Client Finance Assistant

Birketts LLP; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Profit share

Staff bonus

Hybrid working

Gym membership

Dress for your Day

Job summary

Birketts LLP in Ipswich is seeking a Finance Officer within the Client and Business Finance team. You will manage client and office payments, support financial workflows, and help maintain robust accounting records.

The role requires experience in legal or professional services finance, strong organisational skills, and a proactive approach to training and development. Hybrid working applies, with a 6‑month probation and a split of 60% office / 40% home after probation.

Qualifications

• Experience in legal accounts or similar professional services environment.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• People management and leadership experience.
• Excellent communication and prioritisation abilities.
• Strong IT skills and proficiency with finance systems.
• High accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process payments and receipts for client and office accounts.
• Carry out CHAPS, BACS, International Payments, and transfers within agreed time limits.
• Assist and support other team members as required.
• Perform administrative duties and maintain accurate records.
• Keep knowledge and skills up-to-date, requesting training as needed.

Skills

Experience in legal accounts

Organisational skills

People management

Communication and prioritisation

IT skills

Attention to detail

Job description

About Us

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

About Us

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

The team you will join

The Client and Business Finance team sits within our wider Business Services Division. The team supports the firm through expert financial management across client and internal operations. We are a collaborative team made up of Client Finance, Business Finance, Finance Systems and Credit Control, working together to deliver clarity, compliance and efficiency. The focus is on enabling secure, transparent and future-ready financial processes that align with the firm’s strategic goals.

The work you will be doing

• Receive and process payments and receipts for client and office accounts.
• Carry out CHAPS, BACS, International Payments, and transfers within agreed time limits.
• Assist and support other team members as required.
• Perform administrative duties and maintain accurate records.
• Keep knowledge and skills up-to-date, requesting training as needed.

What we are looking for

• Experience in legal accounts or similar professional services environment.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• People management and leadership.
• Excellent communication and prioritisation.
• Strong IT skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.

Hybrid Working

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. During your 6 month probation period, there will be a requirement to be in the office full time whilst you are developing in the role. Once you have successfully passed probation, this role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Benefits

As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your Day Policy

Inclusivity and Culture

At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

If you require this advert in an accessible format, please visit https://diversityjobsgroup.com/company/birketts/

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically.

Our expectations regarding AI use in applications:

• Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input.
• Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process.
• If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process.
• Do not submit content generated by AI tools that may include personal or sensitive data not intended for public disclosure.
• AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the role and our firm’s values.

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. The use of AI should enhance, not compromise, your application. We encourage candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, commercial awareness, and a genuine interest in our firm. If you have any questions about our expectations or the use of AI in your application, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team via [e-mail]