My client is a well-established medium-sized law firm with around 100 fee earners offering legal advice to corporate and institutional clients as well as to private individuals. Their specialist practice areas are Commercial and Residential Property, Private Client, Corporate and Litigation. They are based in prestigious offices in the heart of London’s West End.
They have an exciting opportunity for a strong Financial Compliance Manager to join their Finance team, they will consider someone on a part time basis.
Responsibilities
- Oversee reconciliations of client ledger totals, cash book balances, and bank statements for all client accounts, ensuring discrepancies are promptly investigated and resolved, with documented sign-off by COFA.
- Maintain and review breach register for Accounts Rules infringements ensuring prompt escalation to COFA where required and, where serious, timely reporting to the SRA.
- Investigate root causes of breaches (process gaps, system issues, human error), propose remedial measures, and track closure of actions.
- Liaise with external auditors when preparing formal accountants’ reports or responding to SRA inquiries regarding breaches.
- Assist in drafting, reviewing, and updating the firm’s Accounts Rules policies and procedure manuals to reflect current SRA Rules, guidance, and best practice.
- Create tailored guidance notes for practice groups.
- Maintain a regulatory developments log for changes to Accounts Rules or related SRA guidance, circulating briefs to relevant teams.
- Plan and execute periodic internal audits or sample file reviews to check compliance with Accounts Rules: verify source documents, client ledger accuracy, timely reconciliations, and adherence to policy.
- Identify control weaknesses and work with Finance/IT to implement system or process enhancements where needed.
- Ensure evidence of COFA challenge (e.g., review notes, sign-offs) is maintained, demonstrating ongoing oversight.
- Develop and deliver targeted training sessions and refreshers for fee-earners and support staff on Accounts Rules basics: safe handling of client money, recognising prohibited transactions (e.g., using client account as banking facility), and reporting obligations.
- Produce regular reports for COFA/Management Board: reconciliation timeliness rates, number and nature of breaches, status of remediation actions, training completion rates.
- Highlight trends or emerging risks (e.g., recurring reconciliation errors in particular practice areas) and recommend proactive measures.
- Stay current with any updates to the Accounts Rules or SRA guidance; recommend updates to policies/procedures promptly.
- Incorporate lessons learned from internal/external audits and SRA feedback into controls and training materials.
Candidate Profile
- Solicitors’ Accounts Rules Expertise: Deep knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules
- Law Firm Finance Environment: Prior experience in a law firm’s accounts or finance team, ideally with direct involvement in client account management, reconciliations, or preparation of accountants’ reports.
- Systems Proficiency: Familiarity with practice-management systems or accounting software used for legal accounts; strong Excel skills for ad-hoc analysis of ledger data.
- Audit & Controls: Experience conducting or supporting internal audits/reviews of client accounts, identifying control gaps, and driving remediation.
- Regulatory Engagement: Exposure to SRA inspections or inquiries relating to Accounts Rules; liaison with external accountants or regulatory bodies.
- Communication & Training: Ability to draft clear policies/manuals, deliver engaging training, and communicate issues sensitively yet assertively to fee-earners and senior management.
- Relevant accounting or finance qualification (e.g., ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA or equivalent experience in law-firm accounting).
Important Notice
It is Career Legal’s policy, as a matter of courtesy, to respond to all applications within three working days. However, because of the volume of applications, we are sometimes unable to respond to individual candidates. If we have not contacted you within three working days your application has been unsuccessful and your details have not been retained. Please apply for any other position that you may see in the future. Thank you.
Career Legal is a Recruitment Agency and is advertising this permanent vacancy on behalf of one of its clients.
