Careers

About Ashurst:

Ashurst Ashurst is a leading progressive global law firm with a rich history spanning more than 200 years. We are proud of our history and are future-focused, having expanded into new technologies through our NewLaw division, Ashurst Advance, and our consulting arm. Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing excellent standards of service have seen us become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments in all areas of commercial law. To find out more, please visit www.ashurst.com.

Department/ Role overview:

We are looking for a meticulous and proactive team player to join the Financial Management team in Hong Kong.

The Working Capital Manager will be responsible for working with the Asia Pacific Credit Control and Business Manager teams to provide working capital support to practices and partners in Asia. Analyse working capital operations throughout the region and drive best practice.

Geographical coverage includes Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, Indonesia, and Japan.

Main responsibilities:

Provide working capital support to Ashurst's Asia operations

• Co-ordinate the region's working capital activity in partnership with the firm's global credit control teams, Business Managers and Practice Heads.
• Regularly meet with Partners and their Practice Executives to review their matters, advise on effective billing arrangements to be included under terms of engagement and agree on appropriate billing and collections actions, bringing to partners attention any complicated clients as appropriate.
• Monitor Asia's WIP and proactively work with internal clients to ensure billing occurs in a timely fashion in accordance with the agreed terms of business.
• Monitor Asia's debtors and proactively work with internal and external clients to advance payment.
• Escalate complicated WIP and debtor challenges to the relevant Business Managers, Practice Heads, Credit Control Team Leader (Australia) and Head of Finance (Asia) as appropriate.

Identify working capital process improvement opportunities

• Gain an understanding of the varied billing and collections processes used in Singapore and then throughout the region (HK, Indonesia, Japan and China).
• Identify and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of current working capital processes. Implement improvements for each office in partnership with the global Credit Control team, Business Managers, Practice Heads and Partners.
• Assess whether billing is in accordance with the agreed client terms and/or associated client billing guidelines. Assess the rate of associated invoice reversals and rejections.
• Assess the effectiveness of the e-billing function by reviewing communications between the regional offices and the e-billing team in Glasgow. Assess the rate of e-billing invoice rejections for Asia.
• Involvement with firm working capital projects as required.

Essential skills and experience

• Significant credit management experience (5+ years) in the professional services sector with a mature understanding of best practice techniques for credit control.
• A developed understanding of the various Asian business cultures; ability to understand English, Mandarin and Cantonese or any other Asian languages would be an advantage.
• Excellent problem solving skills, including ability to analyse business processes, identify inefficiencies and recommend solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate issues to internal clients, peers and seniors in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to work autonomously - manage own time and organise/plan workload.
• Ability to work under pressure, deal with tight deadlines and demonstrate flexibility as required to perform the role.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of internal and external client needs.
• Able to challenge the status quo.

Desired skills and experience

• Process improvement experience or qualification.
• Asian regional experience is important.
• Exposure to electronic billing (eBilling) platforms and portals advantageous.
• Previous experience in legal partnership or professional services environment highly desirable.
• Sound technology skills, including intermediate Excel skills

Background checks

In order to comply with regulatory and client requirements, Ashurst will undertake appropriate vetting of staff. When applicants accept a job offer, Ashurst, alongside a specialist provider, will undertake professional verification and background checks. These checks are only undertaken with consent, and in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations.