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- Tasks: Lead the Commercial Finance function and shape the firm's financial direction.
- Company: Join a leading South-West law firm known for its collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a high-profile role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while driving efficiencies and enhancing client service.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in finance leadership and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Ideal for proactive leaders eager to champion change in a dynamic environment.
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.
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, especially those who have experience in commercial finance roles. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the firm's culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in leading finance teams and driving performance improvements. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your strategic leadership skills and how you've successfully managed budgeting and forecasting processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your communication and influencing skills by preparing to discuss how you've engaged with senior stakeholders in the past. Highlight instances where your proactive approach led to positive changes or improvements within your team or organisation.
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 your experience in commercial finance, business partnering, and leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive performance and lead teams in a fast-paced environment.
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 with budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your strong communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders at senior levels. Mention your proficiency in financial systems and Excel, as well as any experience in the professional services sector.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Provide examples of how you have fostered a culture of improvement and service excellence within your previous teams. Highlight any initiatives you led that resulted in enhanced financial processes or client service.
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 Business Partnering Experience
This role requires strong business partnering skills. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've analysed financial drivers and supported senior stakeholders with pricing strategies and operational efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
The firm is looking for a visible leader who fosters a culture of improvement. Share your experiences in leading finance teams, providing coaching, and driving performance through initiatives like the Finance Improvement Plan.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the emphasis on financial reporting and compliance, brush up on your knowledge of statutory accounting requirements and financial systems like Aderant Expert. Be prepared to answer technical questions that assess your expertise in these areas.
