Finance Director

Handpicked Recruitment Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Handpicked Recruitment Limited is recruiting for a Finance Director in London (hybrid). The role leads the finance function of a well-established London law firm, partnering with the partnership on strategy, performance and operational improvements.

The package includes a competitive salary plus discretionary bonus and comprehensive benefits. Reporting to the partnership, you will manage budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow, and governance, while leading a finance team and

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Senior finance leadership experience in a professional services environment.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, cash flow and working capital.
• Strong understanding of partnership accounting and commercial dynamics of a professional services business.
• Experience leading and developing a finance team.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm's finance function, overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and controls.
• Collaborate with Managing Partner and leadership to support commercial and strategic decisions.
• Prepare and present financial analysis and performance information to the partnership.
• Oversee annual budgeting/forecasting and monitor performance by practice area and matter.
• Drive improvements across finance systems, reporting processes, and data quality.
• Manage relationships with auditors, banks, tax advisers and other professionals.

Skills

Financial leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Management reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Cash flow management

Process improvement

Education

Chartered accountant (ACCA/ACMA/CIMA)

Job description

Title: Finance Director

Location: London (Hybrid working)

Salary: Competitive salary + discretionary bonus & comprehensive benefits package

Our client is a well-established London law firm with a strong reputation across its specialist practice areas. As part of the continued development of the business, they are seeking an experienced Finance Director to lead the finance function and work closely with the partnership on financial strategy, performance, and operational improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm's finance function, taking responsibility for financial reporting, management information, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial control
• Work closely with the Managing Partner, senior leadership team, and wider partnership to support commercial and strategic decision-making
• Prepare and present high-quality financial analysis, management reporting, and performance information to the partnership
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process, providing clear insight into revenue, profitability, costs, and cash flow
• Monitor financial performance across practice areas, partners, clients, and matters, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities
• Oversee working capital management, including billing, WIP, lock-up, collections, and cash flow optimisation
• Support partner remuneration, profit distribution, and wider partnership financial matters
• Ensure robust financial controls, policies, processes, and governance are maintained across the firm
• Oversee statutory reporting, tax, audit, banking, insurance, and other external financial relationships
• Drive improvements across finance systems, reporting processes, automation, and data quality
• Lead, develop, and manage the finance team, ensuring the function provides a high-quality service to the wider business
• Manage relationships with auditors, banks, tax advisers, and other professional advisers
• Ensure the firm remains compliant with relevant regulatory and financial requirements, including appropriate oversight of client money and SRA-related finance controls

Requirements

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualified accountant
• Significant post-qualified experience within a senior finance leadership role
• Previous experience within a law firm or wider professional services environment is highly desirable
• Strong understanding of partnership accounting and the commercial dynamics of a professional services business
• Experience managing budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, cash flow, and working capital
• Strong knowledge of financial controls, statutory reporting, audit, and tax requirements
• Experience leading and developing a finance team
• Confident and credible communicator capable of influencing senior stakeholders within a partnership environment
• Experience improving finance systems, processes, reporting, and controls would be advantageous
• Proactive, pragmatic, and comfortable operating within a hands‑on senior leadership role