Company Secretarial Assistant (Leeds or London)

UK Job Description
Description
Our Corporate team advises clients across the full spectrum of corporate finance, from mergers and acquisitions to private equity investments. We work with a dynamic mix of substantial private companies, private equity-backed businesses, ambitious entrepreneurs, and fast-growing ventures.
We have a dedicated Company Secretarial Group that forms a part of our Corporate team. The Company Secretarial Group provides services to a wide range of businesses, with a portfolio of over 300 UK companies as well as supporting the wider Corporate team. The team have a combined experience of over 70 years’ in the company secretarial field. We offer a personal pro-active service, based on in-depth experience of both complex corporate matters and regular statutory compliance duties required of corporations. Our range of services is tailored to support international businesses in the establishment and administration of their corporate structures and affairs in the relevant jurisdiction. Reed Smith is an Authorised Corporate Services Provider (ACSP) and the team offer clients IDV services.
The range of services offered by the team include strategic advice on jurisdiction set up, entity setup, full management and administration services, co- ordinating company filings, acting as official company secretary, preparing minutes and resolutions, providing registered office and mail forwarding services and maintaining statutory records and books. Additional services offered by the team include assisting with the process of legalisation and notarisation of documents, assisting with corporate due diligence, preparing corporate summaries.
The Firm
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. With 1,700+ lawyers in more than 30 offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States. London is our largest EME office with approximately 700 people, including over 300 fee earners across the full range of commercial practice areas.
Operating as one global partnership, we represent leading international businesses from FTSE 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises; advising clients on cross border transactions, international commercial disputes and regulation. We specialise in industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, energy and natural resources, entertainment and media, shipping and real estate.
We all share a common culture, with core values supporting the firm’s commitment to add value, achieve excellence, and promote professional development. We place a huge significance on listening to our people and incorporating their ideas wherever possible.
Responsibilities
As a Company Secretarial Assistant, you’ll play a key role in supporting our portfolio of company secretarial clients, working collaboratively with and supporting the rest of the Company Secretarial team. Our diverse client base spans all of Reed Smith’s offices, giving you the opportunity to collaborate across the firm and make a real impact.
With the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), the regulatory landscape has evolved significantly and you will support on new areas, such as ID Verification Your expertise will be central to helping us maintain the highest standards of service and governance.
Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Liaising with clients in a timely, professional and courteous manner
• Incorporation of new companies, branches, partnerships
• Support on the day-to-day company secretarial requests received from clients and acting as the first point of contact
• Maintaining and updating information for all entities using Diligent software
• Dealing with general company secretarial paperwork e.g. maintenance of statutory files and registers
• Complete Company House filings
• Preparation of client Confirmation Statements and Accounts/AGM approval documentation
• Review and filing Confirmation Statements and Accounts with Companies House
• Processing Identity Verification and obtaining Personal Codes
• Researching, analysing and drafting minutes, resolutions and other documents
• Reviewing draft process agent letters for signature by the Company Secretaries and maintaining the schedule of Process Agent appointments
• File opening and closing
• Engagement and exit letters
• Conflict checks
• Review of billing reports and preparation of bills
• Provision of statutory information to auditors
• Responsibility for the compliance diary
• Liaise with corporate colleagues in regard to new business opportunities and otherwise promote the Company Secretarial Group internally and to clients
  

Key Skills, Attributes And Experience

• Previous relevant experience or a genuine interest in this area is desirable
• Familiarity with Diligent (formerly Blueprint) or similar software will be advantageous
• Dynamic and driven individual with initiative and a 'can-do' attitude
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise to work to deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and time constraints
• Good team-working skills
• Good general IT skills: thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
  

At Reed Smith, we welcome direct applications either in response to one of our advertised vacancies or on a speculative basis. Please click on the “Apply Now” button to submit your details and we will be in touch.
No search firms/agencies please.
Reed Smith's success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran's status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.
We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you have a disability or a long-term health condition and require adjustments to be made for you within the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Recruitment team. For more information on our approach to diversity and inclusion please visit our website .
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