvements within the accounts department to increase efficiency.
• Take part in regular meetings with Finance Manager and participate in other inter-office meetings and training sessions.
• Provide work cover to other offices as required and weekend on-demand cover during the year-end push period (September to December). 

Qualifications and Skills: 

• Working knowledge of CMS Aderant is an advantage
• Experience working with the suite of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience of working in a similar finance role, ideally a law firm (US firm preferred) with multiple overseas offices.
• Good working knowledge of UK and international/EU VAT requirements plus the detailed tax rules applicable to business expenditure in the UK.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong analytical skills
• Detail-oriented in all tasks, including excellent proof-reading and research skills
• Strong time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to develop strong internal and external relationships, including ability to work effectively with people at all levels
• Strong customer service ethic
• Ability to multitask and prioritise responsibilities
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills

Education & Experience:

• Ideally 1-3 years professional experience in a similar finance position.
• Law firm or professional services experience is preferred.

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.