Financial Controller

The role of Financial Controller is central to all associated operations within Finance and will be responsible for developing and implementing robust processes and controls while managing a small finance team. The role reports to the Finance Director, but will have regular contact with other professionals, executives, and the systems managers

Client Details

With a turnover of about £6 million a year and 71 people who work across 7 offices in the South/Southwest, the finance team is currently 5 people (4 FTE) and supports two legal entities. The finance team produces annual accounts, monthly management accounts, and the reports for investors, lenders, and management. They help the executive collect the revenue that is due, raise finance from external providers, and ensure everyone (including Experts and the Courts) are paid on time. The finance team helps the executive with budgets and forecasts. By implementing effective financial planning, controls, and efficient systems, the finance team can use their expertise to minimise business risk and ensure optimum growth. Regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority and must apply specific financial controls and rules in addition to the normal accounting and reporting best practices and FRS 102.

Description

Team Management:

• Provision of effective and timely line management support for finance team;
• Lead on the annual Performance Development Review process and provide meaningful feedback to team members;
• Motivate and provide training and development opportunities to encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration;
• Manage any sensitive employee issues with empathy, time and focus;
• Role model appropriate professional behaviour to develop a high-performance team;
• Be responsible for adhering to all company health and safety policies and procedures in the Finance Team.

Technical:

• Provision of prompt, complete, accurate, and understandable financial information to the Board to enable effective policy making and ensure delivery on the business strategy;
• Review financial plans and budgets to ensure cost savings opportunities are identified and implemented;
• Establish and implement effective financial reporting systems to ensure compliance with relevant rules and regulations including SRA regulations;
• Ownership of the trial balance and nominal ledger;
• Ensure timely and accurate updating of the Master Loan Schedule;
• All other loan payments: negotiation and allocation of capital/interest and relationship to loan schedules;
• General liquidity management;
• Ensure that all financial transactions are appropriately recorded, filed and reported;
  • Management of a factored receivable account and weekly reconciliation of same;
  • Management of billing process in conjunction with Revenue and Cash Manager;
  • Management of Disbursements payment runs;
  • Management of Income/Expenditure budget;
  • Management of a client monies banking system under trust rules;
  • Control of accounting/cashiering processes;
• Delivery of monthly payroll in conjunction with HR and outsourced bureau;
• Control HMRC relationship and payments and paperwork and loans;
• Management of the nominal ledger, chart of accounts, journals and any coding or apportionments;
• Oversight and risk management of creditors;
• Oversight of the pension payments system;
• Management of credit cards payments and coding to Management Accounts;
• Management of cash floats for offices and monthly expenditure posting;
• Assisting statutory auditors and external stakeholders during any review or audits

Relationship with other roles:

• Close working relationship with the FD;
• Respond to queries and provide assistance to professional staff (Solicitors) as required;
• Collaborate and provide accurate and timely information for the management accountant and/or FP&A accountant.

General:

• Maintain a visible presence across the business to ensure that finance processes are adhered to and all compliance requirements are met;
• Strive for continuous improvement to meet business needs;
• Contribute to business financial strategy and decision-making processes;
• Participate in ad-hoc projects as directed by the Finance Director to enhance the effectiveness of the team.

Profile

• Qualified Accountant or qualified by experience with at least 3 years' relevant experience at FC level
• Up to date CPD and relevant understanding of FRS 102
• Professional services experience desirable (solicitors, accountants)
• Attention to detail and meeting strict deadlines essential
• Demonstrates initiative and driving priorities forward
• Strong IT skills (Microsoft 365/Teams/Case Management)
• Excellent ability in Excel required, up to PowerPivot (PowerBI would be a benefit), good financial modelling and forecasting required
• Ideally proficient in the use of Law Man (other legal financial systems may be beneficial)
• Demonstrable experience in managing a small but busy finance team covering all disciplines and managing multiple priorities
• Well-developed communication skills, both verbal and written, to engage, motivate and develop a team
• Strong commercial skills and business acumen
• Enthusiastic about personal and professional development and instils that ethos in team members
• Full flexibility with travel and other priorities according to business need

Job Offer

Competitive salary of £65k plus benefits