Head of Finance

The Recruiter Specialists Group Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recruiter Specialists Group Ltd is partnering with a progressive law firm in Hertfordshire seeking a Head of Finance to lead strategic finance and daily control. You will set finance strategy, manage budgets, audits, and external/internal relationships while guiding the team to deliver high standards aligned with the firm’s objectives.

Essentially, you will ensure timely BAU financial services and explore new solutions with internal teams or third parties, maintaining SAR compliance and

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years' experience delivering finance leadership in professional services.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, auditing principles and financial controls.
• Ability to translate complex financial information for non-finance colleagues.
• Excellent communication, organisation and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial control and transactional accounting procedures.
• Manage month-end and overview of practice management accounting.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Ensure compliance with SAR rules and internal policies.
• Coordinate year-end accounting and audit processes.

Skills

Strong numerical skills

Clear communication

Organised and methodical

Budget interpretation

Education

ACA/ACCA qualified

Tools

Accounting systems

Job description

We are currently working with a highly progressive firm of specialist solicitors based in Hertfordshire who are renowned for their professional yet personal service.

The firm are ranked in The Legal 500, a leading legal directory, and hold many accreditations including Lexcel, Customer Service Excellence, Cyber Essentials+ and ISO9001. Their aim is to recruit progressive, forward-thinking individuals who wish to be part of their growth and who share their core values:

Open and honest

Working together

Valuing people

Taking pride in what we do

About the role

The Head of Finance will be responsible for providing strategic finance and daily control for the accounting function within the business. The Head of Finance will ensure that external and internal service levels, compliance and legislative standards are set and achieved, and the finance function is performed to the highest standards. They will manage the finance strategy and plan, budget and expenditure, audits and maintain external and internal relationships and ensure that the finance team work efficiently and accurately.

The Head of Finance will set the tone for the finance provision and deliver a consistent message to all staff within the business through appropriate communication at all levels and will maintain documentation, adhere to SAR rules and policies, whilst maintaining the firm's core principles and in a manner aligned with the firm's strategy and / or stated objectives.

The Head of Finance will ensure the delivery of "Business as Usual" financial services whilst continuing to consider and deliver new solutions in line with the finance strategy, either internally or by engaging third parties.

Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Control:

Manage all transactional and financial accounting procedures, ensuring appropriate controls are in place

Manage the Practice Management accounting system ensuring relevant processes are controlled

Oversee the banking functions for all banking systems and accounts

Review cash and bank reports, forecasts and reconciliations

Oversee supplier pay runs and ad hoc payments prior to authorisation

Review interest payments to client accounts

Attend meeting as required

Financial Accounting:

Manage the month end accounting process in line with the agreed timetable

Review and approve all general ledger journals

Prepare the month end accounts in accordance with agreed timetable

Review all monthly balance sheet reconciliations

Prepare and review monthly trial balance reports

Prepare and distribute monthly reports to include fee earner snapshots

Enter salary payments onto the bank for approval to ensure employees are paid on time

Review all regular and ad hoc financial accounts related analysis and reports

Manage the year end accounting and audit process

Manage the statutory accounts and annual return processes

Ensure that all accounting standards are understood, communicated and applied

Ensure that the finance manual is compliant with internal and external requirements and kept up to date

Management Accounts, Budgeting and Forecasting:

Complete a timely and accurate issue of draft and final monthly management accounts in the agreed format

Attend monthly management accounts meetings working closely with the Managing Partner to ensure that management information is shared with all Equity Partners

Leads on the annual budget and forecasting process

Performance reporting

About the Person

Essential Skills

Educated to relevant degree standard

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent)

Minimum 5 years' experience of delivering finance leadership to law firms or other professional services, at a high level

Thorough understanding of a service environment with a strong customer service orientation.

Ability to interpret budget, accounting and fiscal procedures, policies and regulations

Ability to translate complex financial information for non-finance colleagues

Strong numerical skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

Organised and methodical, able to prioritise and organise workload effectively

Clear and concise communication skills, both orally and in writing

Flexible and adaptable with good time management skills to meet own, team and wider business deadlines

Essential Experience Requirements

Previous experience in senior leadership post in a small/medium organisation

Previous experience in managing a small transactional team delivering to the firm

Understanding and knowledge of partnership requirements

In-depth knowledge and understanding of accounting, budgeting and auditing principles and procedures

Previous experience in technical accounting and taxation

Hands on experience using and optimising accounting systems

Desirable Skills

Previous experience of working for a law firm or in the legal sector

Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment