Finance Director
Heart of England
A package to attract the best
An exciting opportunity to join Howes Percival, a leading regional law firm, as Finance Director.
Details about the Client
Howes Percival is a regional heavyweight commercial law firm operating across the heartland of England with offices in Cambridge, Leicester, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Norwich.
The firm has undergone unprecedented expansion in the last 2 years, entering the Cambridge market for the first time, completing a major investment in premises and staff in Milton Keynes and moving its teams into new state-of-the-art premises in Norwich and Northampton. Howes Percival has the expertise and resources usually associated with much larger national and City firms and provides top-quality legal services to businesses and individuals. In the 2016 edition of the Legal 500, the authoritative guide to the UK's leading law firms, Howes Percival was awarded top tier ranking in 11 specialisms. The firm was also shortlisted for ‘Regional Law Firm of the Year' at the Lawyer Awards 2016.
The firm prides itself on its agility and the energetic, commercial expertise of its lawyers. They have a unique, inclusive approach to work and clear, well defined values that help set it apart. Howes Percival values excellent client relationships and invests time and resources in understanding clients, sectors and client expectations. Work is conducted efficiently, seamlessly and with excellence as standard.
Detailed Job Description
You will report to and work with the board, currently of 4 partners, and take responsibility for managing the firm's financial affairs. The role could be based out of any of Howes Percival's offices (Cambridge, Leicester, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton or Norwich) however, as it will involve travel across the office network a central location would be practical. Your responsibilities will include:
- Providing leadership to the finance function, ensuring proper accounting practices, governance and control processes are in place
- Working alongside the board to develop and deliver strategy
- Involvement with commercial decision making; providing advice on pricing and tenders
- Acting as a trusted advisor to the firm's teams to help drive business performance
- Keeping abreast of market trends to help identify business opportunities
- Acting as COFA
You will build relationships and take on responsibilities in other areas of the firm's operations including BD, HR, IT and facilities. All of these areas have directors or managers in situ, but the right candidate will be the linchpin of the firm's operational structure. This is a critical role for Howes Percival. It offers the chance to influence at the highest level and play a key role in the ongoing growth and success of the firm.
Candidate's Profile
You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA or ACCA) with a successful track record in senior leadership roles, ideally within the professional services sector. In addition to being a well-rounded and technically sound accountant you will be commercially aware and able to contribute to the profitable growth of the firm. It is expected that you will reflect and contribute to the values of Howes Percival and be enthusiastic, collegiate and open to new ideas. The role requires an individual with gravitas and intellect, capable of supporting and challenging partners. You must possess strong influencing skills and be able to win people over.
What's on offer
A package to attract the best.
Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.
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