Finance Director - Law Firm

Clear Legal & Financial Recruitment; Chippenham; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Senior leadership role

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Clear Legal & Financial Recruitment's client in Chippenham, Wiltshire, seeks a Finance Director to lead financial management, ensure SRA Accounts Rules compliance and drive long-term growth.

You will work with the Board, oversee daily finance operations, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, cash flow, WIP and client accounts, and mentor a small team.

This senior role offers strategic influence, a competitive package, and a collaborative working environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or significant equivalent legal finance experience.
• Senior finance leadership experience within a UK law firm.
• Strong knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules and legal accounting procedures.
• Experience in financial planning, budgeting and board-level reporting.
• Knowledge of WIP, billing, lock-up, cash flow management and client accounts.

Responsibilities

• Leading the firm's financial strategy and supporting long-term business planning.
• Preparing budgets, forecasts, management accounts and financial reports.
• Monitoring cash flow, profitability, WIP, lock-up, debtors and billing performance.
• Managing payroll, pensions, PAYE, National Insurance and VAT returns.
• Overseeing year-end accounts and coordinating external audits.
• Ensuring full compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and regulatory obligations.
• Managing client accounts, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Supporting the firm's COFA and liaising with reporting accountants and regulatory bodies.
• Providing commercial financial analysis to support business decisions.
• Developing financial reporting, KPIs and performance dashboards.
• Leading, mentoring and developing the finance team.
• Assisting with day-to-day legal cashier duties where required.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Organisational abilities

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

Excel

Payroll software

Legal practice management systems

Job description

My client is seeking an experienced Finance Director to join its leadership team in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

This is a senior strategic role offering the opportunity to lead the firm's financial management, ensure compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules, and play a key role in driving the firm's long-term growth and profitability. The successful candidate will work closely with the Board of Equity Partners while overseeing the day-to-day operation of the finance function.

The Role

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Leading the firm's financial strategy and supporting long-term business planning
• Preparing budgets, forecasts, management accounts and financial reports
• Monitoring cash flow, profitability, WIP, lock-up, debtors and billing performance
• Managing payroll, pensions, PAYE, National Insurance and VAT returns
• Overseeing year-end accounts and coordinating external audits
• Ensuring full compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and regulatory obligations
• Managing client accounts, reconciliations and financial controls
• Supporting the firm's COFA and liaising with reporting accountants and regulatory bodies
• Providing commercial financial analysis to support business decisions
• Developing financial reporting, KPIs and performance dashboards
• Leading, mentoring and developing the finance team
• Assisting with day-to-day legal cashier duties where required

Requirements

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or significant equivalent legal finance experience
• Previous senior finance leadership experience within a UK law firm
• Strong knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules and legal accounting procedures
• Experience of financial planning, budgeting and board-level reporting
• Knowledge of WIP, billing, lock-up, cash flow management and client accounts
• Strong commercial awareness and analytical skills
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational abilities
• Proficiency with legal practice management systems, Excel and payroll software
• Ability to support and supervise a small finance team while remaining hands-on when required

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Senior leadership position with strategic influence
• Opportunity to help shape the future of a growing law firm
• Supportive and collaborative working environment