At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations and provide strategic insights to enhance firm performance.
- Company: Reputable London law firm known for high-quality legal services.
- Benefits: Collaborative work environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Office-based role in London, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Join a senior leadership team and make a significant impact on financial strategy.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior finance experience, ideally in professional services.
Our client, a highly regarded London law firm, is seeking an experienced Finance Director to join its team on a permanent basis.
The Firm
Our client is a well-established law firm with a strong reputation for providing high-quality legal services to its clients. The firm offers a collaborative and professional working environment, with a strong focus on commercial performance, operational excellence and continued growth. This is an excellent opportunity to join a senior leadership team and play a key role in the ongoing development of the firm's finance function.
The Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, commercially minded Finance Director to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function and work closely with the COO, Finance Partner and Partners across the firm. The successful candidate will combine strong financial control and operational finance expertise with a commercial, business-partnering approach. The role will suit an individual who is comfortable being hands-on while also providing strategic financial insight and challenging senior stakeholders where appropriate.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading all month-end and year-end financial processes, ensuring accurate and timely delivery
- Preparing monthly management accounts, including detailed analysis, commentary and performance insights
- Producing financial reports and KPIs for the COO, Finance Partner and Equity Partners
- Supporting budgeting, forecasting and wider financial planning activities
- Taking ownership of firm-wide cash flow management and forecasting
- Monitoring and actively managing WIP, disbursements, aged debt and wider working capital
- Working closely with Partners and fee earners to improve billing discipline, debt recovery and overall lock-up performance
- Managing and developing the Senior Legal Cashier
- Overseeing client and office account processes and ensuring appropriate financial controls are maintained
- Acting as the primary relationship manager with the firm's banking partners and overseeing day-to-day treasury activities
- Leading the transition of payroll from an outsourced model to an in-house operation
- Assuming responsibility for payroll, expenses and the firm's corporate credit card programme
- Authorising office and client account payments in accordance with firm policies and regulatory requirements
- Acting as the finance lead for the firm's Efimis accounting system
- Reviewing and improving finance processes, controls, reporting and workflows, including opportunities for automation
- Ensuring compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and all relevant regulatory requirements
- Supporting audits, compliance reviews and regulatory reporting
- Working closely with the COO and Finance Partner to support strategic decision-making
- Presenting financial performance, trends and recommendations at Equity Partner meetings
- Providing commercial insight to support profitability, growth and operational effectiveness
Requirements
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Significant experience in a senior finance role, ideally within professional services
- Strong experience producing management accounts and leading month-end and year-end processes
- Proven experience managing cash flow, WIP, billing and aged debt
- Previous experience managing and developing finance staff
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge at Partner level
- Experience managing payroll and financial controls
- Strong Excel and systems capability, with a genuine interest in process improvement
- Experience within a law firm or regulated professional services environment would be advantageous
- Working knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules and/or experience with legal accounting systems such as Efimis would be highly desirable
The role is office-based in London, with a minimum of four days per week in the office.
To be considered for this Senior Finance Manager opportunity, please contact Birchrose Associates for a confidential discussion.
Birchrose Associates, trading name of Huntress Search Ltd, acts as a Recruitment Agency in relation to all Permanent roles and as a Recruitment Business in relation to all Temporary roles. We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.
PLEASE NOTE: We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK.
Finance Director in London employer: Birchrose Associates
As a prestigious independent law firm located in the heart of London, we pride ourselves on our exceptional work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored professional development opportunities, allowing you to thrive while advising high-net-worth clients on prime property transactions. Join us to be part of a highly regarded team that values excellence and offers a rewarding career path in a vibrant city.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Birchrose Associates.
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Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Birchrose Associates's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birchrose Associates
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Birchrose Associates.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
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✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Birchrose Associates will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Birchrose Associates employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
