JOB DESCRIPTION. Cambridge, Northampton and Huntingdon OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Transcription

1 LGSS Law Ltd At the Forefront of Public Sector Legal Services JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Office: Directorate: Reports to: Grade: Location: Hours: Practice Manager (Finance) LGSS Law Limited Practice Management Director of LGSS Law Ltd MB4 Cambridge, Northampton and Huntingdon Full Time (37 hours) OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB To manage the finance team within LGSS Law Ltd and oversee the financial responsibilities of the firm. Ensuring that there is compliance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules, monitoring and developing the recovery of legal fees from clients and being the main point of contact for financial queries from within LGSS Law Ltd and from external clients. Having responsibility for ensuring that the Director and members of the management team are appropriately briefed regarding the financial performance of the company and individual fee eraners as appropriate. To advise the Director with regards to proposed dividends and to be responsible for ensuring that the company is apporiately advised in respect of taxation. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES Accounts 1. To be responsible for the day to day management and running of the accounts and accounts system across LGSS Law Ltd in accordance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules and other relevant regulatory requirements. 2. To undertake the supervision of the accounts staff undertaking work within the legal accounts system. 3. To manage and develop the billing procedures used by LGSS Law Ltd including liaising with clients on any accounts queries. 4. To ensure that the financial systems are fit for purpose and to contribute to budget setting and financial planning for LGSS Law Ltd. 5. To manage cash flow, including debtors and creditors, as well as the banking facilities. 6. To liaise with LGSS Finance, as required, to ensure the accuracy of all accounts information. 7. To be the main point of contact for all client billing enquiries. 8. To ensure that suitable monitoring and recovery systems are in place with regard to unpaid invoices. 9. To keep under review and advise as appropriate in order to ensure effective management of the company s taxation liability. (C) M / Page 1

2 LGSS Law Ltd At the Forefront of Public Sector Legal Services Reporting 10. To prepare business/service plans and strategies and prepare monthly Performance Reports and ad hoc reports, which feed into the Annual Performance Report. This will include the preparation of data, as well as input into the drafting of elements of plans and dissemination, as required. 11. To prepare monthly management accounts for the Legal Management Team with commentary and Financial forecasting 12. To undertake monthly financial reporting, including, but not limited to: a. VAT returns b. PAYE payment reconciliation c. Trial Balance, Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet Reports d. Management Reports, Cash Flows, Balance Sheet Recognition 13. To report to the COFA as required and provide advice in their absence. Management/Development 14. To manage and supervise all accounts staff in accordance with prevailing policies. 15. To assist the Director of LGSS Law Ltd with strategic financial management of the team including monitoring the budget, performance and risk management of the team and managing and monitoring the performance of staff and suppliers to LGSS Law Ltd. Manage, monitor and regularly review budget information on behalf of the Director of LGSS Law Ltd. 16. To support the Director of LGSS Law Ltd and the management team in relation to business planning by reviewing and analysing information, embedding actions arising from business processes, producing billing information, analysing hourly rates and recovery and drafting reports as necessary. 17. Participate in the LGSS Law Management Team meetings, make recommendations and contribute to the decision-making process and overall management of LGSS Law Ltd. 18. TO ensure that LGSS Law Ltd maintains statutory, regulatory and business insurances, together with professional memberships of staff, as required by the SRA, Bar Council and Cilex. 19. To take overall management of LGSS Law Ltd s bank accounts, HMRC returns, debt recovery and all other financial regulatory requirements. General 20. Demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people s behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs. 21. Ensure that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of everyone, and to monitor and ensure compliance with the policies and procedures relating to health and safety within LGSS Law Ltd. To carry out other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of the job description and which are commensurate with the grade of the post. This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder. (C) M / Page 2

3 PERSON SPECIFICATION POSITION: PRACTICE MANAGER (FINANCE) REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF LGSS LAW LTD SERVICE: LGSS LAW LTD DIRECTORATE, OFFICE: PRACTICE MANAGEMENT GRADE: MB4 LOCATION: CAMBRIDGE, NORTHAMPTON AND HUNTINGDON The following criteria are appropriate for this post. You must meet the essential criteria in order to be shortlisted for the post and it would be advantageous if you meet the desirable criteria. QUALIFICATIONS Qualification in accountancy Educated to degree level or equivalent Management qualification Practice Management qualification KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE Experience of working in a legal practice, managing the financial procedures and processes of the practice. Detailed knowledge of the Solicitors Accounts Rules. Experience of managing an accounts team. Experience of legal financial software and case management systems. Experience of ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements, including VAT, Payroll and corporation or partnership tax. Experience of working for a multi-locational legal practice. Experience of working with public sector/not-for-profit clients. (C) M / Page 3

4 SKILLS Ability to work under own initiative where required, and to look ahead, anticipate challenges and deal with them pro-actively. Ability to work under pressure with large volumes of work and meet tight deadlines Attention to detail and ability to assimilate a large amount of information quickly and accurately. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a diverse range of persons/organisations. Excellent interpersonal skills that promote open and constructive relations with colleague and clients. Excellent customer service skills. A commitment to customer focus and continuing service improvement. Ability to identify needs, priorities and goals independently. Drive, enthusiasm, versatility and self-motivation. Ability to work closely with colleagues, as part of a team. Ability to plan and prioritise work effectively with excellent personal time management and to meet tight deadlines along with own objectives and those of the team. Ability to adapt to change. Flexible approach to working with the ability to work in offices in various locations as required. Excellent IT skills including knowledge of:- Microsoft Office Bespoke software including legal accounting software and performance and case management systems. Ability to demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people s behavioural, physical, social and welfare needs. Flexibility with office hours, working to the demands of the job. A commitment to Lexcel and practice management standards. Ability to express creative proposals for continuous improvement of services A creative approach to problem solving. (C) M / Page 4

5 Ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of, and commitment to, health and safety. BEHAVIOURS Working Together I look for ways to maximise the value of working together, building support behind the scenes for changes to delivery and providing focus and direction in delivering to joint outcomes I show a close interest in all the services that my Service is designed to maintain Integrity I think creatively, offering original solutions outside of conventional expectations I take responsibility for actions I actively seek feedback about my Service and make it accountable Respect for Others I identify areas for development in meeting all customers and colleagues expectations I innovate within my sphere of influence to change others behaviours and the use of resources for the better Excellence I manage change effectively I design, innovate and influence best practice in the work of my team, contractors, partners and myself (C) M / Page 5