Interim Head of Group Finance - London

Company

International law firm based in London now seeks to appoint an Interim Head of Group Finance to lead its operational finance agenda.  Responsible for the core accounting and reporting activities of the firm, this is a critical role resulting from an internal project secondment.  Innovative in its approach and well connected across the globe, the firm has a core of successful specialisms and continues to explore new global markets and opportunities.

Location

This role is initially offered on a 12 month fixed term contract basis and will require 2-3 days/week working out of the London office.  We are ideally looking for a start date of April/May 2024.

Background Sought

Qualified Accountant with experience of working within a legal services environment.

Role

Working with the Group Finance Director, you will provide management and leadership to the Finance team in the delivery of an efficient, effective finance service to the firm as a whole in particular revenue generation through billing, cashiering, credit control, reporting and working capital control.

Specific responsibilities include:

Finance Accounting:

• Maintenance of up-to-date technical knowledge of IFRS within the team – ownership of group and subsidiary accounting policies, financial statement, and tax filings in the UK and overseas
• External reporting, including drafting of board packs, drafting of the annual report and  presentations for key external stakeholders
• Own the financial reporting timetable for the Group (which includes a number of subsidiaries). This includes:
  • Responsible for monthly production of statutory balance sheet, P&L and Cashflow reconciliations for the Group and subsidiaries.
  • Preparation of cash flow forecasts to inform working capital requirements.
  • Direct management of the financial accounting team (approximately 40+)
  • Statutory Accounts and Audit process
  • Lead the relationship with external auditors and tax advisors
  • Lead “technical expertise” across the Finance function, advising on best practice and the application of accounting standards across the business

Financial Control Environment:

• Own Group financial controls, working across the Finance Leadership Team to ensure financial processes and procedures operate within a strong control environment and ensure regulatory compliance
• Responsibility for the LLP Members tax affairs, and general tax strategies, ensuring effective and compliant relationships with tax and other statutory bodies

About You

Preferably ACA qualified, you will be working or recently have worked in the legal sector and be comfortable advising the LLP and the Managing Partner on how to achieve its strategic goals.  With strong leadership skills and clear potential to grow your career, you will have a proven background in building and shaping “best in class” finance teams within an international law firm environment.  Benefits include competitive basic salary and bonus.