Your new company An exciting opportunity for a qualified accountant with solicitors' experience to take full ownership of a well-established regional law firm's finance function - leading the team and partnering directly with the Board.A respected, growing regional law firm is seeking an accomplished Finance Manager to lead its finance function and manage a team of four. This is a high-profile role for a qualified accountant who combines strong technical expertise with confident, collaborative people leadership.You will be a trusted adviser to the Partners and Management Board, providing clear commercial insight while ensuring robust financial control and full compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules.
Easy access from the M11/M25/A414 and the Central Line

Your new role
This is more than a reporting role. You will lead the day-to-day financial operations of the firm, shape management information, strengthen systems and controls, and help drive informed decision-making across the business.Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing a finance team of four, including performance management, training and succession planning.
• Producing monthly management accounts, financial reports, KPI reporting and variance analysis.
• Managing budgets, forecasts, cash flow, banking relationships and borrowing requirements.
• Monitoring lock-up, WIP, debtors, disbursements, billing performance, recovery rates and departmental profitability.
• Overseeing client and office account reconciliations, payments and receipts, and residual client balances.
• Ensuring ongoing compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules, VAT, PAYE, payroll and other relevant obligations.
• Preparing information for statutory accounts, annual accountant's reports, audits and compliance reviews.
• Working closely with senior stakeholders, including Partners, the Management Board, HR, IT and compliance colleagues.
• Improving finance processes, controls, reporting dashboards and the use of legal accounting systems.
• Potential appointment to COFA.

What you'll need to succeed
You will be a qualified accountant, ACA, ACCA or CIMA, with finance experience gained within a law firm, alongside the credibility to influence senior stakeholders.You will have:

• Proven finance experience within a law firm.
• Working knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules and legal-sector financial controls.
• Proven experience preparing management accounts, budgets, forecasts and cash-flow reporting.
• Experience managing and motivating a finance team.
• Sound knowledge of legal billing, revenue recognition, VAT, payroll and legal accounting or case-management systems.
• Strong commercial awareness, excellent organisational skills and the ability to communicate financial information clearly.
• A practical, positive and service-led approach, with the judgement to identify and manage risk.

Previous COFA experience would be advantageous.
What you'll get in return
You will join a supportive firm that values professional development, high standards and a healthy work/life balance. The package includes hybrid and flexible working, a structured career path, bonus schemes, 25 days' holiday rising with service, pension, healthcare cash plan and a broad range of wellbeing benefits. Apply through Hays with your CV to discuss the opportunity in confidence.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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