Budgeting and Forecasting

• Develop and manage the annual budget in conjunction with the Directors and senior management.
• Monitor actual expenditure and income against budget and investigate significant variances.
• Prepare financial forecasts and scenario planning to support the firm’s financial stability and long-term planning.
• Provide financial information to support recruitment, salary, expenditure, and investment decisions.

Audit and External Relationships

• Coordinate annual audits and other external financial reviews.
• Act as the main point of contact for external accountants, auditors, tax advisers, and other financial professionals.
• Implement and monitor recommendations arising from audits and financial reviews.
• Ensure appropriate financial documentation is maintained and readily available.

Team Leadership

• Manage, supervise, and develop members of the finance team.
• Allocate workloads and ensure financial tasks and deadlines are completed accurately and on time.
• Establish and maintain effective financial procedures and controls.
• Provide guidance and support to colleagues on financial processes and systems.

Strategic Financial Planning

• Work closely with the Director and senior management team to develop and implement financial strategies.
• Provide commercially sound financial advice while recognizing the firm’s legal aid funding model and regulatory obligations.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial efficiency, income recovery, and financial controls.
• Support the long-term financial sustainability of the firm.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline; ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualification preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in financial management, ideally within a legal aid, legal services, or regulated professional services environment.
• Demonstrable experience of preparing and submitting VAT returns and managing VAT compliance.
• Strong knowledge of UK financial regulations, HMRC requirements, and financial reporting.
• Good understanding of SRA Accounts Rules and financial compliance requirements, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly.
• Experience of working with Legal Aid Agency funding and financial requirements is highly desirable.
• Experience of managing or supervising a finance team.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work to strict regulatory and financial deadlines.
• Proficiency in financial/accounting software and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• Experience working within a legal aid law firm or other regulated legal environment.
• Knowledge of legal aid funding structures, billing, recoveries, and LAA requirements.
• Practical knowledge of VAT, including the preparation and submission of VAT returns.
• Experience dealing with external accountants, auditors, and HMRC.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and provide clear financial advice to senior management.
• Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professional judgment.

Why Join Lawstop?

At Lawstop, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a supportive, collaborative, and flexible working environment where employees are encouraged to develop and grow their careers.

We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• A supportive and inclusive culture.
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful social justice work.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• The opportunity to play a key role in the future growth and success of a respected Legal Aid practice.

Equal Opportunities

Lawstop is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from individuals of all ages, ethnicities, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, gender identities, nationalities, neurodiversity, disabilities, and those with parental or caring responsibilities.

We also offer flexible working arrangements.

During the application process, candidates are invited to inform us of any adjustments or support required to enable them to perform at their best. Any information provided will be treated in strict confidence.

Our recruitment process fully complies with GDPR and all applicable data protection legislation.