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Head of Finance
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Head of Finance
An established and growing legal firm is seeking an experienced Head of Finance to lead its finance function and play a key role in driving business performance, financial governance, and strategic decision-making. This is an exciting opportunity to help with the strategy and growth of this organisation.
Role Overview
Reporting directly to the Managing Partner and working closely with the Partnership, you will take ownership of all aspects of financial management, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting, regulatory compliance, and the delivery of insightful management information. This is a hands-on leadership role with responsibility for both the strategic direction and day-to-day operation of the finance department.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership and Development: Lead and develop the finance function, ensuring the highest standards of financial control, compliance, and reporting.
- Financial Reporting: Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting cycle, including management accounts, year-end accounts, and external audits.
- Financial Analysis: Produce detailed financial analysis, forecasts, budgets, cash flow projections, and performance reports for the Partnership.
- Budgeting and Forecasting: Drive the annual budgeting and forecasting process, supporting strategic business planning and growth initiatives.
- Transaction Management: Oversee all banking, cash management, reconciliations, supplier payments, payroll submissions, and transactional finance activities.
- Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards, tax legislation, regulatory requirements, and SAR Accounts Rules.
- Tax Management: Manage VAT, PAYE, Corporation Tax, Partner Tax, and all statutory financial obligations.
- Financial Insight: Provide commercially focused financial insight to support profitability, performance management, and business decision-making.
- Systems and Processes: Maintain and optimize financial systems, controls, processes, and reporting frameworks.
- Communication: Prepare and present financial information to Partners and senior stakeholders in a clear and meaningful way.
- Audit and Governance: Lead audit activity and ensure effective governance, risk management, and internal controls across the firm.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement within finance operations and identify opportunities to enhance efficiency through technology and process optimization.
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About You
We're looking for an accomplished finance leader who combines strong technical expertise with commercial awareness and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
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Essential Requirements
- ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
- Proven experience leading a finance function within a professional services environment, ideally legal service.
- Strong expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, taxation, audit, and financial control.
- Experience producing management information and presenting financial results at Board, Partner, or Executive level.
- Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business insight.
- Strong people leadership skills and experience managing and developing a finance team.
- Advanced systems knowledge and a track record of improving finance processes and control.
Desirable
- Experience within a law firm or regulated legal environment.
- Knowledge of SAR Accounts Rules and partnership accounting.
- Experience of legal practice management and accounting systems.
Why Apply
This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected firm in a pivotal leadership position, where you will have genuine influence over financial strategy, operational performance, and future growth. You'll work closely with senior leadership, contribute to key business decisions, and play a central role in shaping the firm's continued success.
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