Full job descriptionWe are currently working with a highly progressive firm of specialist solicitors based in Hertfordshire who are renowned for their professional yet personal service.
The firm are ranked in The Legal 500, a leading legal directory, and hold many accreditations including Lexcel, Customer Service Excellence, Cyber Essentials+ and ISO9001. Their aim is to recruit progressive, forward-thinking individuals who wish to be part of their growth and who share their core values:
Open and honest
Working together
Valuing people
Taking pride in what we do
About the role
The Head of Finance will be responsible for providing strategic finance and daily control for the accounting function within the business. The Head of Finance will ensure that external and internal service levels, compliance and legislative standards are set and achieved, and the finance function is performed to the highest standards. They will manage the finance strategy and plan, budget and expenditure, audits and maintain external and internal relationships and ensure that the finance team work efficiently and accurately.
The Head of Finance will set the tone for the finance provision and deliver a consistent message to all staff within the business through appropriate communication at all levels and will maintain documentation, adhere to SAR rules and policies, whilst maintaining the firm’s core principles and in a manner aligned with the firm’s strategy and / or stated objectives.
The Head of Finance will ensure the delivery of "Business as Usual" financial services whilst continuing to consider and deliver new solutions in line with the finance strategy, either internally or by engaging third parties.
Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Control:
Manage all transactional and financial accounting procedures, ensuring appropriate controls are in place
Manage the Practice Management accounting system ensuring relevant processes are controlled
Oversee the banking functions for all banking systems and accounts
Review cash and bank reports, forecasts and reconciliations
Oversee supplier pay runs and ad hoc payments prior to authorisation
Review interest payments to client accounts
Attend meeting as required
Financial Accounting:
Manage the month end accounting process in line with the agreed timetable
Review and approve all general ledger journals
Prepare the month end accounts in accordance with agreed timetable
Review all monthly balance sheet reconciliations
Prepare and review monthly trial balance reports
Prepare and distribute monthly reports to include fee earner snapshots
Enter salary payments onto the bank for approval to ensure employees are paid on time
Review all regular and ad hoc financial accounts related analysis and reports
Manage the year end accounting and audit process
Manage the statutory accounts and annual return processes
Ensure that all accounting standards are understood, communicated and applied
Ensure that the finance manual is compliant with internal and external requirements and kept up to date
Management Accounts, Budgeting and Forecasting:
Complete a timely and accurate issue of draft and final monthly management accounts in the agreed format
Attend monthly management accounts meetings working closely with the Managing Partner to ensure that management information is shared with all Equity Partners
Leads on the annual budget and forecasting process
Performance reporting
About the Person
Essential Skills
Educated to relevant degree standard
Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent)
Minimum 5 years’ experience of delivering finance leadership to law firms or other professional services, at a high level
Thorough understanding of a service environment with a strong customer service orientation.
Ability to interpret budget, accounting and fiscal procedures, policies and regulations
Ability to translate complex financial information for non-finance colleagues
Strong numerical skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
Organised and methodical, able to prioritise and organise workload effectively
Clear and concise communication skills, both orally and in writing
Flexible and adaptable with good time management skills to meet own, team and wider business deadlines
Essential Experience Requirements
Previous experience in senior leadership post in a small/medium organisation
Previous experience in managing a small transactional team delivering to the firm
Understanding and knowledge of partnership requirements
In-depth knowledge and understanding of accounting, budgeting and auditing principles and procedures
Previous experience in technical accounting and taxation
Hands on experience using and optimising accounting systems
Desirable Skills
Previous experience of working for a law firm or in the legal sector
Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment


For full details or to discuss the role please contact Natalie Mayger at The Recruiter Specialists. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest of confidence.