posted: 18th June 2025

Accountancy Recruit is partnering with a personal and commercial law firm in the recruitment of a Financial Controller based in Cheltenham. The role of the Financial Controller is crucial in managing the company’s financial health, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting decision-making.

Responsibilities and Duties –
Leadership

• Setting clear goals and expectations.
• Providing guidance and support, i.e., mentoring, constructive feedback and helping team members develop their skills and overcome challenges.
• Managing performance & development by conducting regular performance reviews and identifying opportunities for development and growth.
• Driving continuous improvement, encouraging process enhancements and adaptability to help the team grown and succeed in a dynamic work environment.

Daily Activities

• Cashflow inputting & monitoring.
• Working with the External Accountants.
• Bank reconciliation – Client/Office/Limited/LLP.
• Posting – standing orders/direct debits paid and received.
• Banking – all cash/cheques received.
• Cheque requests – processing requests for Client and Office.
• Invoices and financial statements – post and check before submission to client.
• Staff expenses – process requests.
• Client interest – calculate.
• CHAPS/BACS/Fast Pay/International Money Movers – set up.
• Credit card payments.
• WIP – process write-offs.
• Purchase Ledger – post invoices.
• Land Registry – invoices due 2 days after searches requested.
• Clients – take calls from clients with accounts queries, card payments etc.
• Transfer of costs.

Weekly Activities

• Petty cash – reconcile and post.
• Bills – reconcile outstanding bills list with bill file.
• Directors’ expenses.
• Unpaid disbursements – check / liaise with fee earners.
• Client ledger – check balances.
• Office ledger – check balances / liaise with fee earner (Anticipated Disbursements).
• Thirdfort/Xpress Legal.

Monthly Activities

• Prepare management accounts and information packs.
• Client Deposit Accounts – check statements from Lloyds.
• Deposit Accounts – check statements as they arrive.
• Deposit Account balances – apply interest.
• Deposit Accounts – update open and closed spreadsheet.
• Purchase Ledger – pay bi-monthly after Director/Practice Manager authorisation.
• Directors’ business charge cards.
• District Judge expenses (Rachel Stewart).
• WIP – ensure all fee earners submit their WIP for updating.

Annual Activities

• Journal Entries – from Accountants.
• Equity Directors Car Tax/AA.

Month End and Year End Activities and Reports

• Bank reconciliation reports.
• Full matter balance listings.
• Trial balance (combined and separately) for Limited and LLP entities.
• Aged bills by fee earner reports.
• Matters opened by fee earner report.
• Balance sheet (year).
• Matter balance summary.
• Deposit balance report.
• Fee earner reports.
• Develop reporting on profit and loss per department.
• Develop reporting on conversion of chargeable hours to billing and time from doing the work to receiving payment by department.

Compliance

• Comply with the Company’s compliance, anti-money laundering and other regulatory processes and policies. 
• Keep yourself up to date with all changes in the Company’s compliance procedures.

Client Care

• Be involved in the Company’s commitment to client care and ensure confidentiality.

Training

• Be proactive in your own training, requesting explanation and further information or training as needed.
• Attend in-house training, including webinars, as required and encourage and support team development.

Requirements & Skills

• Fully Qualified: ACA, CIMA, ACCA, AAT or Qualified by Experience
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, analysis and cash flow management
• Proficiency in accounting principles, financial analysis, and risk management
• Knowledge of taxation, VAT, and compliance with accounting rules in a regulated sector
• Have a good level of commercial competence and able to analyse financial data to suggest improvements in profitability by considering pricing/billing profiles/team structure/work type etc.
• Ability to work closely with external partners and regulatory bodies
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills to manage and develop the finance team
• Ability to delegate tasks, set clear objectives and ensure accountability within the finance function
• Ability to provide financial insights and recommendations to practice manager and partners
• High accuracy in financial reporting, reconciliations, compliance monitoring
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to interpret financial data and identify trends and risks
• Proficient in the use of MS Excel and finance and practice software
• Strong verbal and written communication to present financial information to partners and non-financial staff
• Strong negotiation skills, ability to negotiate with vendors, auditors, and regulatory bodies.

Remuneration

• Salary £50 – 60,000 pa
• Hours: 37.5-hour week. Core hours – 9.00 am to 5.30 pm
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays (Discretionary days at Christmas)
• Pension: Auto Enrolment
• Private Medical Health Insurance
• Death in Service x 3
• Study support & career development
• Involvement in the charity of the year support
• Member of the firm’s social committee activities
• Initially office based – 1 day per week hybrid to follow probation