Head of Accounts/Finance Manager in Congleton

Totum Partners is working with a long-established Gloucestershire Law firm to recruit a Head of Accounts/Finance Manager.

Head of Accounts/Finance Manager Opportunity with Established Law Firm

Competitive salary, benefits package and flexible working

Head of Accounts Responsibilities:

• Oversee client accounts, reconciliations and compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules, working closely with the COFA and external reporting accountants.
• Prepare monthly management information, analysing performance, WIP, lock-up, debtors and cash flow, and providing clear financial insight to the partners and CFO.
• Support budgets, forecasts, cash-flow planning and financial modelling, helping senior management make informed commercial decisions.
• Manage billing, credit control, purchase ledger, payroll, VAT, disbursements and other core accounting processes.
• Supervise and develop a small accounts team, ensuring high standards, appropriate cover and effective day-to-day processes.
• Help to develop finance processes and controls, with an important role in the firm's forthcoming transition to a new practice management/accounts system.
• Maintain strong financial controls, payment security and fraud prevention processes, with particular awareness of the risks facing law firms.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for partners, directors, the COFA, CFO, external accountants and banking contacts, with the judgement to identify issues and elevate appropriately.

Experience:

• APPLICANTS MUST BE CURRENLTY WORKING IN A LAW FIRM.
• Strong practical knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules and client money requirements.
• Confident communicating financial information to Partners and other non-financial colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• Previous experience leading or supervising a legal accounts/cashiering team is highly desirable.
• Good knowledge of VAT within legal services and associated disbursement issues.