SOUTH SQUARE
FINANCE MANAGER
CANDIDATE BRIEF
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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:
http://www.southsquare.com
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”
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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 email to:
Ron Barclay-Smith at [email protected]
The words “FINANCE MANAGER” should be put in the subject line of the
covering email.
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 0207 696 9900.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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 (Note: 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).
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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 25
25‐34
35‐44
45‐54
55‐64
65+
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/North
ern Irish /Scottish
Irish
Gypsy or Irish Traveller
Any other White background
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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
No
(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
No
Q5. What is your sexual orientation?
Bisexual
Gay Man
Gay woman/lesbian
Heterosexual/straight
Other
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Q6.What is your religion or belief?
No 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
No
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
No
Q8. Do you have caring responsibilities?
(a) Are you a primary carer for a child or children under 18?
Yes
No
(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).
No
Yes, 1‐19 hours a week
Yes, 20‐49 hours a week
Yes, 50 or more hours a
week
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