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- Tasks: Lead the Commercial Finance function and oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
- Company: Join a leading South-West law firm known for its collaborative and progressive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a high-profile role with opportunities for professional development and impactful projects.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while driving efficiencies and enhancing client service in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in finance leadership, business partnering, and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Experience in professional services and knowledge of Aderant Expert is highly desirable.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
A leading South-West law firm is seeking a strategic and commercially minded Head of Commercial Finance to join its Senior Finance Leadership Team. This high-profile role will be responsible for leading the Commercial Finance function, including Finance Business Partners, a Pricing Business Partner, Financial Accounts and Client Reporting teams. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of Commercial Finance will play a key role in shaping the firm’s financial direction.
The role includes oversight of the annual budget and reforecasting processes, the preparation and presentation of monthly management accounts and departmental performance data, pricing strategy and compliance with statutory accounting requirements. This individual will drive a high-performance business partnering culture, ensuring the finance team delivers accurate, timely and insightful information to support strategic decision-making across the firm.
In addition to day-to-day responsibilities, the Head of Commercial Finance will lead on key financial projects aimed at improving client service, driving efficiencies, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and policies. A strong, visible leader, they will engage positively with stakeholders at all levels and be a proactive champion of change.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Strategic Leadership: Contribute to and help deliver the finance department strategy, lead the Finance Partner Forum, and drive performance through the Finance Improvement Plan (FIP).
- Budgeting and Forecasting: Lead the budgeting and forecasting process for income and expenditure, and engage with senior stakeholders to provide meaningful insights and financial planning support.
- Business Partnering: Analyse key financial drivers, review performance against KPIs, and support partners with pricing, profitability, and operational efficiency. Lead on pricing input for pitches and RFPs and deliver commercial training across the business.
- Financial and Client Reporting: Oversee the production of consolidated financial statements and manage the annual audit. Lead the preparation of management accounts, cashflow reports and other statutory requirements. Ensure client reporting is delivered in line with contractual obligations and enhance reporting processes in line with firm-wide projects.
- Leadership and Development: Act as a senior leader within the department, fostering a culture of improvement, automation and service excellence. Provide clear direction and coaching to ensure the Commercial Finance team delivers high-quality support across the firm.
The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with a track record of leading high-performing finance teams within a complex, fast-paced environment. They will have significant experience in business partnering, financial reporting, budgeting and audit management. Strong communication skills, the ability to influence at senior levels and a proactive approach to leadership and change are essential. Experience in the professional services sector is highly desirable, as is knowledge of financial systems such as Aderant Expert. Strong Excel and analytical skills are a must. This is an exciting opportunity for a finance leader looking to make a meaningful impact within a collaborative and progressive organisation.
Head of Commercial Finance employer: Totum Partners
Contact Detail:
Totum Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial systems mentioned in the job description, such as Aderant Expert. Having a solid understanding of these tools will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the legal and finance sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with individuals who can provide insights into the firm’s culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading high-performing teams and driving change. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've improved processes or contributed to strategic initiatives in previous roles, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities outlined.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the firm’s recent projects and financial performance. Understanding their current challenges and successes will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how your skills can directly contribute to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial finance, business partnering, and leadership roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive performance and lead teams effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the firm. Discuss how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Emphasise your leadership style and how you have successfully led finance teams in the past. Provide examples of how you've fostered a culture of improvement and service excellence within your previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you mention your qualifications as a certified accountant and any additional certifications or training that are relevant to the role. This will help establish your credibility and expertise in the field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Totum Partners
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As the Head of Commercial Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to shape financial direction. Prepare examples of how you've contributed to strategic planning in previous roles, focusing on your impact on budgeting and forecasting processes.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
This role requires a strong leader who can foster a high-performance culture. Be ready to discuss your experience in leading finance teams, providing coaching, and driving improvements. Share specific instances where your leadership made a difference.
✨Prepare for Business Partnering Scenarios
Business partnering is key in this position. Think about how you've previously analysed financial drivers and supported stakeholders with pricing and profitability. Prepare to discuss these experiences and how they led to improved operational efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Strong communication is essential for influencing senior stakeholders. Practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner. Be prepared to explain how you've successfully engaged with various levels within an organisation.
