Overview:

Our client is a blue chip service provider based in the City of London.  With some internal moves taking place, and to support further growth, a new position exists as Senior Finance Business Partner to provide a robust and timely view of the financial performance of the company and to support investment business cases.

Duties include:

• Oversight of preparation and analysis of monthly management reporting


• Undertake financial analysis of business performance and take appropriate action on business critical issues


• Implement analysis and reporting of portfolio and product profitability


• Build and develop effective working relationships with internal and external customers


• Work with board members and Heads of Function to understand the business activities and plans.


• Understand the market drivers to ensure a meaningful and realistic budget is achieved for the function


• Prepare investment business cases to support investment proposals


• Review “what if” analysis for project proposals to help business managers to prioritise activities and make appropriate financial decisions. 


• Critically appraise project proposals and business cases and provide relevant financial support and information.

Person specification:

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA) or MBA and hold 2-4 years post qualified experience in a business partnering role.

Our client is a blue chip service provider based in the City of London.  With some internal moves taking place and in order to support further growth, a new position exists as Head of Commercial Finance to lead and counsel the business to ensure it achieves its overall strategic objectives.

Duties include:

• Interact with senior managers to provide strategic support to business initiatives through financial reports, analysis and recommendations, giving strategic guidance to managers on financial policies and procedures


• Oversight of the preparation and analysis of monthly management reporting


• Lead the forecasting and annual budgeting process in line business requirements


• Develop and enhance management reporting information and KPI’s/business drivers


• Financial modelling of new programme models and revenue streams in order to understand and inform pricing and costs


• As an integral part of the senior management team, contribute to the strategic direction of the business


• Work with Group M&A team to take responsibility for all financial aspects of acquisition and integration


• Ongoing coaching and management of your team with an aim of developing a highly motivated and appropriately skilled department, including the identification of training and development requirements

Person specification:

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA) or MBA and hold significant post qualified experience in a commercially driven finance role.

Reporting directly to a Head of Finance in this £150 million turnover on-line retailer, the Management Accountant will oversee the day to day running of finance with a team of four part qualified accountants,  ensuring business requirements are met as well as the personal development of the team.  With a global reach and with European owners, this role offers variety and scope to develop long term into a Senior Finance Manager role on a permanent basis.

Responsible for:

• Preparation of monthly management accounts including returns, accruals and monitoring key trends.


• Prepare budget and forecast packs to be completed by Leadership Team and consolidation of all returns to facilitate a company-wide review by the FC; FD and the Board.


• Reviewing Management Accounts draft, in particular key underlying working papers.


• Reviewing balance sheet schedules with a specific focus on stock integrity including daily/weekly analysis of any SHS/DD stock.


• Checking and authorising all financial transactions to be posted in Dynamics by the management accounts team.


• Preparing information for monthly review of the Corporate / Finance / HR overhead departments and exception reporting for key variances.


• Prepare Cognos annual budget and quarterly forecast packs for upload to Aurelius within the timeframe required.


• Review of cash daily collections prior to distribution to FC / FD.


• Preparation of 12 week trade payments forecast


• Preparation of Statutory Accounts calculations to support the annual report.


• Responsibility to close and prepare all auditor requests as part of the annual review.

The successful applicant will be a recently qualified (CIMA/ACCA) forward thinking accountant with experience gained in a retail/stock environment. A strong supervisor of people is also required together with a good level of Excel and accounting systems.

Our client, a highly commercial City Law Firm with an international network of offices, have an opportunity for an experienced Partnership Accountant to join their busy finance team. 

The successful applicant will work closely with the firms Tax Accountant and Senior Management Accountant, and will be responsible for the reporting and accounting of profit, partner payments and tax reserves in a complex multi-jurisdictional environment. 

This opportunity is initially available on a fixed term contract basis, with the potential for this to convert to permanent later in the year.

Duties include: 

• Responsible for maintaining the financial matters of the partners, ensuring that monthly and quarterly payments are made on time and are correctly stated in the accounting system.


• Responsible for maintaining key financial models that calculate numbers for all of the partners across all offices (e.g. capital, interest and drawings models)


• Preparation of partner distribution statements.


• Preparation of illustrative cash flow statements for lateral hire partners and retiring partners.


• Preparation of year end journals for profit allocation, tax and capital build.


• Maintaining the capital and interest model for all partners.


• Calculating capital projections for all partners.


• Review of current working processes and procedures. 

*Full job description available on request 

Person specification:

• Qualified Accountant with prior experience within a similar role


• Legal sector background desirable, or other professional service sector


• Strong written and verbal communication skills


• Proactive approach to work


• Proficient in use of Excel (financial modelling skills)

An excellent opportunity has arisen to join a high profile UK law firm in a key management role within their finance team. 

Heading up the firms Legal Cashiering and AP function, the successful applicant will manage a team of 5, including supervising the day to day responsibilities of the team and developing team members. Previous supervisory experience within a legal accounts environment is essential. 

Shortlisted applicants will have a strong background within legal cashiering, with up to date knowledge of the SAR regulations. The role will involve hands-on cashiering activities and requires an individual with strong organisational skills. 

Duties include: 

• Ensuring the department and the firm complies with the relevant legislation including SARs and the firm's own policies and procedures.


• Supervise and engage in the day-to-day client account transactions including making and posting payments and receipts, daily bank reconciliations, interest allocation and opening of client accounts.


• Supervise, support and control the day-to-day office processing functions (primarily accounts payable and staff expenses) and ensure transactions are posted and settled promptly and correctly. 


• Ensure VAT accounted for correctly and key reconciliations performed.


• Supervise and review the workloads and output of the team.


• Motivate and develop the team. Conduct performance management, including annual and interim appraisals. Handle and resolve all basic team issues 

*Full job description available on request 

Person specification: 

• Strong background within legal cashiering with up to date knowledge of SAR regulations


• Previous supervisory/management experience


• Excellent communication skills


• Highly organised and able to coordinate/delegate a varied workload


• Experience of appraising and developing staff

Our client, an innovative mid-sized law firm, is looking to recruit a Legal Cashier to join their busy Cashiering team, managing the matter-related invoices, recharges and payments.

Reporting to the Financial Controller, the successful candidate will have worked within the Office Account team of a law firm, will have a strong work ethic and a keen eye for detail.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an international law firm going through a period of growth, and be part of a friendly yet hard-working team. You will also gain experience on a market leading legal accounts software package.

Duties include:

• Ensuring fee notes for Counsel and Expert are accurately recorded on client matters without delay


• Ensuring all invoices are supported with documentation and required approval


• Issuing ad-hoc cheque requests on the firms Office account


• Recharging of all patent account charges


• Reconciling supplier account statements


• Initiating payments to suppliers by various means to include cheques, BACS and international wire transfers


• Ensuring compliance with the SAR’s


• Proactive management of aged suppliers

*Full job description available on request

Person specification:

• Experienced Accounts Payable/Office Cashier from the Legal sector


• Up to date knowledge of the Solicitors Accounts rules


• Mature, ambitious and flexible in attitude and approach to work

Please note, due to high levels of response to our adverts it is regrettably not possible for Balance Recruitment to respond to every application. If you have not been contacted within 5 working days by one of our consultants, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Global IT Solutions business is currently seeking a Sourcing Manager - Telecoms (Network) to be based in their North London operation.

The Telecoms Sourcing team operate in a demanding, challenging environment with the objective of delivering results and success for the business. You will be a self-starter/motivated individual with relevant procurement experience in a similar environment.

Role Content:

• Drive sourcing strategy for telecoms category spend


• Responsible for senior level contact with telecom suppliers


• Lead negotiations for telecoms agreements


• Cultivate and develop internal and external relationships


• Support bid teams


• Drive best value and cost reduction through bench marking and by holding regular reviews with suppliers

It’s imperative you have extensive experience, procuring the following: Lan/Wan Circuits, Voice, Data, Dark Fibre Links and Mobile Airtime.

Our client, a rapidly expanding US law firm in London, is recruiting for a newly created Accounts Manager role to oversee the finance function through a period of growth.

This is a unique, exciting role which will require someone with all-round knowledge of Legal Accounts and experience with reviewing systems, processes and procedures in accordance with the SAR’s.

This role offers fantastic career progression as there will be a need to assemble a team in the future.

Duties include:

• Overall supervision of accounting function


• Prepare monthly/quarterly Management Accounts


• Prepare monthly cash flow report


• Generate monthly performance reports


• Overseeing Office and Client account, in compliance with the Solicitors Accounts Rules


• Preparing Billing and WIP analysis for lawyers and managing agreed rates with key clients


• Posting approved bills and manage time transfers/write-offs


• Discuss unpaid bills with lawyers and follow up with agreed clients


• Preparation and posting of opening/closing year end journals


• Collation of Half Year and Year end reports for the Annual Audit


• Ad hoc project management and implementation as required

*Full job description available on request

Person specification:

• Experienced Accounts Manager from US law firm desirable


• Up to date knowledge of the Solicitors Accounts rules


• Strong knowledge of all aspects of the Finance function

Please note, due to high levels of response to our adverts it is regrettably not possible for Balance Recruitment to respond to every application. If you have not been contacted within 5 working days by one of our consultants, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Our client, a top 50 UK law firm with a large international client base, is recruiting a Billing/Revenue Controller to assist with the detailed billing of clients and to carry out WIP reviews with an assigned portfolio of partners to encourage frequent billing.

This role offers excellent career development and will be placed within a fast-paced yet friendly team within a forward thinking law firm with a sterling reputation in the market. Shortlisted applicants will have solid billing experience and be looking to develop Revenue Controller responsibilities.

Duties include:

• Reviewing draft bills to check that bills complies with internal, HMRC and law society guidelines


• Carry out WIP reviews with fee earners to to encourage frequent billing and deal with any WIP management tasks


• Setting up and processing bills through the Elite accounting system


• Processing partial and full credit notes


• Submission of e-bills through client specified specialist vendor websites


• Producing final version bills for distribution by the fee earners to the clients or bill payer

*Full job description available on request

Person specification:

• Must have previous billing experience within professional services firm


• Strong written and verbal communication skills


• Confident and credible liaising at Partner level


• Experience of Elite and Whitehill desirable


• Experience of ebilling systems desirable

Please note, due to high levels of response to our adverts it is regrettably not possible for Balance Recruitment to respond to every application. If you have not been contacted within 5 working days by one of our consultants, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Our client, a medium-sized law firm based in the West End, has a fantastic opportunity for an Accounts Assistant to join their busy Finance team.  Reporting to the Accounts Manager, the main aspect of the role will be a blend of Legal Cashiering and Billing, with some progressive exposure to Management Accounts tasks.  This is the perfect role for an AAT/ACCA studier who is looking to further their career in Legal Finance.

Duties include:

• Dealing with bank and petty cash reconciliations


• Cheque processing and bank transfers


• Bill raising and posting


• Processing of nominal ledger and expense postings


• Involvement in management and financial accounting tasks


• Involvement in the budgeting process and monitoring


• Production of ad hoc reports

*Full job description available on request

Person specification:

• Must have previous experience in Legal Finance environment


• Extremely driven and desire to grow within a role


• Determined, confident and flexible approach


• Preferably started AAT/ACCA

Please note, due to high levels of response to our adverts it is regrettably not possible for Balance Recruitment to respond to every application. If you have not been contacted within 5 working days by one of our consultants, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

An excellent opportunity has arisen to join one of the world’s most respected Law Firms, joining their experience finance systems team in a position offering a varied workload and great scope for development.

The successful applicant will be working as part of a team supporting the firms finance systems, assisting back office and fee earning staff with queries and providing advice and solutions. Those shortlisted for interview will have previous experience working within a finance systems team for a professional services firm.

Duties include:

• Providing support to a variety of user issues, providing solutions and escalating where required in order to provide an effective helpdesk function


• Acting as an intermediary between the finance support and IT technical support functions, providing technical and process advice with regards to all of the global and London based finance support IT systems.


• Liaising directly with the PMS third party suppliers documenting and implementing fixes as appropriate.


• Assisting with the implementation of new upgrades, functionality and system wide changes.


• Monitoring the reporting system.


• Aiding in the design, testing and rollout of new reports, systems and interfaces.


• Involvement in other related projects that the wider team are undertaking

 Person specification:

• Previous experience within a similar role within a professional services firm


• Strong written and verbal communication skills


• Good understanding of accounting and billing/revenue procedures


• Advanced Excel, and highly computer literature

A rapidly growing commercial law firm is currently recruiting for a senior member of their finance team and are seeking an individual with a strong accounting background and strengths in analysis/commercial projects.

Leading a management information team of three, the successful applicant will be responsible for the production of the firm’s management and financial accounts, internal and external reporting and playing a key role in the more commercially led reporting and analytical projects/ad hoc report requirements from the business.

The successful applicant will be highly visible across the firm, working closely with senior stakeholders across Fee Earning and business support functions to deliver a high value service and to help the firm achieve its strategic goals.

Duties include:

• Working closely with the Head of Finance to produce timely and accurate financial and management information


• Driving the development of the team both by using the firm's career framework and day-to-day mentoring


• Preparation and submission of all relevant statutory and regulatory accounts returns and other tax accounting requirements


• Liaison with clients and external agencies e.g. National Statistics Office, HMRC, banks, suppliers and auditors


• Working with the Head of Finance to develop and deliver a comprehensive programme of focussed analysis of business performance and profitability reporting for individual practice groups, clients and work types with analysis and commentary


• Working with Heads of Legal departments to focus on key profitability drivers


• Producing tendering and pricing models


• Working closely with project managers and the business analyst to drive projects supporting the Firm's business plans

Person specification:

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with solid post qualification experience

Able to manage and influence senior stakeholders

Legal sector or other Professional Services industry experience

Strong reporting and compliance background

A blue chip electronic payment gateway provider, are embarking on a Finance Systems project to review their billing and collections system. 

They are therefore looking to hire a qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) Systems Accountant to act as the interface between finance and IT and work with the implementation consultants during the build process.

The required system will need to be multi-currency and meet the capabilities required of a European billing system. BACs / SEPA direct debit implementation will be part of the work required. 

The role will focus on the selection and implementation of the system from a finance perspective – the UK and Irish customers would be migrated to the system and new customers taken on in the new territories, the first of which would be Germany, Spain and France.

Timing of the system replacement will be August / September 2012- work has commenced but will need to be completed , suppliers identified and demonstrations arranged in quite a short space of time.

The successful applicant will be expected to champion the selection and implementation on behalf of finance working closely with IT and the commercial development team.

In addition the business has a need for a new financial system – this is another project that the systems accountant will be expected to work on but does not have the same urgency as the first.

The ideal candidate will have worked in a financial function with an abundance of financial systems and ideally billing systems selection and implementation experience. A background in payment processing would be advantageous.

A well known city based Financial Services Group is looking to hire a Financial Reporting Accountant to provide technical accounting assistance to the Group Financial Controller.

 Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Drafting of financial regulatory returns ensuring that all returns are completed accurately, in a timely manner and in accordance with best practice, prior to final review by senior management


• Produce monthly consolidated financial statements as required within the Group structure on timetable and in accordance with best practice


• Ensure that year-end accounting records supporting consolidations are complete prior to audit and provide any additional schedules/assistance to the auditors as agreed in respect of the Group


• Prepare financial reporting requirements for the ultimate parent entity on a timely basis


• Ensure that all technical accounting issues arising within the Group are addressed in a timely manner and liaise with internal/external parties as appropriate

• Analysis for group business projects

Experience & skills required:

• Financial statements production in accordance with UK GAAP


• Experience of a regulated environment and requirement to file FSA returns


• Experience of a group environment


• Newly qualified/part-qualified financial accountant


• Up-to-date technical knowledge of relevant accounting standards and best practice


• Consolidation knowledge


• Advanced spreadsheet skills for detailed analysis and presentation of summary schedules


• Analytical skills as well as an eye for detail.

Our client, an international law firm with 12 offices globally, is looking to recruit an Accounts Assistant to support the busy Finance team.

Reporting to the Accounts Manager, the successful candidate will the main point of contact for all Accounts Payable transactions and queries, whilst also dealing with staff expenses and Direct Debits.

This is an excellent opportunity to take the next step in your Legal Finance career, whilst gaining experience at a well recognised law firm.

Duties include:

• Processing all Office vendor invoices through Elite, then paying via cheque or BACS


• Processing of taxi, courier and catering invoices


• Reconciling and entering Direct Debits and standing Orders


• Processing of foreign payments via online banking


• Processing staff expenses via BACS


• Distributing and posting petty cash


• Any other adhoc requests

*Full job description available on request

Person specification:

• Experience in similar role within a law firm


• Knowledge of Solicitors Accounts Rules


• Strong communication skills


• Helpful and approachable manner

Please note, due to high levels of response to our adverts it is regrettably not possible for Balance Recruitment to respond to every application. If you have not been contacted within 5 working days by one of our consultants, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

An opportunity has arisen to lead and develop the Finance function with a team of ten in this established and high growth on-line retailer.  This role would suite someone from either a digital/on-line background and/or a retail business with a strong on-line presence and offers a broad Head of Finance role with a high level of autonomy across the business.

Key Deliverables:

• Maintain accurate financial records

• Produce UK statutory accounts


• Report IFRS results to Group

• Preparation of robust monthly flash results and accounts on a timely basis


• Production of a monthly operating pack for presentation to Board and to Group


• Challenge the business to ensure that appropriate cost control is exercised


• Provide information to assist improved buying and gross margin achievement


• Manage the annual budget and quarterly forecast processes

• Maintain a high standard of financial control to support a “no surprises” culture


• Review key operational procedures and recommend enhancements to ensure that the finance systems keep pace with operational changes

• Work with retail department to ensure currency exposure is minimised


• Manage company procurement guidelines and submissions for weekly cash committee meetings

• Manage commercial projects

 The successful candidate will be a bright, high calibre finance professional excited by the opportunity to join a dynamic business as it enters a period of significant growth

 The individual will be a qualified accountant with strong academic record and extensive post-qualification experience (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) across a wide range of finance disciplines. Retail and importing experience is required.

Our client, an award-winning large international law firm based in Central London, is looking to recruit a Billing Assistant to join their busy Finance team. This is a great opportunity to be a part of one of London’s highest profile law firms.

Reporting to the Billing Supervisor, you will be responsible for producing billing guides and draft bills, whilst supporting the firm with all billing queries and VAT issues. Previous Legal Billing experience is essential.

Duties include:

• Provide accurate advice on billing queries, procedures and VAT issues


• Ensure bills are sent out and filed promptly


• Raising billing guides, draft bills and finalising bills


• Reconciliation of Hours Billed Database to accounting system


• Dealing with billing related queries


• Raising apportioned billing schedules and ad hoc billing schedules in Excel


• General matter maintenance

*Full job description available on request

Person specification:

• Proven legal finance experience


• Understanding of foreign currency issues


• Experience of apportionment, net recovery and joint billing


• Team player


• Enthusiastic

A rare opportunity has arisen to join a well respected UK Law Firm in a sole responsibility Legal Billing role. 

Based in the West End, the firm have a finance team of approx 13 staff and offer a generous benefits package and team focussed working environment. They are seeking an experienced Legal Biller with existing knowledge of Elite software. As the stand alone biller, this is a great opportunity for someone looking for increased responsibility and to take a step up in their career.

Duties include:

-Day to day billing responsibility for the firm

-Ensuring compliance with firm policy & procedure, including VAT regulations and SRA

-Issuing credit notes

-Matter maintenance, write offs & transfers.

-Handling billing and credit note queries from Fee Earners and secretaries

-Assisting Revenue Controller as required

Person specification:

-Solid career history within Legal Billing

-Previous/recent experience using Elite

-Strong organisational skills

-Team player with a proactive approach to work

A rapid growth technology start up business in its fifth year of trading is looking to hire a finance and commercial heavyweight to lead and inspire growth throughout EMEA.  The business has an impressive list of technology and start up awards behind them as-well as an impressive list of existing clients, many of which represent the world’s most successful brands.

The role will be challenging, requiring a qualified accountant equally at home in the detail as he/she is dealing with Investors/Advisors. The right candidate will relish this opportunity to be the right hand person to the CEO and will be seeking a high profile, highly accountable opportunity.

Candidates will have senior level experience, preferably in a growth business and must come from a multimedia/technology environment. Experience of working on an international basis will also be beneficial and previous exposure to investors/banks will be strongly advantageous.

The ideal candidate must be prepared to roll their sleeves up and get involved in the detailed financial issues of the company, as well as working with the CEO on strategy and growth plans.

A blue chip business with over 100 years of trading is diversifying and growing its business portfolio and subsequently going through a period of transformation and change.  With a new venture forecasted to overtake the revenue’s of the core business within three years this role will offer not only a Senior Manager’s position within this corporate, but the chance to evolve the role and its responsibilities at rapid pace.

They are seeking a Head of Financial Reporting to lead a team of 26 with three direct reports during this period of re-structure and change. 

Key deliverables:

Ownership of the Group cost base and Financial reporting under UK GAAP

Experience with change management or business transformation projects
• Owning IT transfer charging and upgrade processes within SAP
• Management and maintenance of key stakeholder relationships internally and externally.
• Owning numerous key initiatives across the wider business, including cost management and reporting integrations projects
• Delivering financial budgets, forecasts and monthly reporting.
• Accountability for team development and maintenance; leading, motivating and appraising team members.

The successful applicant will be CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualified with vast experience within Group Financial Reporting; managing large teams in Financial Control and reporting and preferably a good level experience with SAP.  Experience within a shared service environment would also be an advantage.

One of the world’s largest and most innovative Law Firms is currently recruiting for a Senior Commercial Accountant to join the firm in a key senior role, with a heavy influence on the firms procurement and business service functions.

Shortlisted applicants will have a strong commercial accounting background, with strengths in stakeholder, staff, and supplier management. The successful applicant will have exposure to procurement services, having a clear understanding of the standards of service/delivery to be expected from supplier agreements and ensuring a strong governance framework is in place.

The role oversees a large spend figure on functions such as property, facilities, IT, telco, finance, HR, marketing and risk, and will involve management of a broad range of stakeholders and third party suppliers. There is great scope to drive value from this whilst ensuring quality of service is not compromised, and the successful applicant will relish this challenge.

Duties include:

• To build and develop strategies for effective management of the individual functions, advising them of the implications for cost/investment and supporting them in ways to optimise delivery of those strategies.


• To manage the delivery of procurement services from the firms external provider. Ensuring that business services functions receive a premium service in line with service level agreements.


• Driving contract management/compliance and supplier performance management.


• To lead and develop the Business Partnering function, ensuring that the team have strong leadership and are effectively managed day to day, raising performance levels and developing innovative solutions and approaches to your work.


• Proactively driving business analysis to understand the drivers of cost for each overhead function.


• Identifying areas of opportunity and risk, influencing stakeholders to ensure the business is focussed on harvesting opportunities and mitigating risks.


• Developing and presenting commercial and strategic business cases for the business functions and firm wide investments.   

Person specification:

Qualified accountant with solid post qualification experience in a commercial role

Able to manage and influence senior stakeholders

Exposure to procurement services, supplier contracts and SLA’s

Highly organised with a proactive approach

A career enhancing opportunity has arisen within the finance systems teams of one of the UK’s leading law firms. This is a rare opportunity not to be missed!

Joining an experienced team, you will be given broad ranging exposure to a variety of finance systems, and be involved with a number of ongoing and future projects. The firms practice management system is Elite Enterprise.

Shortlisted applicants will need to have some prior exposure to working within a finance systems team, either on a project or full time basis. Strong technical skills are essential, with advanced Excel and basic SQL knowledge, together with a good understanding of accounting processes.

Duties include:

• First Line support for all finance systems, this is primarily Elite Enterprise and Webview, but also includes billing, collections and banking systems.


• Elite Administration - Creation of new users and security profiles, Extend events, Masterfile maintenance (in conjunction with the Billing Team) and general system setups.


• Be the central point for Elite Paperless Proforma and Whitehill templates.


• Ad Hoc financial reporting utilising SQL, Excel, SSRS and newly implemented BI Solution


• Maintaining both finance systems internal process documentation and user documentation.


• Development and testing of new processes, application of patches and fixes.


• Month-end system procedures, to include system balancing and integrity checks.


• Assist in Finance System projects.

*Full job description available on request

Person specification:

• Previous exposure to finance systems maintenance and support


• Knowledge of Elite Enterprise desirable


• Experience within a professional services firm desirable


• Knowedge of accounting procedures


• Advanced Excel skills


• Clear and confident communication skills

Exclusive Opportunity - our client, a specialist law firm in West London, is looking to recruit a Legal Cashier to work as part of the busy Finance team.

Reporting to the Head of Accounts, the successful candidate will have a varied role, dealing with all aspects of the Office and Client account transactions, whilst dealing with the Accounts Payable and general ledger queries.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone to progress further in a career in Legal Cashiering and to learn all aspects of the role.

Duties include:

- Office and Client Account bank reconciliations

- Office and Client Account receipts

- Printing and distributing cheques

- Submitting TT’s and BACS payments

- Dealing with Deposit Accounts

- Liaising with the bank

- Liaising with partners and fee earners

- Posting and paying supplier invoices

- Inter-account transfers 

*Full job description available on request

Person specification: 

- Legal Accounts experience essential

- Up to date knowledge of the Solicitors Accounts rules

- Strong work ethic

Our client, an innovative mid-sized law firm, is looking to recruit a Revenue Controller to join their busy Revenue Control team, managing WIP and debtors for an assigned practice group.  

The firm have a great reputation within the market, with an international network of offices and an extremely impressive list of clients. You will be the main point of contact for one or more practice areas within the business and will be reporting to the Revenue Control Manager.

This is an exciting opportunity to progress in your Legal Finance career in a thriving law firm. Previous experience within Revenue Control is essential to be considered for this opportunity, including credit control responsibilities.

Duties include:

• Taking ownership of the WIP and disbursement balances for their designated practice areas to ensure this is effectively managed and billed on a timely basis


• Meeting Partners regularly to ensure monthly billing targets are met and to agree appropriate strategies to collect aged and/or difficult debts


• Working with the sub group finance partners to gather accurate billing forecasts


• Proactively chasing clients by telephone and other means to ensure invoices are promptly settled


• Provide clear and concise WIP and debtor reports for partners

*Full job description available on request

Person specification:

• Strong working capital management and credit control experience gained within a law firm


• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels


• Results driven


• Able to work proactively and manage time effectively

Please note, due to high levels of response to our adverts it is regrettably not possible for Balance Recruitment to respond to every application. If you have not been contacted within 5 working days by one of our consultants, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Reporting into the Group Finance Director of this NASDAQ listed technology business, this is a rare and highly commercial opportunity not to be missed.

Role purpose:

To support the Finance Director in the provision of financial management services and commercial partnering support to various stakeholders including Managing Director, Regional Heads of APAC and North
America, Head of Product, EMEA Head of Sales, EMEA Head of Marketing and Group Managing Director. Main responsibilities to include
planning, forecasting and financial analysis of sales, billings, revenues and operating expenses.

Essential functions:

• Drives and supports the financial planning process for various businesses/regions, including development and maintenance of forecasting tools, annual budgets and periodic estimates


• Assists management in measuring its performance against strategic and operational goals including development of meaningful, measurable and informative KPIs


• Support month-end process including operating expenses accruals and management of billings/revenue review


• Conducts deep dive analysis of specifically targeted line items


• Ability to create and analyse trends for billings, revenue, expenses and cash flows


• Works with management to reduce the non-value added costs within its operation


• Aligns finance processes and priorities with those of the business, ensuring adaptability to meet their changing needs

Strong commercial acumen and business partnering skills are required together with the ability to link various systems and data sources to draw conclusions on trends, metrics and risk across global teams in multi time zones.

You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent) or MBA with a solid amount of relevant Financial Analysis experience.

A recently qualified Finance Analyst is required to join a £200 million turnover division of a media PLC. Based in the West End of London this role will support Finance, Operations, Human Resources and project finance on working capital and strategic overhead analysis with an operational focus across the business.

Key outputs:

• Provide Operations month end overheads review and commentary including strategic overhead analysis for quarterly reforecast and budgets


• Co-ordination and analysis of central overhead reporting providing commercial and financial support for HR, legal, finance, pensions and recharges


• Challenging the business to drive down unnecessary expenditure & other cost reduction initiatives


• Provide commercial and financial support for the Op’s Director and teams


• Sense check and monitor the cash and working capital results from a financial and commercial viewpoint


• Monitor the Capex process, including preparation for Capex Committee Meetings, compilation of Capex forecasts and monitoring of actual spend vs. forecast


• Involvement in preparing financials including cash flows of business cases for operations


• Implement process improvements across relevant areas


• To be responsible for maintaining a tight SOX control process within the business

The successful applicant will hold a related degree together with a post graduate finance qualification (CIMA /ACCA /ACA) with knowledge of SAP & Hyperion being an advantage but not essential. Strong excel is essential as is a solid understanding of financial control & reporting

A global communications agency best known for live, experiential marketing are looking to hire a new Commercial Manager to support business growth and the acquisition of two new long term contracts.

The role:

• This is a key senior position working closely with and reporting into, the Commercial Director.


• As part of the Commercial Management Team you will be supported by a team of four Project Accountants.

Requirements and responsibilities include:

• Working closely with Directors, Dept Heads, Account Managers and other project staff, to review the preparation of Client project budgets and to advise best practice whilst ensuring maximum project profitability.


• To liaise with Project Accountants with the ongoing financial status of project budgets/actuals, including analyses of project sales invoicing and cashflow.


• Preparation of ad-hoc financial reports and management information


• To monitor work-in-progress reports and to attend regular WIP review meetings with the Commercial Director


• Preparation of monthly Management Accounts/revenue forecasts and to review/comment to the Commercial Director before final submission to Board


• To create, analyse and comment on fee charging structures and to ensure value for money whilst maintaining target revenue levels.


• To ensure that Account Management are made aware of any potential project budget variances and any potential issues that this may cause


• To assist with the commercial requirements associated with New Business activities of the company


• Create and maintain positive working relationship/s with client Purchasing department

Skills / Knowledge

• Sound financial and commercial skills built from previous experience


• Good IT skills are essential. Strong Excel skills - to macro level would be an advantage as would the use of Rebus


• A sound understanding of how the ‘marketing’ industry generate revenue from projects and how this may be adapted for particular clients/projects


• Excellent inter-personal skills and comfortable dealing with clients and senior internal personnel

Our client, a rapidly growing Top 100 UK Law Firm, is recruiting for a Finance Manager to join their south London office in a No2 role within their finance function.

The role covers a broad range of duties, supporting the Head of Finance to ensure the finance function is running efficiently and striving to continuously improve. The successful applicant will manage the day to day operations of the finance department, leading and developing a team of 8. Previous experience within a similar role is essential.

Duties include:

• Managing the finance team, including training and recruitment


• Supporting the Head of Finance and acting as a key point of contact to Partners


• Ensuring compliance with SARs and Money Laundering regulations


• Review and improvement of internal processes to ensure efficiency and compliance


• Production and analysis of management reporting


• Budget preparation and variance analysis


• VAT returns


• Overseeing all aspects of the billing process


• Overseeing the preparation of bank reconciliations


• Acting as reference point for external advisors


• Involvement in various ad hoc projects

Person specification:

• Qualified or QBE Accountant with proven experience in a similar role


• Self motivated and proactive individual


• Team management experience, able to train and develop staff


• Up-to-date knowledge of SARs and AML compliance


• Strong business acumen

Our client, a rapidly growing Top 100 UK Law Firm, is recruiting for a Finance Manager to join their south London office in a No2 role within their finance function.

The role covers a broad range of duties, supporting the Head of Finance to ensure the finance function is running efficiently and striving to continuously improve. The successful applicant will manage the day to day operations of the finance department, leading and developing a team of 8. Previous experience within a similar role is essential.

Duties include:

• Managing the finance team, including training and recruitment


• Supporting the Head of Finance and acting as a key point of contact to PartnersA


• Ensuring compliance with SARs and Money Laundering regulations


• Review and improvement of internal processes to ensure efficiency and compliance


• Production and analysis of management reporting


• Budget preparation and variance analysis


• VAT returns


• Overseeing all aspects of the billing process


• Overseeing the preparation of bank reconciliations


• Acting as reference point for external advisors


• Involvement in various ad hoc projects

Person specification:

• Qualified or QBE Accountant with proven experience in a similar role


• Self motivated and proactive individual


• Team management experience, able to train and develop staff


• Up-to-date knowledge of SARs and AML compliance


• Strong business acumen

A recently founded and privately backed entertainment business in the heart of the West End is looking to hire their first qualified accountant to manage Finance, Planning and Analysis. With a current turnover of £2 million in 6 months of trading and a forecast of £8 million for 2012, this role will evolve quickly into that of Finance Director and will build a team around it.

With existing partnerships with the likes of Warner Brothers and Paramount and an impressive list of blue chip sales channels, this business forecasts growth to £20million by 2014.

Main responsibilities:

• Ensure monthly accounts are reconciled and signed off


• Management of all HMRC and VAT statements


• Management of monthly/quarterly planning, budgeting and forecasting


• Provide P&L analysis, quarterly reports and daily/weekly/monthly sales reports.


• Ensure royalty reports are delivered within an accurate and timely manner


• Review and update current IT and accountancy systems

The ideal candidate will possess an accountancy qualification (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with experience in royalty based accounting principles. Strong systems experience (particularly excel to macro and access) is essential and the ability to work at a ‘hands on’ level with sights on rapid growth.

Supporting the Divisional Managing Director of this £20 million turnover Business Unit, the Finance Director will support and challenge the business whilst managing Financial Control and Reporting. This involves the Financial Planning and Analysis for the business unit including accurate reporting of monthly management accounts, forecasts and budgets together with appropriate statistical and cost analysis.

This role will manage and develop a team of qualified and part qualified accountants and will comply with the wider group function in line with IFRS reporting and Information Technology requirements.

Experience required:
You will be a qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with between 5-8 years relevant post qualification experience in an SME or a division of a blue chip. The ability to manage and lead a team and drive growth is essential as is the ability to provide the ‘interface’ between departments in the business unit and the wider group.

A world renowned and much loved publishing business have briefed Balance Recruitment on a Business Analyst role to support the European Controller on month end reporting and decision support. This role will also provide business critical insight to the parent company as well as support the Sales Directors on budgets and forecasts.

• Supervise the provision of relevant, timely and accurate financial and commercial information/analysis for regular divisional and group reporting


• Prepare annual Customer Profitability analysis


• Reconciliation of monthly trade marketing spend with various sales teams


• Support the development of improved forecasting / analysis / general processes.


• Support the European Controller in aspects of their role as required.


• Support the Sales Director in their monthly overheads review, and provide a commentary on material variances.


• Preparation of sales overheads for the quarterly forecast and budget in conjunction with the sales director


• Performing strategic overhead analysis


• Prepare sales reforecast and budgets including agreeing intercompany sales between group companies


• Reconciliation of monthly trade marketing spend with sales team


• Implement process improvements across relevant areas


• Ad Hoc projects

This role would suit either a newly qualified ACA from a top tier practice looking for a step into industry or a qualified accountant ACCA/CIMA with Industry experience looking to progress at a newly qualified level.

Our client is a highly recognisable brand in the Transport & Logistics sector operating across multi-sites within the UK. With a multi-billion pound turnover and a complex reporting structure, the business requires an experienced technical accountant to provide statutory and financial reporting to key stakeholders within the business.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Work with the Group FC – Statutory Accounts and other Financial Accountants to plan and manage the finance team and wider business to produce, review and report, in tight timescales, on five multiple GAAP groups and circa 100 legal entities


• Provide technical financial support within finance and the broader business identifying issues, researching, preparing and presenting technical accounting/issues papers, assessing broader implications and implementing actions in respect of technical accounting or reporting changes


• Provide significant input into the accounts discussion with company board members and stakeholders to ensure timely reviews, query investigation and resolution, approval and signature of statutory and other financial reporting information


• Lead, motivate and undertake detailed reviews of the work of the financial reporting team including preparing detailed reviews of group and entity accounts


• Work alongside the FC with recruitment, management and development of a highly motivated and technically experienced financial reporting team of around 5-7


• Review, develop and implement best practice accounting policy and practices and enhance control processes recommending changes and enabling continuous improvement

The ideal background would be top 4 trained (ACA / ACCA) at a Senior Manager level with solid post qualification experience or someone with significant Financial Reporting experience in Industry. Strong academics and leadership skills are also essential.

Balance is pleased to be representing one of the world’s largest beverage companies on a campaign to find them a commercially driven Business Analyst. This role will lead the Planning and Analysis process for their largest division and will suit someone currently in a channel or business analyst role looking for their next move up the chain.

Reporting to the Business Analysis Director the role directly services the analytical needs of the Senior Management Group and manages a small team of business analysts.

Key Deliverables

• Review and challenge commentary on Brands/Customers’ performance liaising with channel analysts and marketing executives.


• Review and monitoring of monthly reporting & qualitative comments ensuring that budgets are adhered to.


• Analyse complex information quickly, draw meaningful conclusions and provide synthetic financial analysis that enables the various departments (Finance, Marketing, Commercial…) to make appropriate business decisions.


• Provide timely and relevant, clear and formalised information (Monthly Management Book, KPIs…) to the Executive Committee, brand Owners and other stakeholders.


• Propose solutions to increase the effectiveness of communication and co-ordination between Finance and Commercial, Marketing Departments (shadowing, induction presentation, internal finance training etc.)


• Review the internal company processes as requested and provide advice on process improvements

The successful applicant will be CIMA/ACCA/ACA Qualified (or equivalent), hold 2-3 years relevant commercial experience from a large and complex retail, FMCG or manufacturing business and be qualified to match their experience. Strong systems skills such as SAP/Oracle together with above average Excel and use of reporting tool’s is also required.

This is a great opportunity to get in early, joining a young, growing business where your career prospects and earnings are unrestricted.

In the relatively short period of time in which we have been trading, we have established ourselves as a highly successful, professional recruitment business with an excellent reputation within the Legal, Media, Retail and FMCG sectors. Our consultants all specialise in a specific market sector and are encouraged to be creative in the ways they build their reputation within their client and candidate base.

From the outset we have invested heavily in our infrastructure and technology, maximising consultant’s time to focus on their core activities. We provide consultants with all the support they need to be successful, without hovering over their shoulders and micro-managing them.

We are very active in promoting our business, and have appeared in numerous industry publications, both print and online.

We are currently interested to meet with recruitment consultants with some previous experience, who are looking to work in a professional outfit, where consultants are encouraged to focus on long term success rather than chasing for quick wins and cutting corners. We have ideas on the industry sectors we wish to target, however we are very open to considering consultants who have a specific industry they wish to focus on. Previous accountancy recruitment experience is not required, although would be beneficial. We plan to hire for both permanent and temporary desks in the near future.

The directors of the business have many years recruitment experience behind them and know the London recruitment market well. We know what makes a recruitment career enjoyable, and what doesn’t, and manage our business accordingly. We do not encourage excessive working hours and offer a mature working environment where successful recruiters are rewarded with an extremely generous commission scheme. We regularly hold team social events and operate a dress down policy with suits in the office for any candidate/client meetings.

If interested to hear more, please get in touch.