Finance Systems Manager

Walker Morris; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to 10%

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Employer pension 6%

Life assurance

BUPA health cover

Hybrid & flexible working

Job summary

Walker Morris is seeking a Finance Systems Manager in the United Kingdom to own and evolve the firm's finance technology, currently centered on Aderant, while driving improvements across the finance systems estate.

You will work closely with CFO/CIO and business stakeholders to deliver a strategic roadmap, oversee upgrades and automation projects, and mentor Finance Systems Analysts in a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• At least two years' experience managing and maintaining finance systems, ideally within a professional services environment.
• Experience with Aderant, Elite 3E or a similar legal practice management system.
• A strong understanding of accounting principles and legal finance operations.
• Experience leading, or playing a significant role in, system implementations, migrations or major upgrades.
• Strong project management, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A good understanding of data structures, reporting tools and financial control requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Knowledge of cloud-based finance systems and emerging automation technologies.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to support, motivate and develop others.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop the firm's Practice Management System (Aderant) and wider finance systems, ensuring reliability and fit for purpose.
• Deliver the finance systems roadmap, aligning improvements with business priorities.
• Lead system enhancements, upgrades, integrations and automation initiatives to improve efficiency and data quality.
• Manage day-to-day operation of finance systems and mentor Finance Systems Analysts.
• Collaborate across Finance, IT, Risk and Legal Operations for delivery and adoption.
• Drive continuous improvement by streamlining processes and reducing manual activity.
• Ensure governance, data integrity, security controls and compliance with change management.
• Monitor system performance and advise on trends and risks.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Advanced Excel

Leadership

Data governance

Cloud-based finance

Automation technologies

Security controls

Financial controls

Tools

Aderant

Elite 3E

Job description

Overview

We're looking for a Finance Systems Manager to join us in a newly created role that will play a central part in shaping how our finance systems support the firm now and in the future.

As product owner for our Practice Management System (currently Aderant) and wider finance systems estate, you'll be responsible for ensuring our systems are reliable, efficient and fit for purpose. You'll lead system improvements, technology upgrades and automation initiatives that improve the way we work, enhance the user experience and support the firm's strategic priorities.

This is a highly visible role, working closely with senior stakeholders, including our CFO and CIO, and colleagues across Finance, IT, Risk and Legal Operations, as well as external partners. You'll combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery, ensuring our finance systems continue to evolve in line with the needs of the business.

If you're passionate about technology, process improvement and delivering practical solutions that make a real difference, we'd like to hear from you.

As Finance Systems Manager, you'll:

• Own and develop the firm's Practice Management System (currently Aderant) and wider finance systems, ensuring they remain reliable, secure and fit for purpose.
• Deliver the finance systems roadmap, working closely with the CFO, CIO and key stakeholders to align technology improvements with business priorities.
• Lead system enhancements, upgrades, integrations and automation initiatives that improve efficiency, data quality and the user experience.
• Manage the day‑to‑day operation of finance systems, providing leadership and support to the Finance Systems Analysts and acting as the escalation point for complex issues.
• Work across Finance, IT, Risk and Legal Operations to ensure successful delivery, adoption and ongoing optimisation of finance systems.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline processes, reduce manual activity and make better use of technology.
• Ensure strong governance, data integrity, security controls and compliance with change management and audit requirements.
• Monitor system performance, report on key trends and risks, and recommend improvements that support the firm's long‑term objectives.

We are looking for:

• At least two years' experience managing and maintaining finance systems, ideally within a professional services environment.
• Experience of Aderant, Elite 3E or a similar legal practice management system.
• A strong understanding of accounting principles and legal finance operations.
• Experience leading, or playing a significant role in, system implementations, migrations or major upgrades.
• Strong project management, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A good understanding of data structures, reporting tools and financial control requirements.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Knowledge of cloud‑based finance systems and emerging automation technologies.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to support, motivate and develop others.

Some of our benefits include:

• Salary of circa £70,000, depending on experience.
• Annual bonus opportunity of up to 10% of salary.
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service to 31 days.
• The option to buy up to five days' holiday each year.
• Workplace pension with a minimum employer contribution of 6%.
• Life assurance of four times your annual salary.
• Access to BUPA with no excess or compulsory payments.
• Hybrid and flexible working options, with occasional office attendance considered for this role.

Find out more about working at Walker Morris here.

Walker Morris is committed to being an inclusive employer. We welcome applications regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, neuro diversity or disability status, family or parental status, race,religionor ethnicity.

If you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, pleasedon’thesitate to ask. We are a Disability Confident employer.

Type of Working

Hybrid