Finance Manager

Are you an experienced Finance Manager looking for an opportunity to make a real impact within a well-established and growing law firm? Berry & Lamberts LLP is seeking a knowledgeable and hands-on finance professional to lead our finance function, oversee compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules, and provide strategic financial support to the partnership. This is a key role within the business offering the opportunity to shape financial processes, manage a dedicated team, and contribute to the continued success of a respected regional firm.

Berry & Lamberts LLP is a three-office firm of solicitors based in Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Paddock Wood, providing private client, commercial property, litigation, family, residential property and company commercials services to individuals and businesses across West Kent and East Sussex as well as further a field. As the firm continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to take ownership of the firm's finance function.

Tunbridge Wells based, with occasional travel between offices in Sevenoaks and Paddock Wood

The Finance Manager will lead the firm's finance function, reporting directly to the Managing Partner and managing a small team ofone full time and onepart-time finance/cashiering staff. This is a hands-on role combining day-to-day legal cashiering and SRA Accounts Rules compliance with broader financial management, reporting, and control responsibilities, alongside line management of the finance team. The successful candidate will need to be comfortable both handling technical finance work personally and delegating, supervising, and reviewing the work of others.

• Manage, supervise, and develop finance/cashiering staff, allocating work to ensure adequate cover and continuity (including during holidays and absence).
• Set and review workloads, conduct regular one-to-ones and appraisals, and support training and development of the team.
• Review and check work completed by the team to ensure accuracy and compliance before finalisation.
• Act as the escalation point for queries or issues raised by the finance team.

• Oversee all client and office account transactions, ensuring strict compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules 2019 across both offices, whether processed personally or by the finance team.
• Perform or review daily bank reconciliations for client and office accounts.
• Oversee client money receipts and payments, transfers between client and office account, and inter-client transfers.
• Maintain oversight of client ledgers and ensure no breaches of the Accounts Rules; identify, report, and remedy any breaches promptly in line with firm policy.
• Act as the firm's main point of contact for SRA Accounts Rules compliance matters, including liaison with the COFA (Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration).
• Prepare for and support the firm's annual accountant's report (SRA Accounts Rules Report).
• Monitor and control aged client balances, dormant balances, and residual balances.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow reporting, for the Managing Partner and partners.
• Manage billing, work-in-progress (WIP), and debtor control, working with fee earners to supporttimelybilling and cash collection.
• Prepare and monitor the annual budget and forecasts; report variances to the Managing Partner.
• Oversee VAT returns and ensure compliance with HMRC requirements.
• Manage the firm's payroll, including partner drawings, PAYE, and pension auto-enrolment obligations.
• Manage supplier payments, expenses, and general office account transactions.
• Maintain the firm's fixed asset register and oversee insurance renewals relevant…