Finance Manager

Location: London
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £70-75+ Benefits

About the Role

A well-established and growing mid-sized London law firm is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to support the Finance Director in the leadership, development and day-to-day management of the finance function.

This is a broad, hands-on position offering significant exposure across legal finance operations, financial control, regulatory compliance and team leadership. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the finance team delivers a high-quality service to partners and fee earners while maintaining robust financial controls and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Finance Operations & Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop a finance team covering billing, legal cashiering, accounts payable and credit control.
• Manage day-to-day finance operations, ensuring accuracy, efficiency and high service standards across all activities.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement and professional development.
• Act as a key point of contact for partners and department heads on finance-related matters.

Financial Control & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and all relevant regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Oversee client and office account transactions, ensuring the appropriate handling of client money.
• Maintain strong internal controls and finance procedures to mitigate risk and safeguard firm assets.
• Support audits and liaise with external advisers where required.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Produce and review management information, financial reports and performance analysis.
• Assist the Finance Director with budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management.
• Monitor WIP, billing performance, debtor balances and working capital metrics.
• Provide commercial insight and recommendations to support decision-making across the firm.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve finance systems, controls and reporting processes.
• Drive efficiencies across finance operations and support the implementation of best practices.
• Contribute to projects focused on automation, system enhancements and process optimisation.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

• Significant experience within a finance management role, ideally gained within a legal or professional services environment.
• Strong understanding of legal finance operations
• Sound knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules and client money regulations.
• Proven experience leading, coaching and developing finance teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with partners, senior stakeholders and external advisers.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Desirable

• AAT, ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualified, part-qualified or actively studying towards a professional qualification.
• Previous experience within a mid-sized or regional law firm.
• Exposure to legal practice management systems and finance system improvements.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary package.
• Opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and influence the development of the finance function.
• Broad and varied role within a collaborative and professional legal environment.
• Excellent career development opportunities and long-term progression potential.