Head of Finance

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The following content displays a map of the jobs location - No.1 London Bridge, London, SE1 9BG

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This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Finance to lead the firm’s finance function. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role is responsible for financial strategy, operational finance, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the firm’s financial performance supports our strategic ambitions.

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This is a key leadership role, partnering closely with senior stakeholders to drive profitability, improve financial insight, and support the firm’s continued growth.

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The Head of Finance role has the following direct reports:

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• Senior Financial Accountant
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• Head of Financial Systems
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Main responsibilities\n

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• Set and clearly communicate the Finance team strategy, ensuring alignment of team objectives with the wider firm strategy
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• Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
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• Act as a trusted advisor to the COO, Partnership, and Executive Board
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• Oversee all financial operations including management accounts, reporting, and year-end statutory accounts
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• Oversee the production of the annual budget and reforecasting processes
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• Deliver timely, accurate and insightful MI and KPIs to support decision-making
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• Review monthly cashflow projections and ensure effective working capital management
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• Develop and deliver advanced financial modelling to support business needs
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• Provide modelling and analysis across key areas including:\n
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  • Lock-up and working capital reporting
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  • Partner remuneration modelling
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  • Business planning and strategic initiatives
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• Drive data-led insights to enhance firm performance
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Commercial Finance & Business Partnering

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• Provide commercial support to the business, working closely with the Senior Commercial Finance Manager to drive profitability
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• Partner with Heads of Department on financial and operational performance
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• Support pricing, utilisation, and margin improvement initiatives
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Systems & Transformation

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• Work closely with the Head of Financial Systems on system upgrades and enhancements
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• Ensure finance systems evolve in line with business needs and reporting requirements
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• Identify opportunities for automation, efficiency, and improved reporting capability
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Operational Finance

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• Oversee billing, WIP, credit control, and working capital optimisation
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• Collaborate with the debt collections team, including understanding litigation-related recovery actions
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• Act as the point of contact for queries relating to changes in originations
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Regulatory & Compliance

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• Oversee the statutory accounts process and SRA audit
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• Ensure compliance with SRA Accounts Rules and all regulatory obligations
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• Deputise for the COFA where required, including reviewing monthly bank reconciliations and ensuring robust financial controls
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Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

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• Work collaboratively across Business Services Heads (BSH), contributing to and influencing firm-wide projects
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• Attend and actively contribute to BSH meetings, providing a strong financial perspective
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• Partner with other business services leaders to drive cross-functional initiatives
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Other

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• Support the COO with ad hoc strategic and operational projects as required
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About you\n

Ideally you will be able to demonstrate;

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• An accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent)
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• Significant senior finance experience within a UK law firm or professional services environment
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• Strong understanding of SRA Accounts Rules and legal finance operations
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• Advanced financial modelling and analytical capability
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• Experience working with finance systems and driving system improvements
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• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate within a partnership structure
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• Strong leadership experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams
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• The ability to think strategically, with a hands-on, delivery-focused approach
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• Commerciality with strong problem-solving skills
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• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to build strong relationships across the firm
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• Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic partnership environment
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• Clear communication skills with the ability to translate financial information for non-finance stakeholders
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At Howard Kennedy we believe that everyone deserves the space to thrive. We’re committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience that reflects the diversity of both our people and our clients.

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We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, and we’re committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and accessible to all.

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We understand that every candidate’s needs are different If there’s anything we can do to make your application journey more comfortable— whether for interviews, assessments, or onboarding—please let us know. We’ll work with you to remove any barriers and ensure our recruitment process is comfortable for you.

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Please note that we are not accepting applications via agencies for this role at this time. Before sharing any named candidate CVs, please contact your recruitment representative. If any named CVs are sent from agencies without approval from our recruitment team, they will not be deemed valid introductions, and no agency fee will be paid.

About Us\n

With almost 200 lawyers in one location, we ensure our clients have the right team to help them get from where they are to where they want to be. We advise major corporates and institutions as well as entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises which are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. As well as our significant business law capability, we are one of only a few London-based law firms with a large private wealth offering. Our clients find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.

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Whether you are an ambitious and talented individual wanting to hit the ground running from day one, or an established professional looking for a new opportunity, Howard Kennedy is the firm where you can really make it happen.

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We have earned a strong reputation for our exceptional and uniquely talented people who between them deliver outstanding results for clients. In a firm of our size, our strong team dynamic creates a thriving culture of creativity and entrepreneurialism. Howard Kennedy is a pragmatic and non-hierarchical environment where success is shared, and you are proactively encouraged to thrive at your own pace.

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Our distinctive culture is built on fairness and respect. Guided by the firm’s values of talk straight, think smart and be yourself, everyone in the firm holds equal value, and everyone plays their role in supporting, encouraging and inspiring colleagues to do their best work.

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At the same time, we recognise and reward individualism, celebrating the diversity of our people and supporting them to grow their practice and drive their own career advancement.

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As well as client work, there is opportunity to broaden your horizons at the firm with fulfilling pro bono and charity projects. We have a regular social calendar full of wellbeing activities, charitable and social events too.

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