Finance Operations Manager

London, England, United Kingdom

12/24/2024

Schillings handles high stakes situations for our international clientele; high profile and successful people, companies and other organisations across the world. The high stakes situations they face affect their reputations, their privacy and their security, both digital and physical. That is why we apply a particular focus to protecting these three assets. The high stakes situations present both threats that need to be mitigated, and opportunities to be taken.

We believe everyone has a right to fair treatment of their reputation, to a reasonable expectation of privacy and to feel safe.

Uniquely, Schillings combines five capabilities under one roof to handle these high stakes situations: intelligence, law, communications, security and diplomacy. Our experts contribute to this multidisciplinary mix, or they are in the business support teams that reinforce that mission: marketing, HR, finance, risk and compliance and client services.

Because we are a growth business, opportunities appear in all areas and at all levels. We have the largest team of specialist lawyers in the world, an expanding Intelligence & Investigations team, a growing Critical Risks unit, an evolving Digital Resilience practice, and a new communications agency – Schillings Communications – that will grow significantly in the next three years.

Schillings is a collaborative, fun and welcoming place to work, with a positive culture, strong values and a developed service ethic. We require commitment, diligence, agility and professionalism, and in return provide competitive packages and incredibly stimulating and interesting work. We are committed to sharing learning and creating development opportunities so you can progress your career with us. Our people's career trajectory and longevity at Schillings is a good example of this: a third of our people have been at the business for over five years. Join us and become part of our story.

Job Title: Finance Operations Manager

Reporting to: Head of Finance

Job Purpose:

The Finance Operations Manager will manage the revenue, billing and purchase ledger functions at Schillings. Your priority is to drive improvements to all the operational business functions in the Finance department including the revenue/billing/cash collection function, the supplier payments, client accounting and disbursements. Leading projects to implement new software, automate and improve the efficiency of existing processes will form a big part of this role. You will help manage the Finance team, providing support to the wider business including the Head of Finance, COFO and Partners.

Role Accountabilities:

• Lead projects to review all our systems and processes in the billing and credit control function, and the payment function, recommending improvements or additional investment in technology where required.
• Supervise the teams responsible for the firm's working capital covering WIP, billing and collections. This involves:
• regularly reviewing the financial balances on clients' files and ensuring your team holds regular meetings with partners and matter managers.
• Weekly forecast meetings are held with the Head of Finance, with variances explained, and targets set for the week ahead.
• Creating and circulating the daily performance report.
• Oversee the purchase ledger function, ensuring timely and accurate processing of supplier invoices and payments. You will ensure compliance with company policies and procedure. Provide accurate and timely daily capacity reporting to Partners.
• Respond to ad hoc reporting requests of the business where necessary, including reporting on key and crown jewel clients.
• Ensure we are obtaining the best results from the firm's practice management system (i.e. Peppermint) and lead the team seeking to leverage additional benefits from it.
• Ensure the right system controls and security are in place to allow users of the system to perform their roles effectively, without compromising security or processes.
• Supporting the Head of Finance & COFO in integrating the finance functions of any successful acquisitions/new ventures. Supervision of all client accounting, including liaising with the bank where necessary, preparation of bank reconciliations, interest payments, transfers, and counsel disbursements to ensure compliance with the SRA standards.
• Maintaining and improving the provision of management information through optimising the implementation of PowerBI, or other new software products.
• Support the Head of Finance in working with the Head of Risk and Compliance and the Head of HR to help train all staff in relation to financial procedures to ensure compliance.
• Overseeing the external audit & SRA audit, including preparation of all information and requests relating to clients, billing, cash collection and the purchase ledger. Reviewing all returns to the Solicitors Regulation Authority and agreeing potential breaches with the auditors.
• Ensure best in class financial controls and reconciliations are operated within the finance function where required.
• Ensure the quarterly submission of our VAT returns.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• 9+ years of experience with relevant qualification and experience in a similar role to Schillings Finance Operations Manager position.
• Experience successfully introducing new and improved processes and technologies to refine financial operations.
• Experience in the professional services sector, where time recorded = revenue, is beneficial.
• Logical, with excellent organisational skills and good with numbers.
• Good team working skills at all levels of interaction. Great interpersonal and communication skills both upward and to the team.
• The ability to manage others to meet high quality expectations and deadlines. Prior team management experience is essential.
• Self-disciplined with attention to detail, and ability to self-review.
• The ability to work to daily, monthly and annual deadlines, and report progress upwards.
• A positive and driven attitude which focuses on output, rather than time at the desk.
• A detailed knowledge of SRA Accounts rules and firm's Anti Money Laundering and KYC processes is advantageous though not essential.
• Advanced in using Excel to reconcile, summarise and analyse data efficiently.
• Self-motivated to deliver and add value wherever appropriate.
• Emotionally intelligent and takes the wellbeing of others seriously.
• Exhibits Schillings values of 'Innovative; Bold; United; and Excellent'.
  
  

Life at Schillings

Given our audacious (and successful) business strategy, it is not surprising that Schillings has a very strong culture. The atmosphere is highly collaborative and focused on excellence. We have worked hard over the years to develop a coaching culture and are remarkably non-hierarchical, especially given our roots as a law firm. Schillings has adopted a set of values to put at the heart of this change and they reflect the intention and tenor of our ambitious plans. They are: 'Innovative; Bold; United; and Excellent'. Our client list speaks for the outstanding results that have been delivered over many years and the task now is to grow without losing any of the commitment to delivering for clients or the service ethos. Finding people who share our values and can thrive in this environment is key to our success.

It takes a unique mix of people to create something truly great. We appreciate that diversity of thought, background and culture creates the best environment to truly innovate, solve problems and achieve our goals. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds – if you are driven and want to achieve your best then we will give you the platform and support to succeed.

Please let us know if there are any extenuating circumstances we should consider, or any adjustments we may need to make to our selection process, when making your application.

Find our candidate privacy notice here, Candidate Privacy Notice (schillingspartners.com)