Finance Manager

As Howell Jones continues to grow, we’re looking for an experienced Finance Manager to join our team and play a key role in supporting the financial management of the firm.

Reporting to our Finance Director, this is a varied and hands-on position combining financial reporting, operational finance management, process improvement and support for the day-to-day running of the finance team.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys getting into the detail, producing meaningful financial information and helping ensure that financial processes and controls keep pace with the growth of the business.

This role would suit an experienced Finance Manager, Management Accountant or Assistant Financial Controller looking to progress to a broad and varied role within a successful and growing professional services firm. The role will play an important part in ensuring the finance function has the systems, processes and controls required to support the continued growth of the firm.

Location: Kingston upon Thames, Surrey

Full Time or 4 Days per Week (80%)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Reporting

• Produce monthly KPI, profitability and performance reporting.
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Prepare financial analysis to support business decisions.
• Analyse trends and identify areas requiring management attention.

Operational Finance

• Support the day-to-day operation of the finance department.
• Assist in supervising finance team workflows and workloads.
• Act as a point of escalation for finance-related queries.
• Help ensure key deadlines and reporting requirements are met.
• Support billing, purchase ledger, sales ledger and cash management processes.

Financial Controls and Compliance

• Maintain and develop financial controls and procedures.
• Review balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support compliance with Solicitors Accounts Rules and internal financial policies.
• Assist with preparation for external audits and regulatory reviews.
• Ensure financial records are maintained accurately and consistently.

Cashflow and Working Capital

• Produce cashflow forecasts and reporting.
• Monitor debtor balances, lock-up and working capital performance.
• Support credit control reporting and initiatives.

Systems, Data and Process Improvement

• Produce advanced Excel reporting and analysis.
• Develop and maintain reports using Pivot Tables and Microsoft Query.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, reporting and processes.
• Support automation and efficiency initiatives across the finance function.

Business Support

• Work closely with the Finance Director on strategic and operational projects.
• Provide financial information and analysis to management and partners as required.
• Support the continued development of the finance function as the firm grows.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• AAT qualified (minimum).
• Strong management accounting experience.
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis and reporting and query-based reporting (Microsoft Query or similar tools).
• Experience supporting or supervising finance staff.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Desirable

• ACCA, CIMA or ACA part-qualified or qualified.
• Experience within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Experience of legal accounting systems.
• Experience implementing or improving financial controls.
• Experience supporting business growth and change projects.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and self-motivated.
• Commercially aware.
• Process and improvement-focused.
• Collaborative and supportive.
• Confident working in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to balance operational requirements with longer-term improvements.

Job Types: Permanent, Full-time

Pay: £45,000.00-£50,000.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Kingston upon Thames, Greater London: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

• Do you have a AAT as a minimum qualification?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kingston upon Thames