Graduate Executive Assistant/Researcher

Top 15 Accountancy firm based in the City seek an Executive Assistant and Researcher to support the Managing Partner, dealing with public affairs and monitoring the impact of the political and economic environment on the firm. The ideal candidate must be keen to embrace both parts of this role to ensure seamless management of the firm and that time is used effectively. Core duties will include:

To be the first point of contact for the Managing Partner, and to be personally responsible for answering enquires by telephone, email and in person, ensuring a professional level of service is maintained at all times.

To provide diary management for the Managing Partner, including internal and external meetings, events, room bookings, catering requests, conference calls, greeting guests, making refreshments, lunch and travel arrangements.

To develop and maintain contact databases.

To compile the full year firm wide diary including all internal meetings, committees and business subsidiaries.

To draft and prepare the Managing Partners’ Monthly newsletter which is circulated to the firm.

To prepare speeches for the Managing and Senior Partner for a host of different occasions and events – from key note addresses to internal speeches.

To provide full secretariat support, including creating the agendas, collating and circulating of papers, minute taking and following up of action points for the following:

• Executive Board (Internal)
• Local Office Meetings (Internal) Charity Committee (Internal) Complaints Committee (Internal) The Association of Practising Accountants (External) Attending and taking the minutes for other meetings as necessary To compile creative presentations and speeches to relay the Executive Board’s strategic vision to the firm for a variety of events:

   

• Partners’ Conference
• Firm Inductions Trainee Inductions Sector Workshops Local Office Gatherings To organise and collate all relevant paperwork for the following:

   

• Annual Partner Reviews
• Bi-annual Salary Reviews Three Monthly Probation Reviews To be willing and enthusiastic in covering secretarial duties for additional Partners’ diary management and client work in the absence of the Senior Partners’ secretary.

   

  To be responsible for overseeing and implementing the firm’s ISO Complaints Procedure.

   

  To monitor the political landscape and changing economic environment with regards to Brexit.

   

  To provide a high level weekly update on issues surrounding Brexit and how this relates to our clients 

   

  To conduct extensive primary and secondary research into a broad range of matters relating to business, finance, politics and public affairs – as well as identifying and developing new topics of research.

   

  To researching competitor activity, opportunities in the market place, the impact of technology on the profession.

   

  To analyse daily news and keep the Managing and Senior Partner up to date with any relevant information concerning the accountancy profession, professional services firms, or any policy issues that may have an impact.

   

  To monitor the City of London Corporation’s news and developments concerning the Square Mile and London’s competitiveness, and develop working relationships with thought leaders in the City.

   

  To conduct social media analysis on other Top 20 / Top 100 accountancy firms.

   

  To prepare and write briefings for meetings and media interviews for the Managing and Senior Partner.

   

  To liaise and maintain good relationships with high level contacts at the ICAEW, SRA, CBI, FRC and other business bodies.

   

  To assist with writing letters to regulators and/or Government on specific issues affecting the accountancy profession (such as consultations) and other business related issues.

   

  To provide ad-hoc research and prepare presentations for our international association – Morison KSi.

   

  PERSON SPECIFICATION

   

  ·First Class Academics preferred.

   

  ·Degree Educated – preferential subjects: Political Science, Government & Politics, Economics, PPE.

   

  ·Previous office experience in a busy working environment is desired

   

  ·Previous Accountancy sector experience and knowledge is preferable.

   

  ·A keen interest in politics, public affairs, business and financial issues.

   

  ·Ability to distil high level information into digestible material for a wider audience.

   

  ·Excellent standard of written and spoken English.

   

  ·Excellent interpersonal skills for dealing with a wide range of different types of people, including very senior VIPs and business leaders.

   

  ·Self motivated and enthusiastic – a ‘can do’ attitude.

   

  ·Creative and innovative thinker.

   

  ·Confidence and ability to influence at a high level.

   

  ·Professional, tactful, discreet and diplomatic – this role carries a high amount of sensitive and confidential data.

   

  ·Accurate with exceptional attention to detail.

   

  ·Computer literate – fully proficient in all Microsoft Office programmes, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and experience with databases.