Finance Manager

Austen Lloyd; Watford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits

Job summary

Austen Lloyd is seeking an experienced Senior Finance Manager for a prestigious Legal 500 firm in Hertfordshire. You will lead the finance function, drive strategic financial planning and ensure regulatory compliance to support business decisions.

The role demands a qualified accountant with senior UK law firm experience, strong leadership, and a hands-on approach to improve profitability and efficiency across the organisation.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA essential.
• Significant senior finance experience within a UK law firm essential.
• Solid understanding of Solicitors Accounts Rules.
• Strong commercial awareness with ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Proven leadership and people management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance team.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, budgets and cash flow forecasts.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior leadership.
• Oversee financial planning and reporting processes.
• Ensure compliance with Solicitors Accounts Rules and regulatory requirements.
• Manage client and office accounts transactions and year-end processes.
• Liaise with external auditors and accountants.
• Drive process improvements and operational excellence.
• Monitor profitability and drive efficiency improvements.
• Oversee payroll, VAT, tax and statutory reporting.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Strategic advisory

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

Senior Finance Manager

Legal 500 Firm | Hertfordshire | Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits

An established and highly regarded Legal 500 law firm in Hertfordshire is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Finance Manager to join its leadership team

This is an outstanding opportunity for a qualified finance professional with proven legal sector experience to play a key role within a successful and growing firm, working closely with senior leadership to drive financial performance, strategic planning and operational excellence

The Role

Working closely with the firm's leadership team, you will have responsibility for the finance function, ensuring robust financial management, regulatory compliance and the delivery of high-quality financial information to support business decision-making

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the finance team
• Preparing monthly management accounts, budgets and cash flow forecasts
• Providing strategic financial advice to the senior leadership team
• Managing the firm's financial planning and reporting processes
• Ensuring full compliance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules and all relevant regulatory requirements
• Overseeing client and office account transactions
• Managing year-end accounts and liaising with external auditors and accountants
• Monitoring financial performance and identifying opportunities to improve profitability and efficiency
• Managing payroll, VAT, tax and statutory reporting
• Driving process improvements and supporting wider business initiatives
• Maintaining strong financial controls and risk management procedures

About You

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) (essential)
• Significant senior finance experience within a UK law firm (essential)
• A thorough understanding of the Solicitors Accounts Rules
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Excellent leadership and people management skills
• Experience producing insightful management information and financial analysis
• Exceptional communication and organisational skills
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the ability to operate both strategically and operationally

What's on Offer

• The opportunity to join a respected Legal 500 law firm
• A senior leadership role with genuine influence on the firm's continued success
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Supportive, collaborative and professional working environment
• Excellent long‑term career prospects