Senior Finance Executive

With over 300 years of legal experience, BDB Pitmans is a well-established top 60 firm with offices in London, Southampton, Reading and Cambridge. Across these locations, we are proud of our client focused approach which is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission statement, Building Better, shape what’s important to business, people and society and we are delighted to work alongside a diverse range of clients who are creating new ideas or learning for a better future.Above all, our focus is on doing things right and doing them well. So we aim to build longstanding and mutually beneficial client relationships based on trust and genuine partnership.What really sets us apart is our friendly, open and inclusive culture. People join and stay at BDB Pitmans as they get the benefits of challenging work in a supportive and professional atmosphere alongside a healthy work/life balance, reflected in our flexible working and target hours.ED&IAt BDB Pitmans, our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion sits at the heart of who we are as a firm as we are passionate about ensuring we create a work environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and fully supported to be themselves. Our ED&I work, though, goes beyond how we work with our colleagues. Our firm values – we act with respect, we work in partnership, and we find solutions – are deeply embedded in ED&I principles, and heavily inform how we approach client relationships, as well as external partnerships.
The team
The Finance Department handle all client and office payments as well as management reporting. Benefits (including but not limited to) 25 days holiday (with the option to purchase up to 5 more) Medical cash plan Pension scheme (firm will match up to 7%)
The opportunity
To provide efficient and accurate service support for daily financial transactions, primarily to the fee earning departments and their clients but also to support departments. The role will be based in Reading but will involve travel to other offices when required. The main responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following, as required:Assist the Finance Manager in the supervision of day-to-day transactional processes – client and office bank payments / receipts and disbursements, including counsel fees.Assist the Finance Manager with other tasks as requiredEnsure the finance helpdesk and other queries are dealt with promptly and effectivelyEnsure that Unclaimed Funds list is kept up to date at all timesCheck all bank payments for accuracy prior to releaseBank payment authoriser and cheque signatory (subject to agreed limits)Daily banking of Client & Office Account receipts and updating ledgersUpdating ledgers for Client & Office account payment requestsRecording disbursements invoices, including counsel feesBank reconciliationsDealing with transfers of funds between accounts and mattersDealing with queries from the fee earning departmentsHelping to keep department filing up to dateAssisting with other ad-hoc tasks as requiredProcessing supplier invoices and arranging supplier paymentsEnsure that the purchase ledger inbox is kept up to dateDealing with staff expensesDealing with petty cash transactionsProviding cover to process client and other office account payment requests including electronic cheque printing as required
Who we are looking for
Knowledge/QualificationsGCSE/‘A’ level standard or equivalent to include English and Maths GCSE as a minimum. ExperienceComputer literate. (Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word)Experience of working in a Legal Cashier or similar role in a small to medium sized legal practice for a period of 3+ years minimum (desirable)Can demonstrate a good working knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules and VAT (essential)Working knowledge of Elite 3E (desirable)Experience of dealing with Counsel’s Fee Notes and liaising with Chambers Fee Clerks (desirable)Able to perform the role with the minimum supervisionSkillsHigh level of numeracyBasic accounting knowledge and a good understanding of double entry book-keepingArticulateExcellent attention to detail and accuracyGood communication skills (written and verbally)Demonstrates a methodical approach to work and can adhere to multiple and competing deadlinesStrong team player – ability to work well as part of a small team and during periods of high pressure (essential)Ability to deal with confidential information
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