Head of Finance & Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA)

Overview

Salary: Competitive, dependent upon experience

Hours: Full Time

Office Address: Helix, Edmund Street, Liverpool

Ryans Solicitors Limited is an established and expanding litigation practice specialising in consumer and commercial litigation. With significant investment in the business and ambitious growth plans across several practice areas, we are seeking to appoint an experienced Head of Finance & Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA).

This is a key senior management appointment, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to shape the firm's financial strategy, governance and compliance framework whilst leading the finance function.

Working directly with the Chief Executive Officer and Board, the successful applicant will play a central role in supporting the firm's continued growth and ensuring the highest standards of financial management and regulatory compliance.

The Role

The Head of Finance & COFA will assume responsibility for the overall management of the firm's finance function, combining strategic financial leadership with regulatory oversight.

The successful candidate will become the firm's Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) and will lead the finance team, ensuring full compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules whilst delivering timely financial information to support business decision-making and reporting to external funders and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the firm's Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA).
• Lead and manage the finance department.
• Supervise the Legal Cashier and finance support staff.
• Ensure compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and all financial regulatory requirements.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and Board reports.
• Produce budgets, financial forecasts and cashflow projections.
• Oversee client and office account reconciliations.
• Manage banking relationships and treasury functions.
• Maintain robust financial controls and governance procedures.
• Liaise with external accountants, auditors, insurers and regulatory bodies.
• Prepare financial information and reporting for litigation funders and lenders.
• Manage VAT, taxation and statutory reporting obligations.
• Support the CEO and Board with strategic financial planning.
• Identify financial and regulatory risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
• Develop systems and processes to support the continued growth of the business.

Essential Experience

Applicants should demonstrate

• Previous senior finance experience within a solicitors' practice.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the SRA Accounts Rules.
• Experience as a COFA or Deputy COFA, or the ability to satisfy the SRA's suitability requirements for appointment.
• Experience preparing management accounts and financial reports.
• Budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management experience.
• Experience managing finance teams.
• Thorough understanding of legal cashiering procedures.
• Strong commercial awareness and financial analysis skills.
• Excellent organisational and communication abilities.
• The ability to work effectively with senior management and external stakeholders.

Desirable Experience

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience within litigation or claimant legal practices.
• Experience working with litigation funding, lenders or external investors.
• Knowledge of Proclaim or similar legal practice management systems.
• Experience implementing finance systems and process improvements.
• Previous responsibility for annual audits and statutory reporting.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will

• Demonstrate integrity, professionalism and sound judgement.
• Be capable of operating as a senior leader within the business.
• Have exceptional attention to detail.
• Possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Be confident engaging with regulators, auditors, funders and banking partners.
• Be proactive, commercially minded and solution focused.
• Thrive in a growing and fast-paced legal environment.

What We Offer

• A genuine senior leadership position within an ambitious and expanding law firm.
• The opportunity to shape the future financial and governance structure of the business.
• Direct involvement in strategic planning and business growth.
• Close working relationship with the Chief Executive Officer and Board.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Excellent long-term career prospects.

If you are an experienced legal finance professional looking to combine strategic leadership with regulatory responsibility, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Work Location: In person