Finance Manager

LR Legal Recruitment; Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

LR Legal Recruitment is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to join a successful professional services business and help develop the finance function.

Reporting to the Finance Director, the role covers financial reporting, management accounting, cash flow management and process improvement, with hybrid working following probation.

Qualifications

• AAT qualified or equivalent, as a minimum.
• Advanced Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis and reporting.
• Experience with Microsoft Query or similar query-based reporting tools.
• Experience supporting or supervising finance staff.
• Strong understanding of financial controls and reconciliations.

Responsibilities

• Produce accurate monthly KPI, profitability and performance reporting.
• Prepare management accounts and financial analysis as required.
• Assist with annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Analyse financial trends and variances, identifying areas requiring management attention.
• Provide clear and commercially relevant financial information to management and partners.
• Support the Finance Director with financial planning and strategic projects.
• Develop reporting to provide greater insight into business performance.

Skills

Advanced Excel skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Independent working

Education

AAT qualified or equivalent

ACCA, CIMA or ACA part-qualified or qualified

Tools

Microsoft Query

Job description

Working Pattern: Full-time or 4 days per week (80%)

Hybrid Working: Hybrid working is available following successful completion of probation,

Reporting to: Finance Director

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Finance Manager to join a successful and growing professional services business and play a key role in supporting the continued development of the finance function.

Reporting to the Finance Director, this is a broad, varied and hands-on role covering financial reporting, management accounting, operational finance, financial controls, cashflow management and process improvement.

You will work closely with the Finance Director and the wider management team, providing accurate and meaningful financial information to support decision-making, while also helping to ensure that the finance function, systems and controls continue to develop alongside the growth of the business.

The role would suit an experienced Finance Manager, Management Accountant or Assistant Financial Controller who enjoys working across both the detail and the wider commercial picture and is looking to take on a broad role with genuine responsibility and scope.

You will also provide support and guidance to the existing finance team, helping to coordinate workloads, resolve queries and ensure key deadlines are consistently met.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce accurate monthly KPI, profitability and performance reporting.
• Prepare management accounts and financial analysis as required.
• Assist with annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Analyse financial trends and variances, identifying areas requiring management attention.
• Provide clear and commercially relevant financial information to management and partners.
• Support the Finance Director with financial planning and strategic projects.
• Develop reporting to provide greater insight into business performance.

Operational Finance

• Support the day-to-day operation of the finance function.
• Assist with coordinating and supervising finance team workflows and workloads.
• Act as a point of escalation for finance-related queries.
• Help ensure key finance deadlines and reporting requirements are met.
• Support billing, purchase ledger, sales ledger and cash management processes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the wider business to resolve financial and operational queries.
• Provide cover and hands-on support across the finance function when required.
• Maintain and develop robust financial controls, processes and procedures.
• Review balance sheet reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
• Support compliance with relevant regulatory requirements, including Solicitors' Accounts Rules where applicable.
• Assist with external audits and regulatory reviews.
• Ensure financial records are accurate, complete and maintained consistently.
• Identify control weaknesses and recommend improvements.
• Support the continued development of the firm's financial policies and procedures.

Cashflow & Working Capital

• Prepare and maintain cashflow forecasts and reporting.
• Monitor debtor balances, lock-up and working capital performance.
• Support credit control reporting and initiatives.
• Analyse cash collection and working capital trends and highlight areas requiring attention.
• Work with relevant teams to improve cash collection and overall working capital management.

Systems, Data & Process Improvement

• Produce advanced Excel-based reporting and analysis.
• Develop and maintain reports using Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP and other advanced Excel functionality.
• Use Microsoft Query or similar query-based reporting tools to extract, analyse and present financial data.
• Identify opportunities to improve finance systems, reporting and processes.
• Support automation and efficiency initiatives across the finance function.
• Help ensure finance processes and systems remain appropriate as the business grows.
• Contribute to projects designed to improve the quality, efficiency and accessibility of financial information.

Business Support & Projects

• Work closely with the Finance Director on strategic and operational projects.
• Provide financial analysis and insight to support business decisions.
• Support management and partners with ad hoc financial information and analysis.
• Contribute to business growth and change projects.
• Assist with the continued development and improvement of the finance function.
• Build effective working relationships across the wider business.

Team Structure

You will report directly to the Finance Director and work as part of an established finance team of four, excluding the Finance Director.

The role will provide an opportunity to take on increasing responsibility within the finance function and play an important part in supporting the team through a period of continued business growth.

About You

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical finance skills with a practical, hands-on approach. You will be comfortable working independently, getting into the detail when required and communicating financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues and senior stakeholders.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• AAT qualified or equivalent, as a minimum.
• Advanced Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis and reporting.
• Experience with Microsoft Query or similar query-based reporting tools.
• Experience supporting or supervising finance staff.
• Strong understanding of financial controls and reconciliations.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• ACCA, CIMA or ACA part-qualified or qualified.
• Experience working within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Experience with legal accounting systems.
• Knowledge or experience of Solicitors' Accounts Rules.
• Experience implementing or improving financial controls.
• Experience supporting business growth, transformation or change projects.
• Experience with finance system improvements or automation.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Proactive and self-motivated – able to identify what needs to be done and take ownership.
• Commercially aware – able to understand the wider business implications of financial information.
• Analytical and detail-focused – able to work confidently with financial data while maintaining accuracy.
• Process and improvement-focused – naturally curious about how things can be made more efficient and effective.
• Collaborative and supportive – comfortable working as part of a team and supporting colleagues.
• Well organised – able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities effectively.
• Confident and pragmatic – comfortable dealing with queries, resolving issues and escalating matters appropriately.
• Adaptable – able to balance day-to-day operational requirements with longer-term improvements.