Russells Solicitors
Senior Finance Manager
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Role Summary
Russells Solicitors are seeking an experienced, commercially minded Senior Finance Manager to lead the day-to-day finance function of the firm. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and working closely with the Finance Partner, this is a senior leadership role responsible for financial control, management reporting, cash flow management, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of finance processes.
The successful candidate will act as a trusted business partner to the firm’s Partners and fee earners, providing insightful financial analysis and helping drive strong financial performance across the business. This role combines operational finance leadership with strategic financial management and requires an individual who is comfortable working hands-on while also contributing to wider business decisions.
The position is office-based for a minimum of four days per week.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Management & Reporting
- Lead all month-end and year-end financial processes, ensuring accuracy, robustness, and timely delivery.
- Prepare monthly management accounts, including analysis, commentary, and performance insights.
- Produce financial reports and KPIs for the COO, Finance Partner, and Equity Partners.
- Maintain the integrity of financial records and ensure appropriate financial controls are in place.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
- Assist in the preparation of statutory accounts and coordinate with external accountants and auditors as required.
Team Leadership
- Directly manage and develop the Senior Legal Cashier.
- Ensure effective operation of all client and office account processes.
- Foster a high-performance, service-oriented finance function.
Cash Flow, WIP & Credit Control
- Take ownership of firm-wide cash flow management and forecasting.
- Monitor and actively manage working capital, including WIP, disbursements, and aged debt.
- Develop strong relationships with Partners and fee earners to drive billing discipline and debt recovery.
- Provide regular reporting and recommendations to improve lock-up performance.
Banking & Treasury Management
- Act as the primary relationship manager with the firm’s banking partners.
- Monitor banking facilities and ensure effective management of cash resources.
- Evaluate and recommend suitable financing solutions where required, including working capital and growth funding options.
- Oversee day-to-day treasury management activities.
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Payroll & Expenses
- Lead the transition of payroll services from an outsourced model to an in-house operation.
- Assume responsibility for the firm’s payroll process, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
- Manage and develop the firm’s expenses system and related policies.
- Administer and oversee the company’s corporate credit card programme.
Payments & Authorisation
- Authorise office and client account payments in accordance with firm policies and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain robust financial controls around payment approvals and cash management.
- Ensure all transactions are appropriately documented and compliant.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Act as the finance lead for the firm’s Efimis accounting system.
- Continuously review finance processes, controls, and workflows to identify opportunities for efficiency and improvement.
- Recommend and implement enhancements to reporting, automation, and financial management practices.
- Work closely with operational teams to improve financial data quality and reporting capability.
Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules and all relevant regulatory requirements.
- Maintain strong controls over client money and financial processes.
- Support compliance reviews, audits, and regulatory reporting requirements.
- Keep abreast of changes in legal sector financial regulation and best practice.
Strategic Business Partnering
- Work closely with the COO and Finance Partner to support strategic decision-making.
- Build trusted relationships with Partners and fee earners across the firm.
- Present financial performance, trends, and recommendations at Equity Partner meetings.
- Provide commercial insight to support profitability, growth, and operational effectiveness.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
- Significant experience in a senior finance role.
- Experience producing monthly management accounts and leading month-end and year-end processes.
- Strong cash flow management and financial planning experience.
- Track record of managing WIP, billing, and aged debt in a professional services environment.
- Experience managing finance staff and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to challenge and influence senior professionals.
- Excellent analytical, organisational, and communication skills.
- Experience managing payroll and financial controls.
- Strong systems capability and enthusiasm for process improvement.
- Advanced Excel skills.
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Desirable
- Experience within a law firm or other regulated professional services business.
- Working knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules.
- Experience with Efimis or similar legal accounting systems.
- Experience bringing outsourced finance processes in-house.
- Knowledge of legal sector billing, matter management, and profitability reporting.
Personal Attributes
- Commercially astute with strong business judgement.
- Hands-on and detail-oriented whilst able to think strategically.
- Confident communicator with credibility at Partner level.
- Proactive, resilient, and solutions-focused.
- Strong sense of accountability and ownership.
- Collaborative approach with the ability to build trusted relationships across the firm.
- Committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Reporting Line
- Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Key Relationships: Finance Partner, Equity Partners, Senior Legal Cashier, Fee Earners, External Accountants and Auditors, Banking Partners, Payroll and System Providers
Location
- London (minimum 4 days per week in the office)
This is an excellent opportunity for a high-calibre finance professional to play a key role in the continued growth and success of one of the UK’s leading media, entertainment, and creative industries law firms.
Salary
- £80,000 - £95,000 depending on experience.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please send your CV and short covering letter to Joanne Cocozza and Tiffany Austin –
joanne.cocozza@russells.co.uk / tiffany.ausin@russells.co.uk
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