Partner Finance Officer at Herbert Smith Freehills

The Opportunity

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Partner Finance Officer to join our team in Sydney.

You will work with our Partner Finance Adviser, Global Tax and Partner Finance team and be responsible for assisting in the preparation and maintenance of all partner-related data.

This is a dynamic position that requires proven analytical skills, a high level of accuracy, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

What you’ll do

• Maintain partner database (bank/beneficiary details, profit points, leave, practice group, FTE history).

• Manage monthly/quarterly partner distributions: calculate, process payments, update systems, and publish remittances.

• Allocate and post interest on partner capital.

• Coordinate quarterly capital loan rollovers, including onboarding, retirements, interest, and documentation.

• Review and reconcile annual partner insurance (life/TPD/salary continuance) and identify underwriting opportunities.

• Process partner deductions (parking, donations, health, superannuation, etc.).

• Reconcile partner-related general ledger accounts.

• Manage sabbatical allowance payments.

• Respond to partner queries and process changes (payments, beneficiaries, bank details, reports).

• Calculate partner packages (adjustments for leave, FTE changes) and prepare partner cashflow statements.

• Maintain up-to-date documentation.

• Fulfil WHS responsibilities, including promoting a safe and respectful workplace.

What you’ll bring

• Transactional accounting experience (such as journal posting, general ledger reconciliations, payment requisitions).

• Demonstratable integrity and understanding of the importance of confidential information.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build effective and trusting relationships with people internally and externally.

• Proven organisational and time management skills with the ability to think ahead, prioritise workload and work under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated attention to detail.

• Clear initiative, decision making and problem-solving skills.

• Professional partnership experience (preferable, but not essential).

• Intermediate Excel skills.

• Access skills (preferable, but not essential).

What you can expect from us

• We’re a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity and digital innovation. We are client-centred, commercially driven, and renowned for our solution-focused expertise. We will align your growth with our ambitions.

• We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.

• We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.

• We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a strong emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you’ll have it and we’ll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.

• For more benefits on offer such as our holistic wellbeing fund or home office allowance please click here.

• Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia’s market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

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Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.