Our client are leading specialist partnership, employment and regulatory law advisers to Multi-National Companies, Professional Partnerships, Senior Executives and Partners.
They are now looking to hire a Finance Manager on a permanent basis in their London office. The Finance Manager will oversee the firm's transactional finance activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements (including SRA Accounts Rules), and supporting the preparation of management information. The role offers the opportunity to take on broader responsibilities over time, including greater involvement in budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
Responsibilities
- Working closely with the Legal Cashier, Billing and Credit Control Coordinator, and Practice Assistant in respect of their responsibilities.
- Ensure appropriate cover and continuity within the finance function during periods of absence.
- Support the professional development of team members and foster a positive, collaborative working environment.
- When required, act as the point of contact for the finance function in the absence of the Finance Director.
- Monitoring bank accounts, managing cash positions, and processing payments.
- Work with our credit controller ensuring timely collection of outstanding fees and disbursements.
- Monitor aged debt and escalate collection issues as appropriate.
- Prepare cash flow information and support cash flow forecasting.
- Work closely with the Billing and Credit Control Coordinator to ensure accurate and timely invoicing.
- Monitor work in progress levels across the firm and report on WIP ageing and recoverability.
- Liaise with fee earners to address billing queries.
- Monthly payroll process with the Practice Manager, ensuring accurate and timely payment of salaries.
- Liaise with external payroll providers (if applicable) and ensure compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, and pension obligations.
- Maintain appropriate records and respond to payroll-related queries from staff.
- Maintaining records for P11D submission.
- Understand compliance required with SRA Accounts Rules, including the proper handling and recording of client money.
- Support the firm's Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) in discharging their regulatory responsibilities.
- Ensure timely completion of client-to-office money transfers and monitor compliance with residual balance rules.
- Assist with the preparation of information for the firm's annual accountant's report.
- Assist with preparation of monthly management accounts in a timely and accurate manner, including profit and loss, balance sheet, and supporting schedules.
- Produce regular financial reports for the Finance Director, Managing Partner, and partners as required.
- Assist with monitoring financial performance, including highlighting variances and trends for review. Maintain accurate records of partner drawings, tax reserve payments, and capital account balances.
- Support the annual budgeting process by preparing financial data, schedules, and analysis as directed.
- Assist with the preparation of financial forecasts and scenario modelling.
- Monitor actual performance against budget and report on variances.
- Ensure the integrity of financial data within the firm's practice management and accounting systems.
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and controls.
- Support system upgrades and implementations as required.
- Provide cover for the Finance Director and wider team during periods of absence, ensuring continuity.
- Liaise with external accountants and auditors as required.
- Undertake other duties commensurate with the role as reasonably requested.
Candidate Profile
- Part Qualified or equivalent with experience in a law firm.
- Strong technical accounting skills, including preparation of management accounts.
- Experience of working in a small finance team.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across the firm.
- A proactive, hands-on approach and willingness to be flexible and to undertake a broad range of tasks.
- Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
- Familiarity with SRA Accounts Rules and client money handling requirements.
- Experience with legal practice management systems (e.g., Tessaract, Clio, LEAP, Quill, or similar).
- Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
- Knowledge of partnership accounting and taxation.
Important Notice
It is Career Legal’s policy, as a matter of courtesy, to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to respond to individual candidates. If we have not contacted, you within three working days your application has been unsuccessful, and your details have not been retained. Please apply for any other position that you may see in the future. Thank you.
Career Legal is a Recruitment Agency and is advertising this permanent on behalf of one of its clients.
