Finance Controller

Overview

In this role you lead the London Finance team to ensure accurate, controlled financial reporting and commercial support for lawyers and business professionals. You are a key partner to firm leadership, providing analysis and challenge to enable informed decisions. You oversee cost budgeting, month-end reporting, and statutory accounts under FRS 102, coordinating with the Belfast Service Center and external auditors. You manage UK tax matters, treasury governance, and external advisory relationships, driving robust controls. You contribute to firm-wide initiatives to align finance with global process owners and specialist functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the London Finance team to deliver high-quality, controlled finance services
• Act as a business partner to lawyers, Business Professionals and Firm leadership, providing financial insight for decision-making
• Lead London cost budgeting and process improvements to optimise the Firm’s cost base
• Oversee monthly management reporting, balance sheet integrity and financial controls with cross-team collaboration
• Maintain responsibility for statutory accounts of London entities, including FRS 102 compliance and external audit management
• Lead finance support for internal audit, ensuring robust balance sheet substantiation and control documentation
• Oversee UK tax matters, including compliance, reporting and liaison with external advisers
• Collaborate with cashier team on banking relationships, treasury activities and significant payment approvals
• Serve as principal relationship manager for external audits, tax and other advisers
• Provide technical accounting guidance on accounting treatment, expenses, asset capitalization and other finance matters
• Support Business Professionals’ initiatives, ensuring alignment with Specialist Functions and Global Process Owners

Key requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (desirable)
• Qualified with an appropriate recognized accounting body
• Experience leading finance teams in a professional services environment
• Strong governance, internal/external audit, and statutory reporting capabilities

• Respectful and transparent communication
• Care for others and discretion with confidential matters
• Stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration
• FRS 102 knowledge
• Statutory accounts and external audit management
• Management reporting and balance sheet control

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