Financial Controller

My client is a dynamic and ambitious law firm seeking an experienced Financial Controller to oversee and manage the financial operations. This is a leadership role responsible for the largest part of the finance function, including Management Accounting, FP&A, day-to-day financial operations and Credit Control.

Role Overview: The successful candidate will lead the financial management, ensuring robust financial controls and efficient accounting processes. You will support the delivery of budgets and targets, provide analysis, drive continuous improvement, and support strategic commercial decisions. This role is pivotal in aligning the firms' financial strategy to drive further profitability and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership:

• Oversee the day-to-day finance function, holding line-management responsibilities.
• Supervise and mentor the team, fostering a cohesive and collaborative culture focused on quality, performance, and continuous improvement.
• Suggest enhancements to team structures and roles to meet the evolving needs of the business and provide development opportunities for team members.

Financial Management:

• Manage general ledger activities, ensuring adherence to deadlines, quality standards, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the accounting and billing & collections functions, supporting the delivery of billing and collections in line with targets.
• Oversee the accurate preparation of monthly management reports and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support the budget process for the firm.
• Oversee and sign off on banking reconciliations.
• Oversee the accurate preparation of regular cashflow forecasts.
• Act as the key contact with the firm's banking providers, managing banking and loan facilities.
• Provide senior-level approval for invoices, expenses, and bank payments.

External Audit Oversight & Management:

• Support the preparation of Annual Accounts in coordination with the external accounting firm.
• Act as the main contact for the annual Financial Audit, managing the audit process.

Tax Oversight & Management:

• Assist the firm's external tax advisor in preparing the UK annual tax return.
• Support the preparation and management of VAT and PSA submissions.
• Support our tax advisors with the preparation of individual partner tax returns.

Risk & Compliance:

• Serve as the Compliance Officer for Finance & Administration (COFA), ensuring a culture of risk management across the finance team and wider firm.
• Responsible for financial inputs into SRA audits.

Oversight of Partnership Financials:

• Manage the firm's financial management related to the all-equity partner structure, including partner capital loans, profit distributions, and partner tax payments.
• Support the production of financial reporting for partner performance reviews and remuneration.

Management of Financial Systems & Processes:

• Manage the Elite 3E Practice Management System.
• Maintain external relationships with financial management suppliers.
• Continuously review, improve, and develop financial processes to enhance efficiencies and deliver optimized financial services.
• Support the firm's strategy by aligning KPIs, reporting, and financial insights.
• Promote the firm's agenda of operating as 'one firm'.

Reporting Line: This role reports to and works closely with the COO/Head of Finance, with potential to develop into the Head of Finance role over time.

Qualifications:

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification
• Proven experience in a senior financial management role.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Proficiency in financial systems and software, particularly Elite 3E.

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