Finance Director

RHTLAW ASIA LLP; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Asia is seeking a Finance Director to provide strategic financial leadership and oversee financial operations. The ideal candidate will have a professional accounting qualification, extensive experience in professional services, and skills in leveraging AI tools for financial analysis. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to work with independent professionals. The firm offers a collaborative environment and significant impact in financial operations.

Benefits

Collaborative environment

Leadership role in financial operations

Opportunity to shape financial strategy

Qualifications

• 12-15 years of progressive financial leadership experience.
• Experience in professional services firms.
• Ability to design and implement financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial operations including accounting and treasury.
• Provide strategic leadership on financial performance.
• Mentor and develop the finance team.

Skills

Financial leadership experience

Strong financial acumen

Proficiency in AI tools

Excellent communication skills

Resilience

Education

Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACA, ACCA)

Job description

About Us

RHTLaw Asia LLP is not just a law firm — we are the gateway to Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, we deliver innovative and practical solutions to clients navigating the complexities of doing business across the region. With our ASEAN Plus network of over 2,000 legal professionals, including 600 partners in 88 cities across Asia, and membership with HLB International, our reach is truly global yet deeply local.

Through our ONERHT collaboration, we go beyond law, offering clients integrated business solutions. At RHTLaw Asia, we are committed to pushing boundaries, making a difference, and helping our clients achieve extraordinary outcomes.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a dynamic Finance Director to drive Finance stewardship, accountability, and sustainable growth.

Role Overview

The Finance Director will be a key member of the Management Board, responsible for the overall financial management of the firm. This individual will provide strategic financial leadership, oversee financial operations, and ensure the firm’s financial health aligns with its long-term objectives.

The ideal candidate is accountant-trained, has proven experience in professional services organisations, and thrives in environments where they must engage with highly independent professionals.

The Finance Director must be solutions-driven, commercially savvy, and capable of forecasting and interpreting numbers in the context of evolving market and regulatory conditions. They must also be AI-savvy, with a strong understanding of how emerging technologies can enhance data capture, financial analysis, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership
   • Partner with the Management Board in developing and executing the firm’s financial strategy.
   • Provide thought leadership on financial performance, growth strategies, cost management, and capital planning.
   • Advise on financial implications of key decisions, market trends, and business opportunities.
2. Financial Management & Operations
   • Lead all financial operations, including accounting, treasury, budgeting, forecasting, billing, collections, and compliance.
   • Develop effective financial controls and reporting frameworks to ensure accuracy, accountability/enforcement, and transparency.
   • Build and maintain a forward-looking dashboard that tracks revenue, collections, profitability, and KPIs by practitioners and practice group.
   • Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, tax filings, and professional regulations.
3. Business Partnering
   • Work closely with practice leaders and partners to align financial practices with client service delivery.
   • Handle complex discussions with partners over budgets, collections, and profitability, applying diplomacy and firmness in equal measure.
   • Provide financial guidance to practitioners and practice groups on pricing, fee arrangements, and resource allocation.
4. Forecasting & Market Analysis
   • Analyse financial performance in the context of wider market conditions and provide accurate forecasting.
   • Monitor macroeconomic and regulatory changes that impact the professional services sector and translate them into actionable insights.
   • Prepare financial scenarios and risk assessments to support business continuity and strategic planning.
5. Leadership & People Management
   • Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team to become proactive business partners.
   • Promote a culture of accountability, financial discipline, and commercial awareness across the firm.
   • Reposition finance as a solutions-driven function that supports partners in managing clients and collections.

Qualifications & Experience

• Professional accounting qualification such as CPA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent preferred.
• At least 12–15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with a strong track record in professional services firms.
• Demonstrated ability to work with demanding and highly independent professionals.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in forecasting, scenario planning, and aligning financial models with market dynamics.
• Proven ability to design and implement financial systems, controls, and performance dashboards.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to present complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• A collaborative but firm leadership style, solution-driven, decisive, and commercially minded.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools and technologies to enhance financial analysis, automate reporting, and support data-driven decision-making.

Key Attributes

• Resilient Diplomat: Capable of managing strong personalities and driving consensus.
• Commercially Savvy: Understands client service economics, pricing models, and market conditions.
• Solution-Driven: Approaches challenges with creativity and pragmatism, always looking for workable outcomes.
• Strategic Thinker: Balances short-term financial discipline with long-term sustainable growth.
• Trusted Partner: As member of the management board, acts as a credible advisor to the Managing Partner and Heads of Practice
• AI-Ready: Embraces the use of AI and data analytics to enhance financial strategy, streamline operations, and support predictive decision-making.

What We Offer

• A seat at the leadership table of a fast-growing, multidisciplinary and regional firm.
• The opportunity to reshape financial operations and drive lasting impact.
• A collaborative environment with professionals across law, consulting, and business.