SOUTH SQUARE FINANCE MANAGER CANDIDATE BRIEF

Transcription

1 SOUTH SQUARE FINANCE MANAGER CANDIDATE BRIEF 1

2 SOUTH SQUARE FINANCE MANAGER 65,000-75,000 plus benefits The Role Due to an internal reorganisation, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified accountant (CA/CIMA/ACCA or equivalent) to fill the role of Finance Manager at South Square, a barristers chambers located in Gray s Inn, London. Reporting to the Chambers Director, the post holder will be responsible for the finance function in Chambers; this has two strands: the management of the finance function of the Chambers operating company (Chambertin Services Unlimited) and the provision of support to Members of Chambers management of the financial aspects of their practices. It is planned that the post holder will receive a comprehensive handover from the current Finance Manager, who is leaving Chambers. South Square South Square is a highly-regarded barristers set in Gray s Inn, London. The set has 41 Members, of whom 21 are QCs. The set undertakes work in the area of business and commercial law, with specialist expertise in the field of insolvency and restructuring. Many of the set s members have significant overseas and cross-border practices. Details of Members and the set s work can be found on the website at: The Candidate The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with a professional services background and experience in general small company finance matters. A detailed job and person specification is attached to this brief. Chambers has a small team of 20 staff, comprising general management, practice management and clerking, business development and front-ofhouse teams. It is important that the successful candidate has a can-do 2

3 attitude and is willing to work flexibly when required. Candidates must have fluency in written and spoken English, and have the right to live and work in the UK. South Square regrets that it is unable to assist candidates with applications to live and work in the UK. Compensation and Benefits This role will attract a salary of around 65,000 to 75,000 (depending on experience). A contributory workplace pension scheme is in operation, although Chambers would be willing to pay equivalent sums into an employee s pre-existing pension scheme, subject to rules and limits including successful completion of a probationary period. Chambers operates a death-in-service scheme of up to four times annual salary, and a private health care scheme is available if the employee wishes to take advantage of it (although there would be a tax liability). A season ticket loan scheme is also in operation. Annual leave is circa 25 days plus bank holidays, and additional leave days are gained after five years service. How to Apply and the Recruitment Process Applications should be by comprehensive CV (no more than four pages) together with a covering letter of no more than two pages; the covering letter should explain why you believe you would be able to fulfil the role as specified below. Evidence of claimed qualifications is not required at the application stage, but will be checked prior to any offer of employment, together with proof of identity and the right to remain and work in the UK. Applications, which should include a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (copy attached), should arrive by no later than Wednesday 25 May 2016 (late applications will not be considered) and sent by to: Ron Barclay-Smith at ronsmith@southsquare.com The words FINANCE MANAGER should be put in the subject line of the covering . All applications will be carefully considered and a long list will be drawn up. Long-listed applicants will be invited for a short interview, after which a shortlist will be created, and shortlisted candidates will be invited back for a second interview. It may be that a final list of two or three candidates will be invited to give a presentation to members of Chambers. Any prospective applicants who wish to informally discuss the role should contact the Chambers Director, Ron Barclay-Smith, on

4 Diversity and Inclusion South Square welcomes applications from all sections of the community. All applicants are requested to complete the attached Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and include it with their applications. These forms will be detached from the application on receipt and the details only used in aggregate for monitoring purposes. Attachments: 1. Job Description. 2. Person Specification. 3. Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. 4

5 FINANCE MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION Profile The Finance Manager is responsible for the overall management of the finance function in Chambers. Key aspects of the role include service to members of Chambers (MoC), reporting on key financial performance indicators, delivery of monthly management accounts, management information reports, financial forecasting, book-keeping, payroll support, budgeting and all VAT matters. Key Responsibilities Preparation of the Chambers annual budget, any cost centre budgets and/or departmental budgets and capital expenditure budgets. Regular meetings with budget holders as required. Production of monthly management accounts for perusal by the Executive Committee. Half yearly out-turn forecasting. Projections and information to support business planning and investment appraisals. Management of Chambertin s bank accounts. Monthly cash flow forecasts. Maintenance of fixed asset register. Calculation and posting of prepayments and accruals. Production of service company (Chambertin) accounts. Preparation of reconciliations & supporting schedules. Preparation of audit files and management of audit process. Assisting with key projects as required including development of budgeting and forecasting models, key client reports and financial reporting dashboards. Process cheques and BACS payments in respect of MoCs fees and work done. Issue of receipts to instructing solicitors on behalf of MoC. Deal with any VAT issues (zero rating fee notes etc). Submit quarterly VAT returns. Ensure fee notes are issued on a regular basis. 5

6 Chase aged debt. Enter supplier invoices on SAGE. Raise and issue cheques and BACS payments to pay suppliers. Reconcile bank statement and credit card statements on monthly basis. Calculate and recharge MoC for their accommodation. Calculate and recharge MoC their Receipts charge. Recharge MoC any expenses. Provide MoC with their monthly payment, work done, aged debt and VAT figures. Provide MoC with their annual financial data for their accountants. Provide EC with monthly finance pack (monthly aged debt, work done, payment summaries, cash at bank forecast and management reports). Manage BARSTAT reporting (training will be given) 6

7 FINANCE MANAGER PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Educated to degree or equivalent level. Possession of a suitable accountancy qualification (CA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent recognised by British regulatory authorities). Fluent in written and spoken English. Right to live and work in the UK (te: South Square will not seek residence/work rights for foreign nationals). Professional services experience or background. IT literate: experience in the use of Office and accounting software. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with barristers, colleagues, suppliers and auditors. Capable of planning and implementing work schedules, priorities and improvements to finance processes. High level of attention to detail and accuracy. Desirable Experience of the Meridian Law Connected software system (if not, training will be given). Experience of working in a UK law firm or barristers chambers. Experience of Sage accounting software (if not, training will be given). 7

8 Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire (Strictly Private and Confidential) South Square wishes to ensure that we are able to recruit, develop and retain the most talented barristers, pupils and staff to our chambers. We value the diversity of backgrounds, skills and experiences found in our chambers, and actively promote an inclusive culture where all our members and staff are able to flourish. As part of meeting our commitments to equality and diversity, our chambers collects and analyses statistical information on all those that apply for positions here. This enables us to ensure that we continue to attract and select our pupils and members solely on the basis of talent and their potential to succeed. The information that you are asked to provide in the section below will be treated in the strictest confidence. To provide data consistency, the information requested covers those areas covered in the Bar Standard Board s Equality Rules and Guidance. It will be held confidentially by Chambers and will be used solely for statistical monitoring purposes: the answers you give to the questionnaire will not be disclosed to the selection panel. You are not obliged to answer all or any of the questions but in providing this information you will help us to ensure that our recruitment is fair and objective for all. Q1. Please tick a box below to indicate whether you are: Male Female Q2. From the list of age bands below please tick a box to indicate the category that includes your current age in years: Under Q3. What is your ethnic group? Choose one of the groups below to indicate your ethnic group (please tick one box only): White British/English/Welsh/rth ern Irish /Scottish Irish Gypsy or Irish Traveller Any other White background 8

9 Black/African/Caribbean/Black British Caribbean African Any Other Black/Caribbean/Black British background Mixed White/Black Caribbean White/Black/African White/Asian Other Mixed Asian or Asian British Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Chinese Any Other Asian background Other ethnic group Arab Any other ethnic group Q4. Do you consider yourself to have a disability? (The Equality Act 2010 defines a person as having a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial long term, adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day activities. Long term means that the impairment is likely to or has lasted for 12 months or more). (a) Do you consider yourself to have a disability according to the definition above? Yes (b) Are your day-to-day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months? Yes, limited a lot Yes, limited a little Q5. What is your sexual orientation? Bisexual Gay Man Gay woman/lesbian Heterosexual/straight Other 9

10 Q6.What is your religion or belief? religion or belief Buddhist Christian (all denominations) Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh Any other religion Q7. What is your socio-economic background? (a) If you went to university (to study a BA, BSc course or higher) were you part of the first generation of your family to do so? Yes Did not attend university (b) Did you mainly attend a state or fee-paying school between the ages of 11 18? State Fee paying (c) If you attended a fee-paying school, did you ever receive any kind of financial award to cover 50% or more of the school fees? Yes Q8. Do you have caring responsibilities? (a) Are you a primary carer for a child or children under 18? Yes (b) Do you look after or give any help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of either: Long term physical or mental ill health/disability Problems related to old age (Do not count anything you do as part of your paid employment). Yes, 1 19 hours a week Yes, hours a week Yes, 50 or more hours a week 10