Senior Management Accountant

Why join us?

Record to Report (R2R) - Senior Management Accountant - (Fixed term contract, 12 months initially with a view to going perm) Manchester based 3 days per week

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Management Accountant (R2R) to lead our Record to Report function within a large, dynamic, and fast‑growing law firm. The successful candidate will oversee a team of 9 finance professionals and play a pivotal role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of our financial reporting.

This is a critical leadership role within the finance organisation, responsible for delivering high‑quality management information, strong financial controls, and continuous process improvement.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of management accountants and assistant accountants, ensuring high performance and strong engagement.
• Drive a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement within the R2R team.
• Manage workloads, prioritisation, and resource planning across the team

Record to Report Ownership

• Oversee the full month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes, ensuring all deadlines are met and financial results are robust.
• Review and sign off key balance sheet reconciliations, journals, and accounting schedules.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and internal controls.
• Lead on intercompany accounting and reconciliations.

Management Reporting & Insight

• Deliver accurate and timely management accounts, variance analysis, KPIs, and commentary for senior stakeholders.
• Partner with Finance Business Partners to support financial insight and decision‑making.
• Support budgeting and forecasting cycles with high‑quality historic data and trend analysis.

Financial Controls & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and internal finance policies.
• Own and enhance the internal control framework for R2R processes.
• Act as point of contact for external auditors during audit cycles, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

Process Improvement & Systems Development

• Identify opportunities for automation, simplification, and standardisation within R2R processes.
• Support or lead finance transformation activities, including system upgrades and optimisation (ERP, workflow tools, reconciliation automation).
• Implement best‑practice accounting processes to enhance accuracy and reporting speed.

What will help you succeed in this role?

Essential

Skills & Experience Required

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience managing an R2R or Financial Accounting/Management Accounting function.
• Strong leadership experience with line management responsibility for a multi‑level team.
• Demonstrable experience working in a complex, multi‑entity business environment.
• Excellent technical accounting knowledge and strong attention to detail.
• Highly proficient in Excel and modern finance systems (ERP experience essential).
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Commercially aware with a proactive, problem‑solving mindset.
• Collaborative and supportive leader who builds trust and credibility within the team.

Desirable

• Experience working in professional services or the legal sector.
• Exposure to finance transformation or continuous improvement projects.

Experience of working within a large‑scale organisation (£250m+ turnover).