Senior Finance & Operations Manager

SUMMARY:
LEAD AND MANAGE FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS, AND INITIATIVE ACROSS MULTIPLE LEGAL SERVICES ENTITIES.

POSITION INFO:

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Senior Finance & Operations Manager to lead and manage financial and business operations, and initiatives across multiple legal services entities. This role requires direct involvement in daily transactions, not just oversight or delegation. The ideal candidate will be comfortable navigating a multi-entity and multi-currency environment, managing trust accounts, and ensuring compliance with South African regulatory frameworks, particularly those governed by the Legal Practice Council (LPC), with financial and operational demands.

Qualifications & Experience

• CA(SA), CIMA, BCom Accounting, or equivalent financial qualification.
• Minimum 7 years in senior financial and operational roles, preferably within legal or professional services.
• Experienced in managing multi-entity, multi-currency environments and financial consolidations.
• Strong understanding of legal billing, compliance frameworks, and director team remuneration structures.
• Proficiency in ERP systems such as Business Central, Practice Manager Pro, and Equinox (WorkAnyWhere), with an understanding of legal trust accounting systems.
• Experience in financial modelling, planning, and audit coordination.
• Advanced Excel skills (with the transition to Power BI in the near future to assist

  Key Responsibilities

  Financial Management

  Oversee and manage all aspects of financial operations across four entities.

  • Manage and oversee reconciling trust accounts for two firms, confirming accuracy in trust creditor balances and client investment reconciliations.
  • Oversee and participate in weekly bank reconciliations and monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
  • Work with the finance team to ensure reports are accurate.
  • Manage accruals, prepayments, and ensure accurate day-to-day transaction processing.
  • Support the accounts team in addressing and resolving queries from professional and support staff.
  • Address and resolve operational and financial queries from Director team and staff.
  • Review and approve all trust and business payments, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
  • Prepare and complete monthly financial reports, including consolidating financial results for three entities and a separate entity.
  • Manage cost allocations, inter-company billing, and cost recharges.
  • Conduct fee earner performance tracking and profitability analysis.
  • Oversee payroll processing for four entities.
  • Monitor and manage billing and collections across all firms.
  • Forecast short- and medium-term cash flows, plan for upcoming expenses, and manage liquidity.
  • Review daily cash flow reports and bank balances to ensure financial health.
  • Operate in a multi-currency environment: different currency bank accounts, international incoming receipts, international payments, SARB applications.
  • Conduct foreign exchange revaluations and manage risks from exchange rate changes when required.
  • Ensure timely submission of VAT returns (x4) and other tax filings.

  Operational Oversight

  • Respond promptly to Director team requests for financial data, operational support, and other ad hoc queries.
  • Supervise the finance staff and, in collaboration with the office manager, oversee administrative personnel to ensure efficient office operations, ensuring facilities are maintained, secure, and adequately resourced.
  • Assist with payroll oversight, managed by the office manager.
  • Conduct regular IT systems checks.
  • Lead technology upgrades and system initiatives to improve efficiency.
  • Resolve IT issues or escalate to vendors as needed.
  • Oversee vendor and contract management, including renewals.
  • Ensure smooth coordination of shared services across unrelated businesses.

  Compliance & Audits

  • Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies, financial regulations, and legal standards.
  • Ensure compliance with Legal Practice Council (LPC) rules for trust accounts and client investments.
  • Lead and coordinate annual business audits (x4) and LPC trust audits (x2).
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date trust accounting records.
  • Ensure systems and processes meet the standards set by the Legal Practice Act.
  • Coordinate with external auditors to ensure the two Annual Statement on Trust Accounts are submitted on time with all necessary compliance representations.
  • Ensure proper handling of client funds.
  • Identify and mitigate risks related to fraud, theft, and financial mismanagement.

  Strategic & Business Development Support

  • Support fee earner & director remuneration models, and profitability planning.
  • Lead system process improvement initiatives, including automation of manual or repetitive tasks.
  • Drive the development and implementation of shared services strategies to support multiple businesses.
  • Provide financial input into business decisions and planning.
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  Skills & Attributes

  • Good communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage at all levels.
  • High integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive financial and operational matters.
  • Demonstrated expertise in financial and operational systems and management thereof.
  • Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
  • Strong problem-solving capabilities with attention to detail.

This amazing position is based in Cape Town city centre. If you are ready to join a dynamic organisation and can add value to an already successful team, we would like to hear from you. Suitable candidates welcome to forward your CV by applying to this ad and suitable candidates will be emailed an application form and we will contact you to discuss your CV, skillset and position. Thank You.