Finance Compliance Manager

JR United Kingdom; Stafford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK-based legal and professional services firm is seeking a Finance Compliance Manager for their Stoke office. This role involves leading a compliance team, ensuring adherence to financial regulations, and improving financial processes. The successful candidate will have strong financial acumen and experience in managing compliance in the legal industry.

Qualifications

• Experience in a financial compliance audit role or legal services industry.
• Knowledge of SRA's Solicitors Accounts Rules is beneficial.
• Experience in team management and developing staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a team of three Compliance Analysts.
• Ensure compliance with Solicitors Accounts Rules and AML rules.
• Lead the annual SRA audit and improve compliance processes.

Skills

Financial compliance

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Financial acumen

Time management

Job description

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Knights is a listed, UK based legal and professional services business, operating from 32 locations nationwide.

For more than a decade, we have done things differently. In 2012, we established our platform as one of the first law firms to transition from a traditional partnership model to a corporate structure.

We work with a diverse range of clients, including global brands, FTSE 100 companies, private businesses, and individuals, to deliver professional services with speed, accessibility, and clear communication.

Finance Compliance Manager

We are seeking a talented individual to join our busy finance team based out of our Stoke office.

Key responsibilities

We will provide you with first class training to equip you with the skills you need to succeed in this role. Responsibilities will involve (but are not exclusive to) the following tasks:

• Leading and coaching a team of three Compliance Analysts.
• Ensuring compliance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules and AML rules.
• Leading the annual Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) annual audit and acting on any subsequent feedback.
• Leading the process regarding Client residual balances to ensure all balances are returned promptly at the end of each matter. Develop proactive strategies by working with the Fee Earners to ensure these balances are monitored and improved.
• Maintaining the COFA breaches log and driving improvements that arise from this.
• Examining and developing finance processes and controls to ensure best practice is implemented and maintained.
• Overseeing the file closure process where financials are impacted.
• Ensuring appropriate Client own and joint bank account records are maintained.
• Ensuring the bank mandates are kept up to date and any legacy bank accounts are closed as soon as possible.
• Leading the internal file audit process to ensure sound financial compliance.
• Overseeing the development of key reporting tools for management.
• Dealing with ad hoc fee earner queries and helping to resolve issues.
• Liaising with other teams within the Finance & Compliance team.
• Travelling to other office locations where required and advising fee earners accordingly.

What you will bring to the role

You will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Experience of working in a financial compliance audit role or within the legal services industry would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of the SRA’s Solicitors Accounts Rules would be particularly beneficial.
• Experience of developing, coaching and managing a small team.
• Tenacious attitude with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• High degree of financial acumen.
• Ability to work under pressure and have the agility to meet conflicting deadlines.