Contract Legal Finance Manager

TLT LLP; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading law firm in the UK is seeking a Contract Legal Finance Manager for its Operational Finance team in Bristol. This role focuses on various operational tasks, supporting accounts receivable and payable functions, and requires strong leadership in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will possess legal finance management experience and be adept in finance platforms. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage with all areas of finance operations while contributing to a major system replacement project.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a legal finance function.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong initiative and adaptability required.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve travel spend.
• Authorize payment runs for Purchase Ledger team.
• Manage weekly team schedules.
• Update daily cashflow forecasts.
• Complete daily bank reconciliations.
• Perform monthly client account reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly financial reports.
• Conduct review meetings for billing queries.

Skills

Legal finance experience in a management/team leader position

Experience with SOS finance platforms

Strong teamwork ethic

Competent in Microsoft Excel

Strong communication skills

Strong leadership abilities

Problem-solving mindset

Job description

We are seeking a Contract Legal Finance Manager to join our Operational Finance team on an initial 3-6 month contract.

Reporting directly to the Head of Operational Finance, you will work closely with managers across all finance functions to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Billing, Credit Control, and Supplier Payments.

This role is critical in maintaining business-as-usual operations while supporting the team managers as they focus on a major project to replace our current finance system.

As Legal Finance Manager, you will take ownership of a wide range of operational and leadership tasks. This is a rare opportunity to gain exposure to all areas of finance operations within a large law firm, as such, a strong sense of prioritisation and flexibility are a must for the successful candidate.

This role is based in Bristol and requires office attendance, so individuals must reside in a commutable distance to our Bristol office.

You will be paid on a day rate via an Umbrella company.

Your Role

Your day-to-day tasks will include, but are not limited to;

• Travel Approvals – Review and approve/reject all out-of-policy travel spend and inter-office travel.
• Payment Approvals – Authorise all payment runs for the Purchase Ledger team via Barclays.net.
• Rota Planning – Manage weekly team schedules to ensure full coverage.
• Cashflow Management – Update daily cashflow forecasts with expected income and expenditure.
• Bank Reconciliations – Complete daily reconciliations and post standing orders/direct debits.
• Client Account Reconciliations – Perform and sign off monthly reconciliations.
• Performance Reporting – Prepare monthly stats, KPIs, and financial control reports.
• Risk & Finance Reporting – Collate PowerPoint slides for partner meetings.
• Receipts Review – Monitor third-party payor receipts and act as escalation point.
• Trust Account Oversight – Conduct monthly reviews and manual reconciliations of sole accounts.
• Team Oversight – Manage Topdesk ticketing system across all teams.
• Debt Management – Review “no chase” debt list and oversee monthly debt provisions.
• Credit Control Reporting – Ensure accurate end-of-day reporting.
• Policy Queries – Handle queries related to debt retention policy and reporting.
• Billing Management – Oversee complex billing queries, attend issue-resolution meetings, and manage month-end billing cycles, including prioritisation and resourcing.
• E-Billing – Oversee the E-billing ledger and attend monthly meetings
• Revenue Control – Oversee the Revenue Controllers, produce monthly KPI’s and track progress

Your Skills and Experience

• Legal finance experience in a management/team leader position.
• Have worked on SOS (Solicitors Own Software) finance platforms.
• Able to use own initiative, have strong teamwork ethic, be adaptable and flexible.
• Be competent in all Microsoft office applications, specifically Excel.
• Work well under pressure and to tight deadlines whilst managing multiple tasks.
• Have strong communication skills and be able to communicate at all levels.
• Be a strong leader with an ability to coach and support a team both in person and remotely.
• Be able to think laterally to solve problems within an evolving finance team.

About TLT

Fast paced, fast growing and forward thinking, TLT is the law firm that helps clients stay one step ahead, and we do the same for our people.

We work with high profile clients in innovative sectors. With local, national and international reach, we have over 1,800 people in offices across the UK and a network of partner firms across Europe, India and the US. TLT was named Law Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2023. This marks the third year in a row the firm has taken away this accolade in industry awards - having previously been named Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards in 2021 and the British Legal Awards in 2022.

Our purpose is to protect, prepare and progress our clients for what comes next and it’s essential that we do the same for our people, our planet and our communities too. In our open and collaborative culture, we encourage everyone to be their whole self, to have a voice and to contribute.

TLT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and encourages applications from all suitably qualified people, regardless of disability, race, gender identity, sex