Head of Client Money Control in Manchester

We are looking for a Head of Client Money Control to ensure the integrity of all client money handling globally, not only from an accounting and process perspective but also from a conduct perspective. You will report to the executive board, Chief Financial Officer and Compliance Officer for finance and administration, and you will be part of the finance leadership team. You will also lead a team in the UK and have direct lines to offices from Vancouver to Sydney. In the UK, the Head of Client Money Control will be the prime contact for the regulator including the Solicitors Regulation Authority in England and Wales.

You will report directly to the CFO / COFA and be deputy COFA, with peers to the HCMC including the Finance Director - Business Partner, Finance Director - Shared Service Engine Room, Head of Tax & Treasury and Senior Finance Manager - Financial Control, who is responsible for the control of the financial statements. The HCMC is a member of the Finance Leadership Team comprising the CFO and direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Supports the CFO / COFA in ensuring compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules in England & Wales and respective client money rules in other jurisdictions.
• Identifies risks and articulates mitigants for all matters in relation to client money.
• Identifies weaknesses in client money processes and implements practical and sustainable solutions.
• Works closely with various stakeholders, including those in finance, along with fee earners and senior management.
• Supports a culture of accountability and continuous improvement in SRA Accounts Rules compliance.
• Develops and delivers training to fee earners and support staff on client money handling and SRA Accounts Rules obligations.
• Leads regulatory audits.
• Leads the end-to-end SRA transformation programme, addressing findings from previous audits and advisory reviews.
• Defines programme scope, roadmap, milestones and success measures.
• Translates the SRA requirements into practical operating models, designing the governance structure and processes to help achieve SRA compliance.
• Develops and owns the full client money policy and control framework, linking into the Group's overall control framework.
• Manages multiple work streams (governance, risk, controls, policies, culture, system implementation).
• Ensures sustainable change is embedded into the business, rather than short-term fixes.
• Works closely with key stakeholders in the business, reporting into the Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA).
• Embeds a culture of SRA compliance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provides clear and concise reporting to the Board.

What will help you succeed in this role?

• Prior experience with the Solicitors Regulation Authority Accounts Rules in capacity of regulator, investigator, auditor or in a senior position at a law firm.
• Experience with management of residual client balances, client bank accounts, office credit balances and breach logs.
• Ability to analyse, assimilate and apply numerical and financial information from a wide range of sources to reach conclusions.
• Ability to apply regulation and rules to cases.
• Working knowledge of Fraud Act, Money Laundering Regulations and the Proceeds of Crime Act.
• Methodical, organised and solutions-focused.
• Inquisitive mind.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to analyse complex financial and compliance matters.
• Good overall communicator, orally and in writing, with the ability to operate with authority and credibility with senior stakeholders and the Board.
• Proactive in taking ownership of compliance.
• Leadership skills to manage own team in the UK and with dotted lines overseas.
• Excellent programme management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience of leading regulatory or compliance transformation programmes within a professional services firm.
• Able to influence and create energy around transformation within a professional services business, and to “sell the case” to all levels of seniority within the business.
• Experience of working in / with different organisations able to interpret what “good looks like” and position the need for change with others.
• Able to generate pride and leverage ongoing commerciality to maintain high process standards post-implementation.

What we offer?

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF. We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team.

About Us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. Our approach delivers efficiency, price certainty and transparency for our clients across the world without compromising on quality or service. Our purpose is to deliver positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities and we foster a culture that places our colleagues at the centre of all that we do.