Client Finance Team Leader

Main information

Term Type:
Permanent Fulltime:
True External Department:
Business Services Location Text:
Ipswich

About us Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups:
Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.  Roll On Friday  recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026.With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy.

Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership.

The team you will join

The Client and Business Finance team sits within our wider Business Services Division. The team supports the firm through expert financial management across client and internal operations. We are a collaborative team made up of Client Finance, Business Finance, Finance Systems and Credit Control, working together to deliver clarity, compliance and efficiency. The focus is on enabling secure, transparent and future-ready financial processes that align with the firm’s strategic goals.

The work you will be doing

Deputise for the Client Finance Manager Supervise and support Client Finance Assistants Oversee and coordinate daily processing across receipts, payments, billing and credit notes

Authorise and release payments and transfers within agreed time frames

Support reconciliations and compliance checks, ensuring consistency with financial controls and regulatory requirements

Provide guidance and oversight to team members and fee earners

Manage team workflow and priorities to ensure continuity of service

Identify and implement improvements to processes and controls

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

What we are looking for Experience in legal accounts or similar professional services environment.

Strong organisational and administrative skills.

People management and leadership.

Excellent communication and prioritisation.

Strong IT skills.

Accuracy and attention to detail.

Hybrid Working Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. During your 3 month probation period, there will be a requirement to be in the office full time whilst you are developing in the role. Once you have successfully passed probation, this role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.

We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application. Benefits As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service

Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance Paid CSR Day Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave Subsidised gym membership

Electric car scheme

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