Head of Finance (Legal)

The Head of Finance and Legal Income ensures trustees can meet their statutory duties under the Charities Act 2011, Charity Commission guidance and the Charities SORP. The postholder maintains accurate financial records, prepares compliant financial reports, safeguards assets and restricted funds, oversees proportionate internal controls, escalates material financial risks, and supports strategic financial leadership across the organisation.

They ensure compliance with charity law, tax requirements, Legal Aid Agency rules and SRA Accounts Rules, and support the organisation's financial sustainability through budgeting, cash flow oversight, risk management, and by working with the Senior Leadership Executive on the strategic development of the fundraising policy and financial forecasting and resilience.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Prepare timely monthly management accounts, forecasts and cashflow updates.
• Support preparation of statutory accounts and the trustees' annual report in line with SORP/FRS 102.
• Maintain complete accounting records and support the annual audit/independent examination.
• Provide trustees with clear financial information to fulfil CC3 duties.

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Cash Flow

• Lead annual budgeting and financial forecasting.
• Manage banking relationships and oversee the Client Account in line with SRA Accounts Rules.
• Work with the Senior Leadership Executive to support the strategic development of the fundraising policy and the strategic direction of finance, ensuring financial planning, income generation and sustainability are aligned with the charity's wider objectives.

Internal Controls, Risk & Assurance

• Maintain proportionate financial controls, delegated authorities and reconciliations.
• Ensure segregation of duties, audit trails and evidence of control operation.
• Maintain a financial risk and fraud register and escalate material risks promptly.
• Safeguard charity assets, restricted funds and client money.
• Support trustees in monitoring reserves and financial sustainability.
• Coordinate insurance, fraud response and serious incident reporting where required.

Legal Aid Agency & SRA Compliance

• Oversee Legal Aid Agency billing, WIP, disbursements, aged debt and recoupments.
• Ensure accurate recording and reconciliation of legal income through Quill and QuickBooks.
• Maintain compliance with SRA Accounts Rules.

Grant, Contract & Restricted Funds

• Ensure compliance with funder conditions and eligible cost rules.
• Prepare financial reports for funders and support funding applications.

Systems, Data & Financial Infrastructure

• Maintain the chart of accounts, finance policies and delegated authority framework.
• Oversee QuickBooks and Quill access controls, reconciliations and data quality.
• Provide clear leadership to the finance and billing team.
• Build financial capability among budget holders and trustees.

What We Are Looking For

• Strong knowledge of charity finance, SORP, and related law requirements.
• Experience in successfully overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance processes.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Central England Law Centre.
• A Covering Letter (maximum two sides of A4) addressing the job description criteria and why you want to work for the law centre.
• A completed Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.