Legal Finance & Accounting Market Insights Q3 2017
Senior recruitment picked up in Q2 with greater movement and an increase in newly created senior positions. The majority of new roles came from Top 20 law firms in London as firms focused on setting themselves apart from their competitors and assessing their commercial business needs.
Skills in demand
Finance Business Partner, Business Manager and Pricing/Commercial Accounting Manager vacancies have been at the forefront of top international firms’ agendas. Skills required for these roles include an accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with at least 5 years’ post qualification experience, as well as having experience of presenting and communicating with partners. Candidates with the gravitas and credibility to make an impact on senior stakeholders are highly sought after.
Alongside a significant increase in senior roles, many firms are now building out their commercial teams and are hiring at all levels. Following on from our Q2 market insights, we have seen more people transitioning from Revenue functions into Finance Analyst roles.
Growth in systems vacancies continue to be a trend so far this year, and we expect this to continue in H2.
During H1 of 2017, we have seen a growth in legal finance vacancies ranging across all disciplines and all levels within finance and accounting, this is a very positive sign in a still unpredictable market.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Kennedys merged with 100-strong US insurance firm.
Following one of the biggest mergers in the last few years, the new super firm is now operating under CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP.
Advice for employers
Move quickly - with the market being extremely busy, it is important to act fast as good candidates will often have their pick of new opportunities.
Sell your roles - the interview process from start to finish is really important to help your opportunity stand out, so it is essential to really sell the position you are recruiting for and get candidates bought in to the firm and the role at the early stages of the process.
Advice for jobseekers
Counter offers are rife in a candidate short market and it is easy to be flattered by these, but take the time to remember why you were looking for a new role in the first place.
Don’t use a generic CV - ensure that you spend the time tailoring your CV according to each role you are applying for, especially if you have a varied skill set.
Legal Finance & Accounting Salaries Q3 2017
| Job title | Annual salary range (£) | Contract rate (£) |
| Accounts Payable | ||
| Accounts Payable Supervisor | 35K - 50K | 21 - 30 an hour |
| Accounts Payable (2 years+) | 25K - 32K | 15 - 20 an hour |
| Accounts Payable (up to 2 years) | 20K - 25K | 12 - 15 an hour |
| Billing | ||
| Billings Manager | 45K - 60K | 28 - 37 an hour |
| Senior Legal Biller | 38K - 45K | 23 - 28 an hour |
| Legal Biller (2 years+) | 28K - 37K | 17 - 22 an hour |
| Legal Biller (up to 2 years) | 25K - 32K | 15 - 19 an hour |
| eBilling | ||
| Senior eBilling Coordinator | 35K - 45K | 21 - 27 an hour |
| eBilling Coordinator | 30K - 35K | 18 - 21 an hour |
| Revenue | ||
| Revenue Manager | 40K - 80K | 25 - 50 an hour |
| Revenue Controller | 35K - 40K | 21 - 24 an hour |
| Revenue Assistant | 25K - 34K | 15 - 21 an hour |
| Credit Control | ||
| Credit Manager | 45K - 70K | 28 - 40 an hour |
| Credit Controller (2 years+) | 30K - 42K | 18 - 26 an hour |
| Credit Controller (up to 2 years) | 25K - 28K | 15 - 17 an hour |
| Cashiering | ||
| Head Cashier | 45K - 65K | 28 - 40 an hour |
| Senior Legal Cashier | 35K - 45K | 21 - 28 an hour |
| Legal Cashier (2 years+) | 30K - 35K | 18 - 23 an hour |
| Legal Cashier (up to 2 years) | 25K - 32K | 15 - 18 an hour |
| Financial/Management Accounting | ||
| Finance Director | 140K - 250K | 1000 - 2000 per day |
| Financial Controller | 90K - 150K | 600 - 1000 per day |
| Fully Qualified Accountant (5 years PQE) | 70K+ | 300 - 400 per day |
| Fully Qualified Accountant (3-4 years PQE) | 65K - 75K | 280 - 400 per day |
| Fully Qualified Accountant (1-2 years PQE) | 50K - 65K | 230 - 280 per day |
| Newly Qualified Accountant | 45K - 55K | 200 - 250 per day |
| Part Qualified Accountant | 25K - 45K | 15 - 21 an hour |
| Finance Systems Analyst | 50K - 65K | 350 - 600 per day |
| Finance Systems Manger | 70K - 90K | 400 - 600 per day |
| Accounts Manager | 55K - 80K | 30 - 50 an hour |
| Commercial | ||
| Business Manager | 90K - 150K | 600 - 800 per day |
| Pricing Manager | 70K - 90K | 400 - 600 per day |
| Commercial/Pricing Analyst (qualified) | 55K - 70K | 300 - 400 per day |
| Commercial/Pricing Analyst (non-qualified) | 45K - 55K | 200 - 250 per day |
* Notes on salary table
1. Titles and levels vary from organisation to organisation.
2. The salary ranges given are only approximate guides. For tailored salary advice, please contact us directly.
3. 12-month base salaries are assumed.
4. All other benefits and bonuses are in addition to these figures.
5. Bonus ranges can vary significantly from company to company and will be influenced by market conditions, business and individual performances.
by Olivia Kelly