Accountancy Practice Management Accountant in Bristol

Purpose Responsible for ensuring the highest standards of financial control and regulatory compliance, including the safeguarding of client funds within an SRA‑regulated environment. The role ensures that all processes and controls within Finance Operations are designed and operated in strict compliance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules, accounting standards, and internal policies. Through proactive monitoring, continuous improvement, and effective challenge, the role plays a critical part in protecting client funds, managing regulatory and financial risk, and maintaining the integrity and trust required of a regulated legal services business.

Reports to Finance Business Partner

Line Manager of 5 direct reports

Contribution

• Financial Control – Production and oversight of complex balance sheet reconciliations, client bank reconciliations and supplier reconciliations. Identifying discrepancies, investigating root causes, and proactively implementing effective corrective actions.
• Period End Accounting – Responsibility for period‑end closure in the case management system and posting of period‑end journals into the group accounting system.
• Process Management – Ensure that all daily, weekly and monthly processes are completed in adherence to both external regulation (Solicitors Accounts Rules) and internal policies, effectively managing the short‑ and long‑term workload of the team.
• Regulatory Control – Periodic reporting and review of the performance of controls, including identification and escalation of potential Accounts Rules breaches, with a strong focus on continuous improvement.
• External Audit – Lead on the external Solicitors Accounts Rules audit, ensuring deliverables are completed to agreed timelines.
• Regulatory Compliance – Ensure best practice is applied across the finance operation and that procedures and controls comply with SRA rules and relevant accounting standards.
• Banking – Work closely with Treasury to manage all aspects of client and office account banking, ensuring appropriate authorised signatures, mandates and system access are maintained. Lead regular service review meetings with banking partners.
• Technical Expertise – Provide technical advice and guidance to senior management and operational leaders, sharing expertise to support effective decision‑making and the development of new or enhanced processes.
• Team Management – Lead, coach and develop the team to support high performance, ongoing growth, and continued professional development.

Behaviours

• Forging Relationships – Works collaboratively with colleagues at all levels across the business and with key contacts within Group Finance.
• Inspirational Communicator – Communicates complex financial and regulatory matters clearly and concisely, providing meaningful insight to support strategic and operational decision‑making.
• Future‑Focused – Continuously develops the control environment and reporting capabilities to enhance the integrity and quality of financial reporting.

Empowered to

• Work independently with external auditors and across Group Finance, supporting strategic decision‑making through the provision of timely, accurate and well‑controlled financial information.
• Take initiative to identify and implement improvements to ways of working within the finance function and the wider business.

Capabilities

• Fully qualified ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
• Proven experience of balance sheet reconciliations, identifying discrepancies, investigating root causes & period end accounting.