Financial Controller in London

Financial Controller in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage financial operations and lead a team to ensure smooth financial reporting.
  • Company: Join Lawhive, a pioneering AI-native law firm transforming the legal industry.
  • Benefits: Enjoy equity options, generous leave, and top-notch tech equipment.
  • Why this job: Be part of a high-impact finance team driving innovation in a fast-growing startup.
  • Qualifications: 5-10 years in finance, with strong accounting and tech startup experience.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture focused on diversity and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.

About Lawhive

Our mission is to make the law accessible to everyone. The legal industry is built on technology and process that hasn't been updated in hundreds of years - that's why we've reinvented the entire model from the ground-up with our own bespoke AI operating system at the core. Lawhive is a regulated law firm with an AI-native platform built to amplify expertise and revolutionise the way people practice law, leading to exceptional outcomes for clients and lawyers. Lawhive Labs is how we bring this vision to life. It's our frontier lab that combines top engineering, design, AI and legal talent from around the world, joining forces to build the future of law. We're headquartered in London and in 2025 successfully launched in the US…and we're just getting started.

Finance at Lawhive

We are a lean, high-impact finance organisation operating across the UK and US group structure - the engine room that keeps Lawhive moving with precision as we scale a first-of-its-kind global AI-native law firm. We partner deeply with every part of the business: product, engineering, legal operations, HR, talent, and the exec team. Our mandate is simple: build world-class, audit-ready, scalable finance architecture that can support hyper-growth and international expansion.

The next 12–18 months will bring some of the most challenging and meaningful work you'll do in your career. We're focused on:

  • Designing and embedding the financial systems, controls and reporting infrastructure required for a multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction group (UK, US) on the path to audit and global scale
  • Building real-time, decision-grade data - from cashflow to margins to unit economics - ensuring the business can make fast, high-quality decisions as we grow revenue and deploy capital
  • Transforming acquired entities into a single, unified finance ecosystem with tight working-capital discipline and deep operational control
  • Implementing automation and intelligent workflows across payables, payroll, client-money compliance, tax, FP&A and revenue accounting to unlock leverage across the business
  • Partnering with leaders to shape strategy, investment decisions, and the future of AI-enabled legal services

If you want a finance role where the bar is high, the problems are real, and the impact is visible across the whole company - this is it.

About the Role

As Lawhive continues to scale rapidly, we're seeking an experienced Financial Controller to play a pivotal role in managing our financial operations. Working directly with our VP of Finance, you'll oversee critical functions including payroll, treasury management, bookkeeping, and consolidated financial reporting.

You'll lead a team of two management accountants and one finance associate, while collaborating closely with our broader finance function covering FP&A, M&A, investor reporting, and client money operations. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with a collaborative approach and passion for tech-driven solutions, with a particular focus on building robust accounting reconciliation and control processes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Financial Operations & Reporting
    • Own and manage key finance operations including management accounts, consolidated reporting, tax, payroll, treasury management, and invoice management in partnership with the VP of Finance
    • Lead the monthly financial close process, ensuring all accounting and reconciliations are completed within deadlines
    • Develop flux analysis for variance monitoring and cash flow forecasting
  • Audit & Compliance
    • Prepare the company for audit and consolidated statutory reporting for the year ending December 2026
    • Ensure audit readiness through robust documentation and control processes
  • Technical Accounting & Process Improvement
    • Review and implement additional financial reporting requirements, including:
    • Share-based payment accounting
    • Acquisition accounting
    • Revenue recognition policies and associated assets
  • Deliver continuous process improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting, reconciliation, and control processes
  • Team Leadership
    • Coordinate and develop a team of two management accountants and one finance associate
    • Foster collaboration across the finance function
  • Requirements

    Essential Experience & Qualifications

    • 5-10 years of experience in finance, with demonstrated experience in a tech startup or fast-paced, high-growth environment
    • Proven experience managing the audit process from preparation through completion
    • Strong technical experience in:
    • Accounting reconciliations
    • Payroll processes
    • Month-end close procedures
  • Relevant accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA, or CFA)
  • Skills & Attributes

    • Exceptional attention to detail in both accuracy and presentation of work
    • Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, digestible insights
    • Highly collaborative working style
    • Passionate about leveraging technology to drive financial operations
    • Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, scaling environment

    Interview process

    • Introductory call with our Talent team
    • 1:1 with your hiring manager
    • Skills assessment interview
    • Values interview with one of our Founders

    We offer

    • Meaningful early-stage equity at one of Europe's fastest growing startups
    • 33 days' annual leave (25 + bank holidays) plus your birthday off
    • Pension contribution via Nest
    • 20% off legal fees through Lawhive
    • Top-spec equipment - MacBook/Windows
    • Regular team building activities and socials

    Diversity at Lawhive

    At Lawhive, we know that diversity of thought is critical to delivering outlier outcomes. As such, we're always working hard to ensure we build a diverse, inclusive team, and as we scale, we'll only ever increase the focus we apply to this.

    Financial Controller in London employer: Lawhive

    At Lawhive, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in the legal tech space. Our London headquarters offers a vibrant work culture where employees are empowered to drive meaningful change, supported by generous benefits such as 33 days of annual leave and equity opportunities in one of Europe's fastest-growing startups. With a strong focus on professional growth and a commitment to diversity, joining our team as a Financial Controller means being part of a pioneering journey to revolutionise the legal industry.
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    Contact Detail:

    Lawhive Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

    We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in London

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Lawhive or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for the interview by researching Lawhive's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our goals, especially in tech-driven finance solutions. We love candidates who are passionate about innovation!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice your answers to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t just recite rehearsed lines. Be yourself and let your enthusiasm for the role come across!

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role and appreciate the opportunity to connect.

    We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in London

    Financial Operations Management
    Consolidated Financial Reporting
    Payroll Management
    Treasury Management
    Accounting Reconciliations
    Audit Preparation and Compliance
    Variance Analysis
    Cash Flow Forecasting
    Technical Accounting Expertise
    Process Improvement
    Team Leadership
    Collaboration Skills
    Communication Skills
    Attention to Detail
    Technology-Driven Solutions

    Some tips for your application 🫑

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Controller role. Highlight your experience in tech startups and any relevant financial operations you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Lawhive!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for tech-driven solutions and how you can contribute to our finance team. Let us know why you're excited about joining Lawhive and what makes you a great fit.

    Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Whether it's improving processes or leading a successful audit, we love to see quantifiable results!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of our journey at Lawhive!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Lawhive

    ✨Know Your Numbers

    As a Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial operations. Brush up on key metrics like cash flow, margins, and unit economics. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive decisions in previous roles.

    ✨Showcase Your Tech Savvy

    Lawhive is all about leveraging technology to revolutionise the legal industry. Prepare examples of how you've implemented tech-driven solutions in finance, whether it's through automation or improving reporting processes. This will show you're aligned with their mission.

    ✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

    Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Think of specific challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly around audit processes or financial reconciliations, and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method to structure your answers.

    ✨Emphasise Collaboration

    Since the role involves working closely with various teams, highlight your collaborative approach. Share experiences where you've partnered with other departments to achieve financial goals or improve processes. This will demonstrate your ability to work within a lean, high-impact finance organisation.

    Financial Controller in London
    Lawhive
    Location: London
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    • Financial Controller in London

      London
      Full-Time
      36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.)
    • L

      Lawhive

      50-100
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