Director of International Accounting & Finance

We are delighted to have partnered exclusively with US law firm, McDermott Will & Schulte to appoint them a new Director of International Accounting & Finance, a senior leadership role based in London with responsibility for the firm's European finance and accounting operations.

The Firm

McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm with approximately $3bn in revenue and a strong international platform. The London office is one of the firm's fastest-growing globally, forming a key part of its European network alongside offices in Paris, Germany, Brussels, and Milan. Each international office operates as its own partnership, while all partners participate in a single, unit-based global compensation model, creating both complexity and opportunity at an international level.

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior, visible, and influential leadership role within a highly regarded global professional services firm. Based in London, the Director of International Accounting & Finance will provide strategic and operational leadership across all European offices, overseeing accounting, finance, reporting, controls, and compliance in a complex, multi-jurisdictional environment.

The role reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (based in the US) and acts as the senior finance lead across the European platform. You will lead a senior-level finance team across multiple jurisdictions, each operating in its local currency, while ensuring consistency, control, and alignment with firmwide standards and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

International Finance Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of accounting and finance operations across McDermott's European offices
• Lead, develop, and mentor senior finance leaders across jurisdictions, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture
• Act as a trusted finance partner to local Managing Partners and office leadership teams

Financial Reporting & Global Integration

• Oversee European financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and completeness
• Ensure effective consolidation of EMEA results into global financials, including foreign currency translation and intercompany considerations
• Partner closely with U.S.-based finance teams on global reporting, budgeting, and forecasting

Regulatory Compliance, Controls & Governance

• Ensure compliance with all local statutory accounting, regulatory, and reporting requirements across Europe
• Coordinate with internal tax teams and external advisers on international tax and structural matters (tax awareness required, though not a pure tax role)
• Establish and maintain robust internal control frameworks and support audit requirements
• Take on, or grow into, COFA responsibilities, working closely with compliance and leadership teams

Process Improvement & Strategic Change

• Drive standardisation and continuous improvement of accounting processes, policies, and systems across jurisdictions
• Lead initiatives to improve efficiency, scalability, and data integrity
• Support international growth, office development, and firmwide strategic and structural change initiatives

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong, credible relationships across regions, cultures, and time zones
• Work closely with U.S. leadership in a genuinely global operating model
• Travel internationally as required to support offices and strengthen relationships

Candidate Profile

McDermott Will & Schulte is seeking a senior finance leader with:

• Significant experience operating in a multi-jurisdictional, international law firm environment
• The gravitas and credibility to influence senior stakeholders within a complex partnership structure
• Strong leadership capabilities and experience managing senior finance professionals across geographies
• Deep understanding of accounting, reporting, controls, and compliance
• Experience with UK and European statutory frameworks
• A collaborative, pragmatic approach and strong cross-cultural communication skills

Qualifications:

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline
• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, CPA, or equivalent) preferred
• 10+ years' progressive experience in senior accounting and finance roles

Why This Role?

• Succeed a long-tenured, highly respected leader in a well-established, high-performing international finance function
• Play a central role in shaping the firm's European finance platform during a period of growth and expansion
• Join a firm with a strong reputation for collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Operate in a genuinely global role with close exposure to U.S. leadership and firmwide strategy

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you know someone who would be great at this role, why not take advantage of our referral scheme? We offer £200 in shopping vouchers for every referred candidate who we place in a role. Terms & Conditions Apply.