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Senior Legal Finance & Accounting Recruitment Trends in Q4 2025

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Through Q3 - and the summer months - the senior legal finance & accounting recruitment market remained surprisingly active. Traditionally, we expect to see some slowdown over the holiday season, but this year, hiring momentum stayed strong across many specialist areas.

A Busy Quarter for Revenue Management and Commercial Finance

Senior revenue management roles continued to be a real focus area throughout Q3, with US law firms in particular leading the charge on recruitment. The demand for experienced professionals in this space shows no sign of easing, as firms continue to recognise the importance of strong revenue and pricing functions to support profitability.

We also saw sustained investment in commercial finance roles - especially in finance business partnering, dedicated commercial finance functions, and pricing. Many firms are continuing to build out these teams, with a particular emphasis on roles that add commercial value and drive strategic decision-making.

Toward the end of Q3, for example, we saw newly created commercial finance manager positions emerging - particularly within smaller firms that are looking to formalise and strengthen their finance functions with dedicated hires.

Partnership Accounting

The partnership accounting space was also notably active, with roles spanning a variety of levels. At the senior end, we saw several senior manager and partnership accounting manager positions arise, often due to team movements and retirements.

This kind of natural turnover presents great opportunities for incoming professionals to make their mark - stepping into well-established teams but with the chance to shape the role and bring fresh ideas.

Pricing

Interestingly, we’re also seeing pricing roles evolve. There’s a noticeable shift toward positions that have a stronger client negotiation element - an evolution worth watching as firms increasingly value commercial acumen alongside technical pricing skills.

Tax Remains a Key Focus

Tax recruitment remained busy in Q3, particularly in international tax. However, there continues to be a significant shortage of international partnership tax experts in the market. As a result, many firms have been looking more broadly at candidates from corporate tax backgrounds who have strong international exposure, even if they have less partnership tax experience.

Heading into Q4

The expected “September rush” didn’t quite materialise at the senior end of the market (although my colleagues who cover junior–mid level roles have been so busy!). Instead, roles have been trickling through more gradually into October. Where we have noticed a slowdown is in the more traditional senior finance roles – Financial Controller, Finance Director and Head of Finance roles have seen little movement in the recent months.

Overall, firms are still hiring, and professionals are open to moving - but it’s a passive market. There are not lots of individuals actively looking for new roles, but the right opportunity can prompt them to take the next step. That’s where specialist recruitment insight really makes the difference: understanding what motivates individuals, what kinds of roles will genuinely appeal, and how firms can attract top talent in a competitive environment.

The year so far has been defined by steady hiring momentum, evolving commercial roles, and ongoing investment in finance teams. As we head further into Q4, it’s clear that firms remain confident - focused on growth, structure, and strategic capability for the future.

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