Working Capital Analyst (15-mo contract)

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Contract 15‑month Working Capital Analyst in Sydney – hybrid role supporting finance & commercial insight.

Join Clifford Chance’s finance team to optimise profitability, drive cash conversion and partner with senior lawyers.

Job Description

We are seeking a motivated Working Capital Analyst for the Australian Finance Team. The role plays an important part in working capital management, with primary responsibilities across revenue and WIP management.

The role combines strong financial discipline with proactive business partnering, helping Partners and senior stakeholders optimise profitability, improve cash conversion, and manage financial risk. The Analyst will play a critical role in enhancing commercial decision-making through data-driven insights and close engagement with stakeholders.

The role requires a self-starter with a positive attitude and a strong willingness to learn. It offers the opportunity to contribute to the wider APAC and global finance network.

The Finance team is energetic, high performing, and collaborative. As a global firm with a growing presence in Australia, Clifford Chance offers the right individual a rewarding opportunity to build a long-term career and grow alongside the business.

The Role

Working Capital Management/Commercial Advisory Support

• Monitor and manage work in progress (WIP), billing, and collections across assigned matters/portfolios
• Track aged WIP and debt balances, proactively identifying risks and escalation points
• Support billing processes, as needed, to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Partner with stakeholders to drive timely billing and collection of outstanding invoices
• Maintain data integrity across working capital systems and reporting tools
• Assist in the preparation of cash collection forecasting, bill forecasting and income flash reporting

Commercial Advisory & Matter Economics

• Provide financial insight into matter performance, including profitability, recovery rates, and cost drivers
• Support pricing discussions through analysis of rate structures, fee arrangements, and commercial terms
• Assist in the evaluation of alternative fee arrangements and their financial implications
• Analyse variances between expected and actual performance, highlighting opportunities for improvement
• Support decision-making by translating financial data into clear commercial recommendations

Business Partnering

• Develop strong relationships with Partners, lawyers, and Business Development teams
• Act as a trusted finance contact to support discussions on billing, collections, and profitability
• Challenge and influence behaviours where necessary to improve financial outcomes
• Support regular financial reviews with stakeholders, providing insights and driving actions

Reporting & Analytics

• Leverage Matter IQ/WIP Tool for WIP, debt, billing, and cash collection trends
• Leverage BI tools and dashboards to deliver actionable insights
• Support forecasting of cash flow, revenues, and working capital movements
• Identify trends and risks, providing forward-looking analysis

General Controls, Compliance and Audit

• Maintain strong knowledge of Matter Set-up, WIP, Billings and Collections-related policies, controls, and procedures.
• Support internal audits and FGP reviews

Ad hoc

• Other duties as directed by HOF or Working Capital Controller

Qualifications

Your Experience

The successful candidate will ideally have the following skills and competencies:

Technical & Analytical

• Strong financial analysis and data interpretation skills
• Understanding of working capital concepts (WIP, debt, billing, collections)
• Proficiency in Excel and data visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI)

Commercial & Business Partnering

• Ability to connect financial data to commercial outcomes
• Confidence to engage and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts clearly
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capability
• Collaborative and proactive approach

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field
• Relevant experience in finance, working capital, FP&A, or commercial finance roles
• Experience in a professional services environment is advantageous

Adaptability and Learning Agility

• Adapts quickly to new systems, processes, and changing business needs.
• Demonstrates curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn continuously.

Problem Solving and Initiative

• Approaches challenges with a practical mindset and identifies solutions in a timely manner.
• Shows initiative in improving ways of working and supporting process efficiency.

Professionalism and Collaboration

• Works collaboratively with colleagues and contributes positively to team effectiveness.
• Demonstrates accountability, professionalism, and commitment to high standards of work.

Company Description

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team‑based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not‑for‑profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world‑class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Additional Information

Equal opportunities statement

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here .