Head of Finance

Head of Finance position now available at city-based law firm. This is a really exciting opportunity that longer term would offer succession planning for the COFO.

As the Head of Finance, you will be responsible for all the day-to-day financial functions of the business, working closely with the COFO to improve the financial results and drive forward the business' longer-term growth plans.

You will lead the Finance team in providing financial and commercial support to the Director Group and the Executive Team and will be responsible for managing financial risk and tax compliance.

A key part of your role will be to continue driving improvements to the operational efficiency, technology and processes used by the finance department and the overall business.

Specific duties include:

• Responsible for leading and managing the firm's finance department (team of 8), overseeing all day-to-day financial processes of the firm.
• Working with the COFO on the preparation of the firm's annual budget, in line with the longer-term business plan, including consulting with business leaders and reviewing assumptions.
• Close control of the expenditure of the firm to ensure it is in line with budgets, forecasts, and business plans, enforcing changes where necessary.
• Responsible for the firm's practice management system ('Peppermint'), including reviewing and improving the efficiency and automation of the firm's accounting processes and procedures.
• Drive further development of newly integrated systems (Chrome River, InTapp, and PowerBI), to further improve the operational efficiency of the Finance team and the wider firm.
• Preparing commentary on financial performance - to include reviews of income, profit, and expense activity with the COFO and budget holders.
• Supervision of all client accounting, including liaising with the bank, authorisation of bank reconciliations, interest payments, transfers, and counsel disbursements to ensure compliance with the SRA standards.
• Preparation of year-end consolidation and statutory accounts, including overseeing the external audit, preparation of the balance sheet and profit and loss account and reviewing all returns to the Solicitors Regulation Authority and agreeing potential breaches with the auditors.
• Reviewing the cash flow of the firm and monitoring performance against budget monthly.
• Working with the COFO to prepare reforecasts at least quarterly. Understanding and initiating the appropriate actions in response to variances.
• Supporting the COFO in evaluating and preparing business plans for acquisition targets, and where required, integrating the finance functions of successful acquisitions.
• Overseeing the preparation of the monthly management accounts pack, including commentary and variance reporting.
• Overseeing partner payments: to include consulting with auditors and other advisers regarding income tax payments for the partners, the firm's bankers in relation to the firm's and partners' finances.
• Preparation and review of the US LLP and US Partner tax returns annually.

Experience needed:

• Chartered Accountant or equivalent professional qualification with significant post qualification experience, ideally in a similar role.
• Significant previous team management experience is essential. The ability to manage others to meet high expectations and tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of SRA Accounts rules and firm's Anti Money Laundering and KYC processes is advantageous though not essential.
• Understanding of business process and can demonstrate creation of simple, effective processes that drive business performance.

Specifics:

• Hybrid working offered - 2-3 days office based.
• Competitive bonus earning opportunity
• Extensive benefits list

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