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? :

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

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).