Head of Accounts/Finance Manager

Totum Partners; Congleton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Benefits package

Job summary

Totum Partners is assisting a long-established Gloucestershire law firm to recruit a Head of Accounts/Finance Manager. The role offers a competitive salary, benefits package and flexible working.

The Head of Accounts will oversee client accounts, ensure SRA Accounts Rules compliance, and manage a small accounts team while partnering with COFA and CFO on financial strategy and reporting.

Qualifications

• Must be currently working in a law firm.
• Strong practical knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules and client money requirements.
• Confidently communicating financial information to Partners and non-financial colleagues.
• Experience leading or supervising a legal accounts/cashiering team is highly desirable.
• Good knowledge of VAT within legal services and disbursement issues.

Responsibilities

• Oversee client accounts, reconciliations and SRA Accounts Rules compliance.
• Prepare monthly management information and provide financial insights to partners and CFO.
• Support budgets, forecasts, cash-flow planning and financial modelling for senior management.
• Manage billing, credit control, purchase ledger, payroll and VAT processes.
• Supervise and develop a small accounts team with effective day-to-day processes.
• Help develop finance processes and controls, including transition to a new system.
• Maintain strong financial controls, payment security and fraud prevention.

Skills

SRA Accounts Rules

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

VAT in legal services

Job description

Totum Partners is working with a long-established Gloucestershire Law firm to recruit a Head of Accounts/Finance Manager.

Head of Accounts/Finance Manager Opportunity with Established Law Firm

Competitive salary, benefits package and flexible working

Head of Accounts Responsibilities:

• Oversee client accounts, reconciliations and compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules, working closely with the COFA and external reporting accountants.
• Prepare monthly management information, analysing performance, WIP, lock-up, debtors and cash flow, and providing clear financial insight to the partners and CFO.
• Support budgets, forecasts, cash-flow planning and financial modelling, helping senior management make informed commercial decisions.
• Manage billing, credit control, purchase ledger, payroll, VAT, disbursements and other core accounting processes.
• Supervise and develop a small accounts team, ensuring high standards, appropriate cover and effective day-to-day processes.
• Help to develop finance processes and controls, with an important role in the firm's forthcoming transition to a new practice management/accounts system.
• Maintain strong financial controls, payment security and fraud prevention processes, with particular awareness of the risks facing law firms.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for partners, directors, the COFA, CFO, external accountants and banking contacts, with the judgement to identify issues and elevate appropriately.

Experience:

• APPLICANTS MUST BE CURRENLTY WORKING IN A LAW FIRM.
• Strong practical knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules and client money requirements.
• Confident communicating financial information to Partners and other non-financial colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• Previous experience leading or supervising a legal accounts/cashiering team is highly desirable.
• Good knowledge of VAT within legal services and associated disbursement issues.